From June 1, 2022, Sweden will have a new law on labor immigration. The rules provide for the introduction of an employment contract requirement and an obligation for employers to report any deterioration in employment conditions. The purpose of the changes that are being made now is to counter the exploitation of workers, as well as to attract and maintain international competence.

In addition, the new legislation means:

• There is now a new residence permit for highly qualified and well-educated people who intend to look for work or start a business in Sweden;
• An employment contract is required to obtain a work permit, which means that offers from the employer are no longer enough;
• A work permit can be issued for a period of more than four years;
• Certain employers may be required to report any deterioration in employment conditions;
• The Swedish Migration Agency will be able to require the employer to report the working conditions of the person who has been granted a work permit, and an employer who fails to do so must pay a fine;
• An alimony requirement is introduced for family members of employees;
• An entry visa can be issued to those who need to go abroad on a business trip when considering an application for an extended work permit (not valid for personal travel);
• It is possible to refrain from revoking a work permit if the deficiencies and deviations are minor or if it would be unwise to revoke the permit;

The crime of organized human trafficking also includes work permits issued on the basis of false information.

It should be noted that the new rules do not apply to the following categories: seasonal workers; au-pair (cultural exchange); EU Blue Card; ICT permits; researchers; professional athletes; volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps; summer work for young people (so-called Working Holiday visa).

All of these categories usually have a standard list of documents for registration.

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To go as a seasonal worker to Sweden, you need:

• have a valid passport (if your passport expires, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a permit longer than your valid passport);
• an employer registered in Sweden must offer temporary work as a seasonal worker;
• have access to housing of the appropriate standard;
• draw up or apply for comprehensive health insurance in Sweden;
• be able to prove that you are qualified to practice in Sweden if the job belongs to a regulated profession;
• intend to leave Sweden after the permit expires.
• It is worth noting that for those who plan to go as berry pickers, you also need to apply for this permit. There are several options for such work.

The first - as an independent individual - about the conditions and design of this type can be read here. If you have a representative who applies for a residence and work permit for you, it is the representative who manages the contacts with the Swedish Migration Agency.

The second - if you are hired by a foreign company. A Swedish company can buy a berry picking service from a foreign company. The foreign company that hired you must have a branch in Sweden. It is the client or employer in Sweden who must guarantee what working conditions apply during your work. If you work for a foreign recruitment agency that does not operate in Sweden, a recruitment agreement applies. This applies regardless of whether a collective agreement has been signed or not.

The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) has decided that the Swedish Municipal Workers' Union (SKAF) has an organization and agreement that is right for you as a berry picker. This means that it is SCAF that will have the opportunity to declare the terms of employment.

Read more about the conditions at the link.

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If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and want to work as an Au Pair, you need to have a residence permit. Citizens of certain countries also need a visa to work for less than three months. The purpose of the stay should be to improve your language skills and knowledge of Sweden, and you should collect the following documents:

• have a valid passport (if your passport expires soon, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a permit longer than the validity of your passport)
• be 18 but not 30 years old at the time of the decision
• have a family agreement in Sweden stating that you will work with light homework and take care of the children for a maximum of 25 hours per week (time for homework and study cannot exceed 40 hours per week together)
• have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance valid for care in Sweden
• have enough money to stay in Sweden and to pay for a trip home
• not have accompanying family members.

You can read more about this type of permit on the website.

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You can work as a researcher too.

This requires:

• have a valid passport (if your passport expires soon, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a permit longer than the validity of your passport)
• have a placement agreement with the research funding body (the party receiving the research work) approved by the Swedish Research Council. External link opens in a new window.
• have enough money to stay in Sweden and to pay for a trip home
• have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance (if you will be in Sweden for a maximum of one year).

You can read about the design of this type at the link. 

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Those who intend to work as a coach or athletes in the country must meet the following requirements:

• have a valid passport (if your passport expires, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a permit longer than your valid passport)
• play at least in Division 1 (for men) or in Damallsvenskan or Elitettan (for women) if you are a footballer. The same requirements apply if you are going to work as a football coach
• play or train in Basketligan or Basketettan (for women and men) if you are a basketball player. The same requirements apply if you are going to work as a basketball coach
• you have a written contract with a club or association in Sweden that is affiliated with the Swedish Sports Confederation, signed by both parties
• offered a monthly salary of at least 14,300 Swedish kronor before tax
• have health insurance and accident insurance that is in line with the customs in your sport and at your level
• The Swedish Sports Confederation must confirm that your work is vital to the positive development of sport.

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Those who have received an internship offer in Sweden must also obtain a work permit. They will need a valid passport; a written proposal for an internship or assignment to be completed. You should also receive an e-mail from the employer with a link that leads you to the e-service; Copies of pages in your passport that contain personal information, a photo, signature, passport number, country of issue, validity and if you have a residence permit in countries other than your own (if your passport expires soon, you should update as you cannot obtain a permit for a period longer than the validity of your passport). You can read more about this type of permit here.

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Work permits can be obtained as a volunteer. This will also require the agreement of the organization in Sweden to participate in a volunteer program within the European Voluntary Service. You can fill out the application on the website. 

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If you are not a citizen of a non-EU country and have received a job offer for a highly qualified job, you can apply for an EU Blue Card. You must have the equivalent of 180 higher education credits or five years of professional experience and a salary that is at least one and a half times higher than the average gross salary in Sweden. Details about this permission on the site. 

