Sweden Work Permit Salary Threshold 2025-2026: The Complete A to Z Guide

If you are planning to move to Sweden for work, or if you are already living here and planning to renew your permit, you need to pay close attention. The rules of the game have changed completely.

Sweden was once known for having one of the most liberal labor migration policies in Europe. For over a decade, almost anyone with a job offer could move here. That era is officially over. The Swedish government has implemented strict “Maintenance Requirements” (Försörjningskrav) that have made it much harder for low-income earners to obtain a work permit.

In this comprehensive guide, I will explain exactly what the salary threshold was before, what it is right now in late 2025, and the drastic changes expected for 2026 that could see the requirement jump to over 34,000 SEK.

The History: How Easy Was It Before?

To understand the severity of the current situation, we must look at the past.

Before November 1, 2023, Sweden had a very low salary threshold. For many years, the requirement was only 13,000 SEK (approx. €1,150) per month before tax.

• The Old Logic: As long as you earned enough to technically survive and not need welfare, you could get a work permit.
• The Result: This allowed thousands of people to come to Sweden for jobs in fast food, cleaning, newspaper delivery, and basic service roles.

However, the new government (supported by the Sweden Democrats) argued that this system was being abused and was suppressing wages for Swedish residents. They decided to link the work permit requirement to the national median salary.

The Current Situation (2025): The “80% Rule”

On November 1, 2023, the first major hike happened. The government decided that a work permit holder must earn at least 80% of the median salary in Sweden.

Since the median salary changes every year based on inflation and wage growth, the work permit threshold also rises every year.

What is the threshold right now?

As of late 2025, utilizing the data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), the requirement has risen significantly.

• The Formula: 80% of the Median Salary.
• The Amount: The threshold is now approximately 28,480 SEK (approx. €2,450) per month before tax.

Crucial Note: This means if you find a job offer in Sweden that pays 25,000 SEK, your work permit will be rejected, even if that salary is enough to live on. The migration agency will strictly deny applications that do not meet this specific number.

You can verify this requirement on the official Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) website.

Part-Time Work is No Longer Enough

Under the old rules, you could work part-time (e.g., 70%) as long as you made 13,000 SEK.

Under the current rules, because the threshold is so high (28,480 SEK), it is almost impossible to meet this requirement with a part-time job. You essentially need a full-time position to qualify.

• Read more:-
• ^{Sweden’s Skilled Exodus: Why Doctors are Denied Residency Despite Having Jobs}
• ^{Sweden’s repatriation grant will be increased on January 1, 2026—With Strict New Measures to Combat Fraud1}
• ^{Swe2den is Introducing Stricter Rules for Family Immigration}
• ^{How to get a Swedish Schengen Visa (90-Day Visitor)}

The Future: What is Coming in 2026? (The 100% Rule)

This is the part that is causing the most anxiety among the immigrant community in Sweden.

The government has launched an inquiry to raise the threshold even further. The proposal, which is part of the famous “Tidö Agreement”, aims to raise the requirement from 80% of the median salary to 100% of the median salary.

The Predicted 2026 Threshold

If this new law passes (which is highly likely to be implemented in 2026), the salary requirement will jump to the full median wage.

• Current Median Salary: The average median salary in Sweden is roughly 34,200 SEK (approx. €2,950).
• The Consequence: This means that in 2026, to get a work permit, you will likely need a salary of 34,200 SEK or higher.

Who will this affect?

This will effectively ban non-EU migrants from taking jobs in:

• Cleaning services
• Restaurant staff (waiters/kitchen porters)
• Home care assistants
• Basic construction labor

These jobs rarely pay 34,000 SEK per month. The government’s goal is clear: they want to restrict work permits to highly skilled professionals (IT, Engineering, Doctors) and stop low-skilled labor migration entirely.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes, the Swedish Migration Agency has listed specific groups that are exempt from this high salary threshold. You are safe from these rules if you fall into these categories:

1. Seasonal Workers: If you are coming to pick berries or work in agriculture for a short season (usually summer), you follow a different collective agreement salary, not the 28,480 SEK rule.
2. Professional Athletes and Coaches: If you play for a Swedish sports club, you have different rules.
3. EU Blue Card Holders: Ironically, the EU Blue Card has a higher salary threshold (1.5 times the average gross salary), so if you qualify for a Blue Card, you already meet the Swedish requirement easily.
4. Students (Residence Permit for Studies): While you are a student, you can work as much as you want without a salary limit. However, the moment you graduate and apply to switch to a Work Permit, you MUST meet the new high threshold (28,480 SEK+).

What About Renewals?

This is a common question: “I got my visa in 2022 when the rule was 13,000 SEK. Do I need to earn 28,480 SEK when I renew?”

Yes.

When you apply for an extension (renewal) of your work permit, you must meet the requirement that is valid on the day of the decision.

• If you apply for an extension today, you must show that your salary has increased to at least 28,480 SEK.
• If you cannot convince your boss to raise your salary to this level, your extension will be denied, and you may have to leave Sweden.

Summary: The Numbers at a Glance

What Should You Do?

If you are currently in Sweden on a work permit earning less than 28,000 SEK, you are in a danger zone. You should:

1. Negotiate with your employer: Explain the law. Tell them that without a raise to the threshold, you cannot stay.
2. Check Collective Agreements: Ensure your insurance and benefits are also perfect, as Sweden is very strict on these errors during renewals.
3. Watch the News: Follow Visavlog.com for updates on when the 34,200 SEK (100% median) rule is officially voted into law for 2026.