Travel to Sweden for work

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This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Swedish immigration authorities or embassy.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Sweden to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Sweden is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Swedish authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Sweden’s government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Sweden. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Swedish authorities or embassy.

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

translated
‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
originals, or if copies are acceptable
signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Sweden, so you know which ones to use when speaking to the Swedish authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Sweden for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

running or attending job interviews
going to court as a witness
attending trade fairs
meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
fact-finding visits
negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts in certain situations
attending, speaking or presenting at a conference if you’re not being paid
team building activities
leisure travel, such as holidays or visiting friends or family

Or for the following types of training, so long as it’s for the same company or group:

receiving classroom-based training
receiving on-the-job training
shadowing someone’s job

These activities are covered by the visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
health insurance that covers your stay
proof of accommodation for your entire stay
enough money for the duration of your trip
an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip, or a plan for any training with a description of the purpose of your visit

Check Sweden’s exemptions

Certain types of work-related activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

These do not require a visa or permit in Sweden:

emergency repairs or installation activities, including technical fitters and instructors – for up to 2 months
participating in training, testing, preparation or completion of deliveries, or similar activities as a business transaction – for up to 3 months in a 12-month period
specialists working temporarily for an international corporation for less than 90 days
consular officials or diplomats and their families and staff – this generally applies to the current mission only
temporary TV or radio workers for Nordisk Television AB (TV4-gruppen/TV4 AB), Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB, Sveriges Radio AB or Sveriges Television AB – for up to 1 month
performers for film, audio-visual content and shows and their technical production team – so long as the performer has been invited by an established arranger from the Swedish Migration Agency – for up to 14 business days over 12 months
professional athletes and functionaries taking part in international competitions – for up to 3 months over 12 months
railway personnel and international commercial traffic lorry drivers employed outside of Sweden
temporary employees working for a company that does not have a branch or office in Sweden, such as journalists or salespeople
caregivers working for an employer who is visiting Sweden for medical treatment – for up to 3 months
professors and researchers invited to teach, research or hold lectures at higher education institutions – for up to 3 months in a 12-month period
claimants (plaintiffs) or witnesses in a criminal investigation who obtained a residence permit as a result of that
volunteers giving aid support for a disaster or accident in Sweden – for the period of deployment
drivers and travel guides who accompany tourist groups to Sweden – for up to 3 months
those with a residence permit for higher education studies in Sweden
those with an EU-intra company transfer permit (EU ICT) from another country – for 90 days in a 180-day period
sole traders working for Swedish clients on contracts – for a maximum of 90 days or the amount of available Schengen days they have (conditions apply so check with the authorities)

Employers need to submit a notification to the Swedish work environment authority (SWEA) for all workers sent (posted) to Sweden to work.

Show proof of exemption

You need to be able to show proof that you’re exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:

an assignment or invitation letter
employment confirmation
a contract
proof of required qualifications, such as a diploma or professional certificate
CV

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from the Swedish embassy.

Applying for a visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit type, but you need to check the exact rules and processes with the Swedish Migration Agency or embassy.

Taking your family

If you have a family they may be able to join you on dependant visas. It depends what type of permit you have.

Find out about permits for family members.

Work and residence permits

Sweden offers the same permits for short or long stays. If you’re working in Sweden for 3 months or less, you will only need a work permit. If you’re working in Sweden for more than 3 months you will need a work and residence permit.

You must apply for a permit if you’re in Sweden because you’re:

They are valid for up to 2 years depending on which one you need.

Transferring to a Swedish branch of a UK-based company

You need one of the following permits if your UK-based company moves you to a Swedish branch to work:

Intra-company transfer

You need a long-term intra-company transfer permit (ICT)  if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Sweden to work for:

up to 2 years if you’re a manager or specialist
1 year if you’re a trainee

To qualify you must:

have worked for the company abroad for at least 3 consecutive months
be a manager, specialist or trainee
be of great importance to the business if you’re a manager or specialist – having a manager or specialist title is not enough
have a relevant university or college degree as a trainee, or relevant work experience as a specialist or manager
have specialist knowledge in the field
have the required qualifications recognised in Sweden for regulated professions
be paid a salary that is at least at the same level as in the Swedish collective agreements, or equivalent to similar positions in Sweden
have employment terms that are at least on the same level as for employees on assignment in Sweden
get insurance covering health, life, occupational injury and pension from your employer
have a UK employment contract or trainee agreement
be able to return to work at the UK branch of your company when your assignment ends
be on UK or Swedish payroll

An ICT permit can take up to 3 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years if you’re a manager or specialist or 1 year if you’re a trainee. You can extend it for an extra year if you’re a manager or specialist.