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If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU / EEA and Switzerland, work for a company outside the EU / EEA and have to work for a company in Sweden, you can obtain an intra-corporate transfer (ICT) permit. This applies to those who have to work as a manager or specialist or undergo practical training in the company. You can read about this type of permission in detail at the link.

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In most cases, you need to pay an application fee. You can view the current price at the link. 

In general, to get a work visa without problems you need to have a valid passport; offering work on terms that meet Swedish collective agreements or professional standards; a monthly salary of at least SEK 13,000 before taxes or a salary at the position level; employment offer with health insurance, life insurance and social security; proof of residence.

You can read more about obtaining and extending a work visa here.

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If you are not an EU citizen and eligible for a work permit, your spouse / wife / wife / civil law wife / registered partner and children under the age of 21 (as well as children over the age of 21 who are on your financial support) have the right to join you in Sweden. They must apply for a residence permit either as part of your application or separately.

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According to Sweden's bilateral agreements with other countries, young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can come to work. To obtain this work permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• be a citizen of Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or South Korea
• have a valid passport (if your passport expires, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a permit longer than your valid passport)
• have enough money to be able to provide for yourself initially in Sweden (at least 15,000 Swedish kronor)
• have a return ticket or enough money to buy it
• have comprehensive health insurance that covers health care in Sweden (does not apply to Australians)
• in most cases a fee is paid (fees for applying for a work permit)
• not to have accompanying children.

This type of permit is temporarily not working with citizens of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Details and other conditions of registration can be read here.

Working hours: According to the labor law, the standard working week is 40 hours. Employees are entitled to breaks during the working day and days off. Additional hours of work in excess of the standard are subject to additional payment or compensation with vacation. Typically, a working day in Sweden lasts from 8 to 9 hours per day. Work schedules can be flexible, and there may be opportunities for flexible working or telecommuting. 

Vacations: Employees in Sweden are entitled to annual vacation. Usually, the duration of the vacation is 25-30 working days, but can vary depending on the employment contract and length of service.

Dress code: In most Swedish offices, the dress code is informal and varies by industry and company. Generally, business casual or formal casual are acceptable options, but this can vary from company to company.

Protection of employees' rights: Swedish labor law establishes protections for employees' rights, including protection against discrimination in the workplace, protection for pregnant women and parents, the right to compensation in case of dismissal without justification, and the right to compensation in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.

Parental leave: Sweden has a system of long-term paternity leave, which gives fathers the opportunity to take long-term leave to care for their newborn child. This leave can be divided between the parents and is granted for different periods with payment or compensation.

Foreign employees enjoy all the rights and are subject to the same laws as Swedish residents. First of all, we are talking about the Swedish laws "On Working Conditions" (Arbetsmiljölagen) and "On Working Hours" (Arbetstidslagen). Responsibility for working conditions and their safety lies entirely with the employer - everything must be in accordance with the standards established for the industry.

If a person plans to start his own business, he also needs a work visa - usually self-employment.

In Sweden itself, the first step is to choose an industry for business. Then you need to register the company and register with the tax. The design process and other nuances are described in detail at the link. 

If you are planning to start a business in Sweden, you may also find this site useful.

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If you intend to stay in Sweden for longer than three months to run your own business, you must have a residence permit. The residence permit must be obtained before you arrive in Sweden. You can apply online from your home country or from any other country outside of Sweden where you reside.

Requirements for obtaining a residence permit

To apply for a residence permit to run your own business, you must

• have a valid passport (if your passport is about to expire, you should renew it, as you cannot obtain a residence permit for a longer period than the validity of your passport, if it is valid)
• prove that you have significant experience in the industry and previous experience in running your own business
• prove that you have adequate knowledge of Swedish or English. If you are in contact with, for example, many suppliers or customers in Sweden, you must have a very good knowledge of Swedish.
• Prove that you are the person who manages the company and has executive responsibility for the business
• Prove that you have sufficient personal funds to support yourself and your family members, equivalent to SEK 200,000 for you, SEK 100,000 for your spouse accompanying you, and SEK 50,000 for each child accompanying you for the duration of the residence permit for two years
• provide plausible supporting documentation for your budget
• show that you have established customer contacts or a network
• in most cases, pay the fee (application fee for a residence permit).

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The Swedish Migration Agency will conduct a financial assessment of your business plans.

To be registered as a person residing in Sweden, you must have a permit valid for at least one year and you must plan to reside in Sweden for at least one year.

Self-employed persons who intend to work in Sweden for less than three months do not need a residence permit. Citizens of some countries are required to have a visa even for work lasting less than three months. Read more about visas here.

1. Language skills: Knowledge of English is important, especially in international companies, but speaking Swedish will give you a competitive edge. 
2. Famous athletes (recognized or young and promising), scientists in various fields of knowledge, and top-class specialists in the IT field have very high chances of getting high-paying jobs.
3. Other categories of the population, in order to be successfully employed, need to master professions that are in short supply or in demand in this country (lists of such professions are constantly updated by the Swedish Ministry of Employment) or confirm their qualifications (for this, they need to speak Swedish).
4. The level of equality: In the Swedish work environment, equality is an important principle. The Swedes are considered progressive and democratic, so they treat working relationships with the principle of equality and respect for individual rights. Gender equality is also important, and Swedish companies are actively working to create a level playing field for all employees.
5. Teamwork: Swedes place a strong emphasis on teamwork and cooperation. Decisions are often made as a team, and employees contribute to the achievement of goals together. Collective responsibility and joint efforts are valued in the Swedish work environment.