Sweden is preparing to implement reforms to its single permit system for foreign workers, a move aimed at aligning national immigration policy with newly adopted European Union standards and enhancing the country’s appeal to global talent.
Slated to take effect on May 21, 2026, the proposed reforms currently under review by the Swedish Parliament are part of Sweden’s compliance with the EU’s revised Single Permit Directive, adopted in 2024.
The directive requires member states to streamline procedures for third-country nationals seeking to live and work in the EU, while improving labor mobility and strengthening legal safeguards.
If approved, the updated Swedish regulations would significantly alter how non-EU nationals apply for and maintain work and residence rights in the country, with changes expected to benefit both skilled migrants and employers.
What’s Changing?
At the heart of the reform is a plan to eliminate job-specific restrictions in the single permit system. Currently, foreign workers granted a single permit in Sweden are tied to a specific employer and job role.
- Under the new framework, permit holders would be allowed to change jobs or employers without undergoing a new application process — a significant shift designed to reduce dependency on single employers and prevent exploitation. Workers would, however, be required to notify authorities when such changes occur.
- In addition to greater job mobility, the government is proposing an extension of the grace period for permit holders who lose their jobs. Presently capped at three months, the grace period would be doubled to six months for individuals who have held a single permit for more than two years, allowing more time to secure new employment without risking deportation.
- Other key changes include an increase in the initial permit duration from six months to a potential two years, aimed at reducing administrative strain and offering more stability to migrants, and a new provision barring employers from passing permit application fees on to foreign workers. Charging workers such fees would become explicitly prohibited under the revised rules.
The Swedish Migration Agency is also targeting faster processing timelines. The current average wait time for a decision on a single permit application is around 120 days. The agency aims to cut that down to 90 days from the date of submission, pending the availability of complete documentation.
Context and Implications
The reforms reflect growing recognition across the EU that attracting and retaining global talent is vital to addressing skill shortages and sustaining economic competitiveness. Sweden, like many of its neighbors, faces demographic pressures and labor market gaps in key sectors.
While the legislative process is still underway, the government has signaled strong support for the reform package, which is expected to pass in the coming months. If approved, Sweden will become one of the first EU member states to fully implement the revised directive, setting a precedent for broader regional changes to labor migration systems.