If you have a partner, or children under 18, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. The following is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer creates an employment offer and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on employment conditions.
Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how once you’ve signed up.
Your employer submits the ‘union opinion’.
You log in and complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when available.
Your employer submits a posted worker declaration to the Swedish work environment authority (SWEA).
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of the assignment
assignment letter and employment contract from your UK employer
trainee agreement, for trainees
union statement (‘union opinion’)
degree certificate, for trainees
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
accommodation contract showing monthly cost for housing, if your family is joining you and you’re already settled
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
birth certificate for any children joining you (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
comprehensive health insurance that’s valid in Sweden for at least 3 months, or the full assignment period if the assignment is shorter than 1 year

Work and residence permit (assignment)

You need a long-term work and resident permit if your UK-based company moves you to a Swedish branch to work temporarily.

To qualify you must:

be paid a salary that is at least at the same level as in the Swedish collective agreements, or equivalent to similar positions in Sweden
have employment terms that are at least at the same level as for employees working in Sweden
get insurance covering health, life, occupational injury and pension from your employer
keep your UK employment contract
have an employment contract in Sweden
be on UK or Swedish payroll

A long-term work and residence permit can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and can be extended.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 21, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. The following is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer creates an employment offer and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on employment conditions.
Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
Your employer submits the ‘union opinion’.
You log in and complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when available.
Your employer submits a posted worker declaration to the Swedish work environment authority (SWEA).
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of the assignment
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with cohabiting partner, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
accommodation contract showing monthly cost for housing, if your family is joining you and you’re already settled

Working for a Swedish branch of a company on a Swedish employment contract

You need one of these work permits if you’re working on a Swedish contract:

Work and residence permit (local employment)

To qualify for a work and residence permit you must:

have an offer of employment from a company in Sweden
have been offered a salary that is at least at the same level as that set by Swedish collective agreements, or equivalent to similar positions in Sweden
have employment conditions that are at least at the same level as in the Swedish collective agreements, or what is common for your profession or industry
get insurance covering health, life, occupational injury and pension from your employer

It can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 21, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. The following is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer advertises the position in Sweden, the rest of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, for at least 10 days.
Your employer creates an employment offer and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on the employment conditions.
Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
Your employer submits the ‘union opinion’.
You log in and complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when available.
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
union statement (‘union opinion’)
accommodation contract showing monthly cost for housing, if your family is joining you and you’re already settled
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with cohabiting partner (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
birth certificate for any children joining you (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)

EU Blue Card

You can apply for an EU Blue Card if you’re a highly skilled worker and want to work for a Swedish company for at least 1 year.

To qualify you must:

have an offer of employment for highly qualified work for at least 1 year
have the equivalent of 180 credits of tertiary education or 5 years’ professional experience
have a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in Sweden
have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance that’s valid at least 3 months of care in Sweden
have employment conditions that are at least at the same level as the Swedish collective agreements, or what is common for your profession or industry
get insurance covering health, life, occupational injury and pension from your employer

An EU Blue Card can take up to 3 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 18, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer advertises the position in Sweden, the rest of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, for at least 10 days.
Your employer creates an employment offer and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on the employment conditions.
Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
Your employer submits the ‘union opinion’.
You log in and complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when available.
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
union statement (‘union opinion’)
degree certificate or register excerpt from your university, or an employer’s certificate from previous employers, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
documents showing that you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
birth certificate for any children joining you (translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator)
accommodation contract showing monthly cost for housing, if your family is joining you and you’re already settled
comprehensive health insurance that’s valid in Sweden for at least 3 months

Work permit for athletes and coaches

You can apply for this work permit if you:

have a written contract with a club or association in Sweden that’s affiliated with the Swedish Sports Confederation
play or coach football at least in Division 1 (for men) or in Damallsvenskan or Elitettan (for women)
play or coach basketball in Basketligan or Basketettan (for men and women)
meet the salary requirements
have health and accident insurance consistent with what’s usual for your sport and level
have confirmation from the Swedish Sports Confederation that your employment is vitally important to the positive development of the sport

It can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 21, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
You log in to complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the relevant embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when ready.
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
a contract signed by the club and yourself, with information about your salary (in Swedish kronor), insurance and the validity period of the contract
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing that you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months (if applying with a cohabiting partner), translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator

Work permit for performers

A work permit for performers is for:

singers and other musicians
dancers
circus performers
actors
directors and filmmakers
those accompanying performers, such as technicians or similar roles

To qualify you must:

have a contract with an organiser in Sweden including information on fees, venue and a tour plan
have a written offer of work in Sweden
have sufficient salary to support yourself during your stay

It can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 21, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
You log in to complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when ready.
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need to see:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
the contract, signed by you and the organiser, stating the tour plan (if any), your remuneration (pay or equivalent) and the time and place of the engagement
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator

Providing services to a client in Sweden

If your UK employer has a contract or work order with a Swedish company, you can apply for a ‘work permit to provide services’.

