Who DOESN’T need to apply for a work permit in Sweden?

Who DOESN’T need to apply for a work permit in Sweden?

Some people have a residence permit or some other type of permit to live in Sweden that also gives them the right to work. Here you will find information about who does not need to apply for a work permit to start working for you.

 

If you want to employ someone who already lives in Sweden, they may already have the right to work. The following people do not need to apply for a work permit to start working with you.

 

EU/EEA citizens and their family members

An EU/EEA citizen is covered by the right to free movement within Europe and does not need a work permit to work in Sweden.

Anyone who is a family member of an EU/EEA citizen with a right of residence, but who is a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, may also work without a work permit. However, such family members need to apply for a residence card if they intend to be here for more than three months.

Long-term residents in another EU country

A person with long-term resident status in an EU country can work in Sweden without a work permit for up to three months. If the person intends to stay in Sweden for more than three months, they need to apply for a residence permit as someone with long-term resident status in another EU country. In that case, you should give the person who works for you a certificate of employment. The person can start working before they have received the decision about their residence permit.
 

Swiss citizens

A Swiss citizen does not need a work permit to work in Sweden, but must apply for a residence permit if they intend to stay longer than three months. In that case, you should give the person who works for you a certificate of employment. The person can start working before they have received the decision about their residence permit.
 

People with a permanent residence permit

A person with a permanent residence permit has the right to work with anything they want in Sweden.
 

People with a Swedish citizenship

People with Swedish citizenship have the right to work with anything they want in Sweden.
 

People with a residence permit to live with someone in Sweden

A person who has a residence permit to live with a close relative in Sweden has the right to work with anything they want.
 

People with residence permits under the Temporary Protection Directive

A person who has been granted a residence permit based on their need for protection under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive has the right to work in Sweden. If the person has been in Sweden for less than a year, they cannot get listed in the Swedish Population Register and must therefore be registered as a taxpayer in order to work. As an employer, you therefore need to check whether the employee is registered as a taxpayer with the Swedish Tax Agency.
 

Students with a residence permit to study at a university or university college

A student who has a residence permit for studies at a university or university college in Sweden may work alongside their studies without a work permit.
 

Researchers with a residence permit for research

People who have been granted a residence permit as researchers may work alongside their research. Teaching or administrative work in the research group is not considered to constitute research.
 

People who have applied for asylum and been granted a residence permit

People who have applied for asylum and been granted a residence permit due to their need for protection, particularly distressing circumstances, or impediments to enforcement have the right to work in Sweden.
 

British citizens

British citizens with residence status or Swedish citizenship have the right to work in Sweden. British citizens who are not entitled to residence status must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden.
 

Person with a work permit to work for another employer

A person with a valid work permit to work for another employer may start working for you without applying for a new permit, as long as their new position is in the same occupation to which the current permit relates and they have had a permit for more than two years.

If the employee has a permit to work for a particular employer and in a particular occupation, they must always apply for a new permit to change employers and start working for you.

Individuals in certain occupational categories

For specific occupational categories, assignments and shorter work, certain individuals may be exempt from the work permit requirement.
 
 

Individuals from the following occupational groups can work in Sweden without a work permit

Certain people are exempt from the work permit requirement and do not need to apply for a work permit to work in Sweden.

In most cases, citizens of non-EU/EEA countries who want to work in Sweden need a work permit, but there are some exceptions.

 
People who already live in Sweden with a residence permit
Some people have a residence permit or other type of permit to live in Sweden that also gives them the right to work. These people do not need to apply for a work permit to start working. 
 
 

Persons with a residence permit to come to Sweden to look for work or start a business

People who have been granted a residence permit to look for work or investigate the possibilities of starting their own business can start a job before the decision about their application for a work permit is made. This assumes that the person in question applies for a work permit while they still have a valid permit. The exemption applies only to work within the occupation and for the employer to whom the application for a work permit relates.

Occupational groups that do not need a work permit

People from certain occupational groups can come to Sweden and work without a work permit for a limited period of time.

It is the applicant, alone or together with their employer, who decides whether they are covered by the work permit exemption. The Swedish Migration Agency cannot know in advance whether a particular person is exempt. For this reason, in case of the slightest uncertainty, we recommend that you apply for a work permit.

Keep in mind that citizens of certain countries need an entry visa to travel to Sweden, even if they are exempt from the work permit requirement.

 

Specialist in an international group – less than one year

A specialist in an international group who will work temporarily in Sweden for the group for a total of less than one year can work in Sweden without a work permit. If the work will last for longer than three months, the employee must apply for a visitor’s permit.

You want to apply – Visiting Sweden for more than 90 days

What does it mean to be a “specialist”?
The person must be able to show that they have the occupational qualifications and experience or training required for their specialist assignment. It should be possible to show that they have a unique competence and experience, are not easy to replace, or that they have an important task or role within the group.

The exemption does not apply to specialists covered by the ICT regulations.

Employee in an international group who will be participating in skills development – maximum of three months in total

An employee in an international group who will be participating in a traineeship/internship, internal training or other skills development at a company within the group may work in Sweden without a work permit for a total of three months during a twelve-month period.

