Residence Permits for EU/EEA Citizens

To enter Sweden, citizens of the EU/EEA states need a valid passport or ID card clearly stating their nationality. If you plan to remain in Sweden for longer than three months, however, you must have a residence permit, and you can choose whether to apply for this under the EEA-agreement or under Swedish national law (Aliens Act 1989:529/Aliens Ordinance 1989:547).

Families of EU/EEA citizens

The following relatives of employed persons, self-employed persons, the users or suppliers of services, pensioners or others are eligible for residence permits in Sweden:

  • Husband/wife
  • Registered partner
  • Children under 21 or older children who are financially dependent on their parents
  • Parents who are financially dependent on children living in Sweden.

If your family member is a citizen of a third country he/she may have to apply for an entry visa before departure.

See information about:
> Entry Visa for Family Members to EU/EEA Citizens

All EU/EEA citizens, children included, have to apply individually. An application by a child under 18 must be approved by the child’s custodian/guardian, who either signs the application or personally applies for a residence permit on the child’s behalf.

Children under 18 applying for a residence permit in order to be with their parents in Sweden need only complete the application form; they do not need to fill in the questionnaire.

EU/EEA citizens and their immediate families applying for residence permits may be granted them even after entering Sweden.

EU/EEA citizens and their immediate families are exempted from the requirement to possess a work permit in order to work in Sweden.

Please note: Swedish citizens are not counted as EU/EEA citizens in the present context.

For more information about applying according to the EEA Agreement - see the Migration Board website (LINK: migrationsverket.se)