New family immigration rules take effect in Sweden from 1 October

Sweden’s new family immigration rules entered into force on 1 October, introducing stricter conditions for many people who want to join a family member in Sweden. The changes include a two-year residence requirement for many sponsors with temporary permits, a higher maintenance requirement and new rules for residence permit extensions. At the same time, certain young adults who previously held permits as children have gained new opportunities to remain with their parents in Sweden.

The changes were approved by the Swedish Parliament in August and are now part of the rules applied by the Swedish Migration Agency. Some transitional provisions mean that the effect of the changes depends on when a person’s current permit was granted and when an application was submitted.

Two-year residence requirement for many sponsors

One of the main changes concerns people in Sweden who have a temporary residence permit and want a family member to move to Sweden.

As a general rule, the person in Sweden must now have lived in Sweden with a residence permit for at least two years before the family member applies for a residence permit. The two-year period must have been completed when the family application is submitted.

The rule does not apply to everyone. There are exemptions, including certain cases involving refugees and unaccompanied minors. The two-year requirement also does not apply to several groups covered by separate rules, including workers, researchers, doctoral students, EU Blue Card holders and ICT permit holders.

For refugees, an exemption can apply where the family relationship was established before the refugee came to Sweden. The exact conditions depend on the circumstances of the case.

Higher maintenance requirement

The financial requirement for family immigration has also been increased.

The person living in Sweden generally has to show that they can support themselves, the existing household and the family members applying for residence permits. They must also have suitable accommodation.

For 2026, after tax and housing costs have been paid, the standard amounts that must remain available are:

The amounts for children are reduced by child allowance and large-family supplements where applicable. The required income therefore depends on both household size and housing costs.

The housing requirement also remains relevant. The home must normally be available for at least one year from the date of application and must be large enough for the household. For two adults without children, for example, a home with a kitchen or kitchenette and at least one room can satisfy the size requirement.

Maintenance requirement now applies to extensions

Another significant change is that the maintenance requirement can now apply when a family member applies to extend a residence permit to continue living with the person in Sweden.

When an extension is assessed, income from family members living in the same household can normally also be taken into account.

There is, however, a transitional arrangement. If the family member’s existing residence permit was granted before 1 October and the extension application is registered no later than 1 October 2027, the higher maintenance amount does not apply. The Swedish Migration Agency says the higher amount will apply to all applications, including extensions, from 2 October 2027.

The legislation also introduces changes that can benefit some young adults who previously received residence permits in Sweden as children.

From 1 October, a person who is 18 but under 21 can, in certain circumstances, apply to extend their residence permit on the basis of family ties to a parent in Sweden.

People aged 21 or older may also qualify in certain cases if they live with their parent and have a special dependency relationship that goes beyond the normal relationship between an adult child and a parent.

These rules are particularly relevant to young people whose previous permits were based on their relationship with a parent and who have reached adulthood while living in Sweden.

Temporary rules for some people with expulsion decisions

There is also a temporary opportunity for certain young adults to apply for a residence permit from inside Sweden despite having received an expulsion decision.

To fall under these temporary rules, a person must, among other conditions, have held a residence permit as a child after 1 October 2023 and have received an expulsion decision that became legally binding on or after 1 January 2025.

The temporary provisions apply until 31 December 2027. They do not automatically result in a residence permit: applicants must still meet the requirements for the permit they are seeking.

Temporary applications for work or studies

Certain young adults covered by the transitional rules can also apply from inside Sweden for a work permit or a residence permit for university or university-college studies.

Normally, these types of applications must be made from outside Sweden and the permit must be granted before entering. The temporary rules create an exception for qualifying applicants between 1 October 2026 and 31 December 2027.

The rules depend on the type of residence permit

The phrase “family immigration” covers several different situations, so the new rules should not be treated as a single set of conditions for every family.

Separate provisions apply, for example, to family members of:

• people with temporary residence permits;
• employees with work permits;
• students;
• people with long-term resident status in another EU country.

For family members of students, for example, a new requirement for comprehensive health insurance applies where the family member will stay in Sweden for a maximum of one year. The existing maintenance requirement for student families is not changed by these particular reforms.

People whose family member has long-term resident status in another EU country face another set of changes. From 1 October, the family generally must have been formed in the first EU country, and the family member in Sweden must meet a maintenance requirement.

There are also transitional rules for some existing permits in this category: people who received their current permit before 1 October can, under specified conditions, have an extension application assessed under the previous rules if they apply by 1 October 2027.

What applicants should check now

Anyone affected by the new rules should check which category they fall into before submitting an application. In particular, applicants should establish:

1. The residence status of the family member in Sweden.
   The rules differ depending on whether the person has a temporary permit, work permit, study permit or another status.
2. How long the sponsor has lived in Sweden.
   For many sponsors with temporary residence permits, two years of residence with a permit is now required.
3. Whether the maintenance requirement applies.
   This includes checking income, household size and housing costs.
4. When the existing residence permit was granted.
   Transitional provisions can make the date particularly important for extension applications.
5. Whether the applicant is a young adult covered by the new rules.
   Former child permit holders may have options that did not previously exist.

The Swedish Migration Agency has published separate guidance for the different categories. Because the transitional provisions are detailed, applicants should use the guidance corresponding to their particular residence permit rather than relying on general information about family immigration.

What has changed — at a glance

Editorial assessment

The changes create a more demanding framework for many families seeking reunification in Sweden, particularly through the new residence-period and financial requirements. At the same time, the legislation includes targeted protections and transitional arrangements, especially for certain young adults who previously held residence permits as children.

For applicants, the practical significance is that the date of an application and the type of residence permit held by the person in Sweden can now make a substantial difference. Checking the applicable category and transitional rules before applying is therefore essential.

Frequently asked questions

When did the new Swedish family immigration rules take effect?

The new rules entered into force on 1 October 2026. They were adopted by the Swedish Parliament in August.

Does everyone in Sweden have to wait two years before bringing their family?

No. The two-year requirement mainly concerns reference persons with temporary residence permits, and there are several exemptions and separate rules for groups such as workers, researchers, doctoral students and certain refugees.

Has the maintenance requirement increased?

Yes. The amount that must remain after tax and housing costs has increased for relevant family immigration cases. For example, the 2026 amount is SEK 8,116 for a single adult and SEK 13,408 for two cohabiting spouses or partners.

Do the new rules affect residence permit extensions?

Yes. The maintenance requirement can now also apply when a family member applies to extend a residence permit. Transitional rules apply to some permits granted before 1 October.

Can young adults who previously had a permit as children remain in Sweden?

In certain circumstances, yes. People aged 18 to under 21 may be able to extend their permit based on family ties to a parent, while some people aged 21 or older can also qualify where a special dependency relationship exists. Temporary rules additionally cover certain young adults with expulsion decisions.

Official Sources

• Swedish Migration Agency — New rules on immigration due to family ties and young adults from 1 October
• Swedish Migration Agency — Maintenance requirement for the person in Sweden
• Swedish Parliament — Decision: Stricter conditions for family immigration
• Swedish Government — Stricter conditions for family immigration, Government Bill 2025/26:301