Sweden Introduces New Rules for Family Members of Long-Term Residents from Other EU Countries

Current rules

From 1 October 2026, the family member must fall within the narrower definition of a qualifying family member. This includes the person's spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner. It also includes children under 18 of the person in Sweden or their partner. The family must also have lived together in the first EU country. The relevant family relationship cannot simply be established after the long-term resident has moved to Sweden and then used as the basis for this particular route. The Swedish Migration Agency requires the family to have lived together in the first EU country where the main applicant held the relevant residence status. The sponsor in Sweden must additionally satisfy the maintenance requirement. Their income after tax must be sufficient, after housing costs have been deducted, to leave the required amount for the household's living expenses. The sponsor can also rely on sufficient assets rather than income in order to meet the requirement. For 2026, the Swedish Migration Agency specifies the following amounts that must remain after tax and rent: -SEK 8,116 for a single adult -SEK 13,408 for cohabiting spouses or partners -SEK 4,337 for children aged 0–6 -SEK 5,205 for children aged 7–10 -SEK 6,074 for children aged 11–14 -SEK 6,941 for children aged 15 or older The child amounts are reduced by applicable child allowance and large-family supplement. The Swedish Migration Agency identifies salary or wages, self-employment income and sickness benefit as examples of income that can count towards the requirement. Subsidised employment income, unemployment insurance benefits, activity grants and other unemployment-related benefits are excluded. There is an exception where there are special grounds, for example where illness or disability has permanently reduced the family member's ability to work.

Overview

From 1 October 2026, new rules will apply to individuals applying for a residence permit in Sweden as a family member of someone holding long-term resident status in another EU country. The changes introduce a stricter definition of eligible family members, mandate that the family unit must have been established and cohabited in the initial EU country, and impose a maintenance requirement on the family member residing in Sweden. Applicants seeking an extension of a permit granted before 1 October 2026 can benefit from transitional rules if they apply by 1 October 2027, avoiding the new requirements. Those applying for the first time, or those who have already applied and are awaiting a decision, must meet the new criteria from the effective date.

What changed in the latest version

These changes significantly alter the criteria for family reunification in Sweden for those with long-term resident status from another EU country. Applicants seeking a residence permit for the first time, or those with pending applications, must now satisfy the more stringent requirements regarding family definition, prior cohabitation in the first EU country, and the financial maintenance of the family member in Sweden. This means individuals will need to gather additional evidence of their family's cohabitation history and ensure their sponsor in Sweden meets the newly specified income thresholds, which excludes certain types of income. Failure to meet these new conditions will result in the refusal of their application, compelling them to seek alternative permit types if they wish to relocate to Sweden. For those who already hold a permit and are applying for an extension, a grace period until 1 October 2027 is available if their current permit was issued before the new rules' effective date, allowing them to be assessed under the earlier, potentially less restrictive, criteria. Beyond this date, or if they do not meet the transitional arrangement, extensions will also be subject to the new rules. This places an immediate burden on new applicants and a future burden on those seeking extensions.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to move to Sweden to live with a family member who has a special long-term permit in another European country. Starting from 1 October 2026, the rules for this are changing. Now, for you to join them, not only must your family member in Sweden prove they have enough money to support everyone, but your family also needs to show that you all lived together and started your family life in that first European country before moving to Sweden. If you're already in Sweden and just renewing your permit from before this date, you might get a bit more time to meet the old rules.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 1 Oct 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Sweden Introduces New Rules for Family Members of Long-Term Residents from Other EU Countries

   From 1 October 2026, Sweden is implementing new rules for family members of individuals who hold long-term resident status in another EU country and wish to obtain a residence permit in Sweden. The changes introduce a stricter definition of 'family member' to include partners and children under 18, a requirement for the family unit to have formed and lived together in the initial EU country, and a new maintenance requirement. The maintenance rule specifies that the sponsor in Sweden must demonstrate sufficient income or assets to cover the family's living and housing costs, with defined income thresholds (e.g., SEK 8,116 for a single adult in 2026 after rent). These rules apply to all new applications, including those pending, but there is a transitional period for extensions until 1 October 2027, allowing previous rules to apply if the current permit was issued before 1 October 2026.