Sunil RaoTo qualify for permanent residency (PUT) or family reunification permits in Sweden, Migrationsverket enforces a strict maintenance requirement försörjningskrav (maintenance requirement). You must demonstrate that your net monthly salary covers both your household's basic living expenses (normalbelopp) and your full monthly housing costs.
1. The 2026 Living Cost Baseline (Normalbelopp)
The Swedish government updates the normalbelopp baseline annually based on inflation and price basic amount (PBB) adjustments. For 2026, the monthly net living cost baselines (after housing expenses) are:
- Single Adult: SEK 6,090/month
- Cohabiting Spouses / Partners: SEK 10,061/month
- Children (0–6 years): SEK 3,255/month
- Children (7–10 years): SEK 3,880/month
- Children (11–14 years): SEK 4,465/month
- Children (15+ years): SEK 5,135/month
2. Housing Cost & Employment Duration Rules
Your monthly rent or mortgage interest + monthly fee for a bostadsrätt (housing co-op apartment) is added directly to your required normalbelopp. Furthermore, your employment must be permanent (tillsvidareanställning) or have a remaining contract duration of at least 18 months from the decision date.
2026 Financial Case Study: Consider a cohabiting couple with one 8-year-old child living in a rented apartment costing SEK 11,500/month. The required 2026 normalbelopp is SEK 10,061 (spouses) + SEK 3,880 (child) = SEK 13,941. Adding the SEK 11,500 rent brings the total required net household income to SEK 25,441/month after tax.
3. 2026 Normalbelopp Summary Checklist Table
| Household Member Category | 2026 Net Monthly Baseline | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single Adult | SEK 6,090 / mo | Food, clothing, hygiene, phone, leisure after rent |
| Cohabiting Spouses / Partners | SEK 10,061 / mo | Combined baseline living expenses for both adults |
| Child (Ages 0–6) | SEK 3,255 / mo per child | Food, diapers, healthcare, childcare baseline |
| Child (Ages 7–10) | SEK 3,880 / mo per child | School supplies, clothing, leisure activities |
| Child (Ages 11–14) | SEK 4,465 / mo per child | Transport, activities, growing food expenses |
| Child (Ages 15+) | SEK 5,135 / mo per child | Full youth baseline living allowance |
4. Submitting Income Proof to Migrationsverket
When submitting your application, attach your latest 3 monthly payslips (lönespecifikationer), your employment contract (anställningsavtal), tax registration certificates (skatteverksintyg), and a signed lease agreement showing monthly rental breakdown.
NordDaily Tips
Actionable Tip: Before submitting your permit application, run your net household pay and rent figures through our Maintenance Checker to ensure you have a clean safety margin.
Sources
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Frequently asked questions
What counts as acceptable housing under Migrationsverket's maintenance rules?
You must hold a primary lease (förstahandskontrakt), an approved sublease (andrahandskontrakt) valid for at least 1 year, or an owned home bostadsrätt (housing co-op apartment) or villa with adequate rooms for your household size.
Can both spouses combine income to meet the maintenance requirement?
Yes. Both partners' net salaries can be combined to fulfill the total maintenance threshold, provided both hold valid work/residence permits and permanent employment contracts.
What is the minimum contract duration for employment under försörjningskrav (maintenance requirement)?
Your employment contract must be permanent (tillsvidareanställning) or have a remaining duration of at least 18 months from the date Migrationsverket processes your decision.
Estimate only. Talk to a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.
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