To qualify you must:

be paid a salary that is at least at the same level as in the Swedish collective agreements, or equivalent to similar positions in Sweden
have employment terms that are at least on the same level as for employees in Sweden
keep your UK employment contract
stay on UK payroll

A work permit to provide services can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it.

This permit type may lead to permanent residence after 4 years continuous residency if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 21, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

Your employer creates an employment offer and gives the relevant trade union the opportunity to comment on the employment conditions.
Your employer creates an online account and applies for your work permit with the Swedish Migration Agency. The website explains how.
Your employer submits the ‘union opinion’.
You log in and complete the online application and submit the necessary documents.
You submit biometric information at the Swedish embassy and then collect your biometric residence card permit when it’s ready.
Your employer submits a posted worker declaration to the Swedish work environment authority (SWEA).
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

contact details and power of attorney for the client in Sweden
UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of the assignment and with 2 blank pages
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator

Self-employed work

To apply for a self-employment permit your business needs to be set up as a limited liability or trading company in Sweden.

To qualify you must show:

significant experience in your chosen field with previous experience of managing your own business
knowledge of Swedish or English (if you deals with many suppliers or customers in Sweden, you must have very good knowledge of Swedish)
proof that you own at least 50% of the business and have executive responsibility
proof that the project is economically viable
that you can financially support yourself and any family members that may join you
proof of qualifications if you work in a regulated profession
that you have an established network in Sweden
that after the trial period of 2 years your company’s finances are in balance and that you can support yourself and any family members (the required amount is based on the Swedish standard for income support plus housing costs)

This permit can take between 14 and 25 months to get. It is valid for up to 2 years. The self-employed work permit may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.

If you have a partner, or children under 18, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

You apply online for a residence permit.
You create an online account and apply for a work permit – the website explains how.
You submit biometric information at the relevant embassy and collect your biometric residence card permit when it’s ready.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
proof you can support yourself and your family for at least 2 years
purchase contract if you’ve bought or are intending to buy the company or business
if you’re buying a business, bank certificates showing you have enough money to buy it and for the costs and investments you need to run it
trading company agreement or share register
document showing that you’ve paid the purchase price, or your share of the purchase price, if you bought the business
contracts with customers or suppliers and premises
2 most recent annual accounts or financial statements (if the company has been operating that long)
balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the current financial year up to the previous month (if the company has been operating that long)
language course certificate or other proof that you know Swedish or English
qualification certificates from your studies
registration certificate for other companies you have, or have had, outside Sweden
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing that you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator

Research work

If you work for a recognised research institution you can apply for a residence permit for research.

To qualify you must:

have a hosting agreement with a research funding body (the party receiving the research work) that’s approved by the Swedish Research Council
have enough money for your stay in Sweden including for your return travel
have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance (if you’re going to be in Sweden for a maximum of 1 year)

A residence permit for research can take between 1 and 12 months to get. It’s valid for the same duration as the hosting agreement, or the validity of your passport, whichever is less. You can extend it.

If you have a partner, or children under 18, they can join you with this permit type. Find out about permits for family members.

How it works

You need to check with the Swedish authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

You create an online account and apply for a residence permit and submit the necessary documents. The website explains how.
You submit biometric information at the relevant embassy and then collect your biometric residence card permit when available.
Your employer notifies the Swedish tax agency on the 12th day of the month following the day that you started working in Sweden.

Application documents

Swedish authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

passport for you and any dependants, valid for the duration of your stay
the hosting agreement from your research funding body
marriage certificate or the equivalent for a registered partner, if applying with family, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
documents showing you’ve lived together in another country for at least 6 months, if applying with a cohabiting partner, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
birth certificate for any children joining you, translated into English or Swedish by a certified translator
comprehensive health insurance

Swedish government guidance

You can find out more about working in Sweden from the Swedish Migration Agency.

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check general travel advice for Sweden, for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

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Travel to Sweden for work

Entry requirements

Visa and permit documents

Check if you need a visa or permit

Border checks

Check Sweden’s exemptions

Show proof of exemption

Further checks

Applying for a visa or permit

Taking your family

Work and residence permits

Transferring to a Swedish branch of a UK-based company

Intra-company transfer

How it works

Application documents

Work and residence permit (assignment)

How it works

Application documents

Working for a Swedish branch of a company on a Swedish employment contract

Work and residence permit (local employment)

How it works

Application documents

EU Blue Card

How it works

Application documents

Work permit for athletes and coaches

How it works

Application documents

Work permit for performers

How it works

Application documents

Providing services to a client in Sweden

How it works

Application documents

Self-employed work

How it works

Application documents

Research work

How it works

Application documents

Swedish government guidance

Check for travel changes

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