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Sweden work permits

Checklist: residence permits for a worker's family in Sweden

When someone moves to Sweden on a work permit, their partner and children can apply for residence permits as family members. The family usually applies together with the main applicant: in the Swedish Migration Agency's e-service, the person with the job includes the family in their own application, and each family member adds their own documents.

The main applicant must show they can support the family. Under the rules from 1 October 2026, a set amount must be left each month after tax and rent: 8,116 SEK for one adult, 13,408 SEK for a couple, plus an amount for each child that is reduced by any child benefit. Extensions of permits granted before 1 October 2026 keep the older amounts when the extension is registered by 1 October 2027.

This checklist is the same plan Settio builds for every family case: what each family member provides, when, and what happens after the decision, from the residence permit card to school and the extension. Steps that only apply to some families (a spouse, a cohabiting partner, a child with two guardians) are marked.

  1. 1

    Show that the family can be supported

    The family

    When the family applies together with the main applicant, the main applicant must have an income that supports themselves and the family: after the rent is paid, enough must be left each month for the family's living costs, at the amounts Migrationsverket publishes. Since 1 October 2026 the requirement is checked again when the family extends, and income from a subsidised job or unemployment benefit does not count.

    • Rental or ownership contract
    • Main applicant's employment contract
  2. 2

    Comprehensive health insurance for a stay of one year or lessOnly some families

    The family

    Since 1 October 2026, a family member of an EU Blue Card or ICT permit holder who will stay in Sweden for one year or less needs comprehensive health insurance that covers healthcare and hospital care in Sweden. Skip this step for the family of a work permit holder, or when the stay is longer than a year.

    • Health insurance certificate
  3. 3

    Marriage or partnership certificateOnly some families

    The family

    For a spouse or registered partner: the certificate that shows the marriage or partnership.

    • Marriage certificate
  4. 4

    Evidence of living togetherOnly some families

    The family

    For a cohabiting partner: documents that show the couple has lived together.

    • Evidence of living together
  5. 5

    Birth certificate showing the parent as guardianOnly some families

    The family

    For a child: a birth certificate that shows the parent applying with the child is the child's guardian, and the adoption documents if the child is adopted.

    • Birth certificate
  6. 6

    Consent from the other guardianOnly some families

    The family

    When the child has two guardians and the other guardian stays in the home country, the application needs that guardian's consent to the child moving to Sweden, with a copy of their passport or other identity document.

    • Consent from the other guardian
    • Other guardian's passport (copy)
  7. 7

    Family member included in the main applicant's application

    The family · With the main applicant's application

    The family applies together with the main applicant: in Migrationsverket's e-service the main applicant includes the family in their own application. This step closes by itself when the main applicant's application is submitted. A family member who joins later applies separately.

    • Passport (family member)
    • Power of attorney
  8. 8

    Fingerprints, photo and residence permit card

    The family

    Everyone granted a permit for longer than three months gives fingerprints and is photographed, then collects the residence permit card.

  9. 9

    Plan school or preschoolOnly some families

    The family

    Contact the municipality (kommun) where the family will live about a place in preschool or school, and any international school you are considering.

  10. 10

    Right to workOnly some families

    The family

    Adult family members granted a residence permit, and children who turn 16 during the year, may work in Sweden. Check the residence permit card before starting a job.

  11. 11

    Show again that the family can be supported

    The family

    Since 1 October 2026 the maintenance requirement also applies when the family applies to extend. Before the extension, check that the income left after rent still covers the whole family at the amounts Migrationsverket publishes, and have the payslips and the housing contract ready. Income from a subsidised job or unemployment benefit does not count.

    • Main permit holder's recent payslips
    • Rental or ownership contract
  12. 12

    Extend together with the main permit holder

    The family

    A family member's permit runs for the same time as the main permit holder's, never longer than the passport is valid. Apply for the extension together with the main permit holder, before the permit expires.

    • Extension application receipt

Run this plan in Settio

Settio builds this plan for each family, collects the documents in the employee portal and reminds everyone before each date.

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Sources

Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Facts checked 15 October 2026. About this information