European countries are actively working on changes to their migration legislation, as states are interested in attracting qualified personnel. Find out what changes were introduced in Sweden in 2024 and what to expect in 2025

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Throughout 2024, Sweden’s policy has been aimed at making it easier for employers to attract talent from around the world to move to Sweden, as the country competes with other countries for international talent, which is good for the economy and future growth.

On the main results of the country’s policy in 2024 and the outlook for 2025 and beyond.

Processing times for work permit applications in Sweden have changed

The introduction of different categories of permits has undoubtedly made it more accessible and the process of applying for a work permit more efficient.

For highly qualified specialists, this means that the processing time is reduced to a maximum of 30 days, which is a significant improvement that should reassure employers. In comparison, in previous years this period took several months.

However, the decisive factor for a faster application is its accuracy. Errors or missing documents can extend the processing time by up to four months.

Changes to Swedish salary levels in 2024 for foreigners

Requirements have been introduced that will have a financial impact on employers - the minimum wage level was increased to 80% of the average salary in November 2023, with a further increase on June 24. While this has led to an 8% increase in rejected applications from the Migration Agency, it also means a potential increase in the quality of the talent attracted.

Change in permanent residence status

Sweden has introduced stricter rules for applying for permanent residence in Sweden, such as:

- increased requirement for self-support and family members,

- requirement for permanent employment of spouses

- automatic extension of the permit for accompanying children over 18 years of age has been abolished.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

What changes to migration law should you be prepared for in Sweden in 2025?

Looking ahead to mid-2025, we can expect further changes in Sweden. These include:

- Stricter reporting requirements to the Migration Agency.

- Increased salary requirements.

- Complete abolition of changing permit types, for example, switching from an asylum permit to a work permit will be prohibited.

These changes will affect employers and make it more difficult for them to attract talent for entry-level positions.

EU Blue Card and Standard Work Permit in Sweden

An interesting fact is the narrowing of the gap between the standard work permit and the EU Blue Card.

In particular, from 1 January 2025, the salary threshold for the Swedish Blue Card has been significantly reduced and it has been made easier to switch from another type of permit to the EU Blue Card.

The advantage of the Blue Card is that the employee is no longer tied to one employer. When changing employers, you do not need to apply for a new work permit, you just need to notify them.

On the other hand, this could potentially mean that the employer could lose the talent they invested in.

Sweden places a high priority on attracting and retaining highly skilled workers, which speaks to the important role that employers and HR professionals play in shaping Sweden’s future.

As a reminder, Sweden is an economically developed EU country that has been experiencing a growing shortage of talent in recent years. That is why local employers are actively looking for international talent and sponsoring work visas. We have already talked about what an expat needs to find a job in Sweden in 2024 and which industries are experiencing a shortage of workers.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To organize a safe move to Sweden, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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