Participant in a business deal – maximum of three months in total

A person who will be participating in a training course, conducting tests, preparing or finishing up deliveries, or handling similar tasks within the context of a business deal may work in Sweden without a work permit for a total of three months during a twelve-month period.

Diplomatic and consular officials and their family and staff

Diplomatic or consular officials, along with their family and any service personnel, can work in Sweden without a work permit. It is the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that grants such people a residence permit during their period of employment in Sweden. The work permit exemption usually only applies to employment at the diplomatic mission in question.

Installers or technical instructors in crisis situations – maximum of two months

Installers or technical instructors who will be assisting with an urgent set-up or the repair of machines can work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of two months. The work must be of a crisis nature, i.e. something unforeseen must have happened that requires quick action. If the work is planned or foreseen, a work permit is required.

Persons on temporary assignment for radio or TV – maximum of one month

Persons invited to perform an assignment for Sveriges Radio AB, Sveriges Television AB, Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB, or Nordisk Television AB (TV4 Group/TV4 AB) may work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of one month from their date of entry.

Artists, technicians and other tour staff – maximum of 14 days, at the invitation of an established arranger

Artists, technicians or tour staff who have been invited by an established arranger in Sweden can work here without a work permit for a maximum of 14 days during a twelve-month period.

See the list of established arrangersWork permits specialists in SwedenPdf, 117.6 kB, opens in new window.

Professional athletes and officials – maximum of three months in total

Professional athletes or officials who do not have a contract with a Swedish club and who will be participating in international competitions can work in Sweden without a work permit for three months in a twelve-month period.

Train personnel and lorry drivers

Staff on trains or lorry drivers in international professional traffic who are employed outside Sweden can work in Sweden without a work permit. If the work will last for longer than three months, the employee must apply for a visitor’s permit.

You want to apply – Visiting Sweden for more than 90 days

Drivers and staff on tourist coaches – maximum of three months

Drivers or staff on board tourist coaches can work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of three months.

Representatives working temporarily in Sweden

A representative, such as a sales representative, for a company that does not have a branch or office in Sweden, can work in Sweden without a work permit. However, if the work will last for longer than three months, the employee must apply for a visitor’s permit.

You want to apply – Visiting Sweden for more than 90 days

Caregiver for a visitor – maximum of three months

A person who is employed as a caregiver for someone who is visiting Sweden for a maximum of three months in order to receive care or for recreational purposes can work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of three months.

Researchers or teachers in higher education for a brief period – maximum of three months in total

Researchers or teachers in higher education who will be participating in research, teaching or lecture activities can work in Sweden without a work permit for a total of no more than three months in a twelve-month period.

Researchers who will be performing part of their research in Sweden – maximum of 180 days

Researchers with a residence permit for research in another EU country, but who will be performing part of their research for an approved research organisation in Sweden, can work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of 180 days in a 360-day period.

However, if the work will last longer than three months, the researcher must apply for a permit for research with extended-stay mobility.

You want to apply – Researchers

Temporary work in connection with construction

A person who will be working temporarily in Sweden in connection with construction or a similar activity can work here without a work permit during the period of the temporary work, as long as they
  • live in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, without being a citizen
  • have permission to work and reside in the country where they live
  • are employed by a company in that country and will temporarily work in Sweden on behalf of the company.

If the work will last for longer than three months, the employee must apply for a visitor’s permit.

You want to apply – Visiting Sweden for more than 90 days

Journalists working temporarily in Sweden

Journalists reporting from Sweden on behalf of a foreign news agency, without being employed in Sweden, can work in Sweden without a work permit. However, if the work will last for longer than three months, the employee must apply for a visitor’s permit.

You want to apply – Visiting Sweden for more than 90 days

Witnesses or injured parties in a criminal investigation

Witnesses or injured parties in a criminal investigation may work in Sweden without a work permit if they have received a residence permit due to their status as a witness or injured party.

Person participating in a relief effort

A person participating in a relief effort in the event of a disaster or accident in Sweden can work in Sweden without a work permit for the duration of the relief effort.

Residence permit for mobility studies tied to higher education – maximum of 360 days

People with a residence permit for mobility studies tied to higher education in Sweden or another EU country and who will be spending time in Sweden as part of their education can work in Sweden without a work permit for a maximum of 360 days.

Member or civilian personnel of a foreign armed force

A member or civilian personnel of a foreign armed force who is in Sweden for the purpose of an international military cooperation or crisis management covered by an agreement with Sweden may work in Sweden without a work permit during their period of service.

People covered by the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Sweden and the United States

Foreign supplier involved in defence cooperation

A foreign supplier, or a person employed by such a supplier, covered by the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Sweden and the United States may work in Sweden without a work permit.

Close relative of a member of the US Armed Forces or of its civilian personnel

Close relatives of a member of a US Armed Force or of civilian personnel covered by the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Sweden and United States may work in Sweden without a work permit.

Source: www.migrationsverket.se