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What is the salary threshold for a Swedish work permit?
From 1 June 2026, the monthly salary for a work permit must be at least 90% of the median salary in Sweden at the time of the application. The median is published by Statistics Sweden (SCB) and updated each June. With the median at SEK 38,300, the requirement is SEK 34,470 a month.
That is a floor, not the whole test. The salary and the other terms must also be at least on par with Swedish collective agreements or common practice in the occupation or industry, so the real minimum for a role can be higher.
Who the new requirement applies to
- First applications decided on or after 1 June 2026, including applications made before that date and decided after it.
- Extensions where the current permit was granted after 1 June 2026.
- Permits granted before 1 June 2026: extension applications made between 1 June and 1 December 2026 are assessed under the previous maintenance requirement. From 2 December 2026 every extension application must meet the new salary requirement.
Exemptions: 75% of the median
Some occupations and groups need at least 75% of the median instead, which is SEK 28,725 a month. They include occupations on the Government's list (for example assistant nurses, childcare assistants, care assistants, forestry workers, welders, electrical distribution technicians and IT support and systems technicians), students and researchers with a Swedish residence permit applying for their first work permit, people with temporary protection, doctors, dentists and nurses with foreign qualifications who are completing Swedish certification, and employees of certain start-up tech or life science companies (under five years old, fewer than 100 employees). The exemption lasts for the permit's duration. When extending, check that the occupation is still on the list. If it is not, the full requirement applies.
From 1 June 2026, no work permit can be granted to work as a forest berry picker or as a personal assistant.
What counts as salary
- Recurring overtime pay and pay for inconvenient hours count if they are stated in the contract.
- Benefits such as free food or accommodation do not count.
How the median has moved
| Median updated | Median salary | 90% | 75% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 June 2026 | SEK 38,300 | SEK 34,470 | SEK 28,725 |
| 17 June 2025 | SEK 37,100 | SEK 33,390 | SEK 27,825 |
| 18 June 2024 | SEK 35,600 | SEK 32,040 | SEK 26,700 |
Migrationsverket uses the median that was current when the application was made.
How to check a role
- Check the salary against the requirement that applies to this application: 90% of the median, or 75% if the occupation or person is exempt.
- Find out which collective agreement or industry practice applies to the role, and make sure the salary and terms are at least on par with it.
- Only count supplements that are recurring and written into the contract.
- Remember that the trade union is given the chance to comment on the terms of employment.
After the permit is granted
The requirements must be met throughout the permit period. Migrationsverket can inspect employers to check that the salary and insurance that formed the basis for the permit are still in place, and if the terms are not met it opens an investigation into whether to revoke the permit. An employer that does not provide the requested information may be fined.
Settio keeps each permit holder's salary and permit details side by side, so a change that could affect the permit is visible early.
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card has its own threshold: 1.25 times the average gross salary, which is SEK 53,625 a month since 15 July 2026. See our EU Blue Card guide.
Summary
- From 1 June 2026: at least 90% of the median salary, currently SEK 34,470 a month.
- Exempt occupations and groups: at least 75%, currently SEK 28,725.
- Permits granted earlier: the old rules apply to extensions until 1 December 2026, the new requirement from 2 December 2026.
- The terms must also match collective agreements or common practice.
- The requirements apply for the whole permit period.
How Settio keeps permits on track
Most permit problems start with a date or a salary nobody was watching. Settio helps employers and immigration agencies watch both, for every person, before they move, after they arrive and at every renewal:
- Permit and salary monitoring tracks every expiry date and the salary each permit was granted on, and turns a dip or a missing month into a follow-up step with an owner.
- Plans for every case, from the first application to the extension, with each deadline counted for you.
- Your whole international workforce at a glance: import the people already on permits and see their risks in minutes.
Try it with your own people: see plans and start for free.
Sources
5 official sources
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