Sunil Rao| Rule / Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median salary (SCB, June 2026) | SEK 38,300/month | Published 16 June 2026 by Statistics Sweden (SCB) |
| Standard work permit floor (90%) | SEK 34,470/month | Applies to all new applications from 16 June 2026 |
| Exemption minimum (75%) | SEK 28,725/month | For qualifying exempt categories (e.g. tech start-ups) |
| EU Blue Card floor | SEK 52,000/month | 1.25× average gross salary — unaffected by median update |
| Transitional extension window | Until 1 Dec 2026 | Pre-June permits extending before 1 Dec use old 80% floor |
| Old extension floor (80%) | SEK 30,640/month | Applies only to transitional extensions before 1 Dec 2026 |
| Health insurance | Required | Mandatory for stays up to 1 year — new from 1 June 2026 |
What changed and when
Two separate changes raised the salary requirement for Swedish work permits within a few weeks of each other. First, on 1 June 2026, new legislation came into force replacing the old maintenance requirement with a fixed 90%-of-median formula. Second, on 16 June 2026, Statistics Sweden (SCB) published its annual median salary update, raising the median to SEK 38,300 a month.
The combination means that anyone submitting a work permit application from 16 June 2026 onward must show a monthly salary of at least SEK 34,470 — the product of SEK 38,300 multiplied by 0.90.
How the 90% formula works
The salary requirement is not a fixed number. It is recalculated each time SCB updates the median salary — which happens once a year, typically in June. The median that applies to your application is the one published on the day you submit.
If you apply to extend a permit and SCB has updated the median since your original application, the new floor applies to your extension. The transitional rule (see below) is the only exception to this.
Transitional rules for permit renewals
If you were granted a work permit before 1 June 2026 and you apply to extend it between 1 June and 1 December 2026, you are not subject to the new 90% floor. Instead, your salary must be at least 80% of the median that applied at the time of your renewal application. With the median at SEK 38,300, that transitional floor is SEK 30,640 a month.
From 2 December 2026 onward, all renewals — including those from pre-June permit holders — must meet the full 90% requirement of SEK 34,470.
Who is exempt from the salary floor?
Tech and life science companies fewer than five years old with fewer than 100 employees qualify for an exemption. So do applicants covered by specific collective agreements where the agreed minimum is lower, and researchers covered by the Scientific Researchers Directive. In all exempt cases, the salary must still be at least 75% of the median — SEK 28,725 a month from 16 June 2026.
Exemptions do not apply automatically. The employer must document the exemption basis in the permit application. Migrationsverket will assess it as part of the case.
New: health insurance required for short stays
From 1 June 2026, anyone applying for a work permit for a stay of up to one year must show that they have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance covering Sweden. An application submitted without health insurance evidence is considered incomplete and does not start the normal processing clock.
Sources
NordDaily Tips
Actionable Tip: Make sure your occupational pension and health insurance coverage are explicitly included in your employment contract. Rejections are often triggered by minor insurance gaps rather than the salary threshold itself.
Related articles
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary for a Swedish work permit in 2026?
From 16 June 2026, the minimum is SEK 34,470 a month — 90% of Sweden's median salary of SEK 38,300 (Statistics Sweden / SCB). The salary must also match collective agreement levels for the role.
What was the salary requirement before June 2026?
Before 1 June 2026, the requirement was an 80% maintenance threshold based on the previous year's median salary. The new rules, effective from 1 June, replaced this with a 90% floor tied to the current median.
What happens if I renew my permit and my salary is below the new threshold?
If your current permit was issued before 1 June 2026 and you apply to extend it before 1 December 2026, the old 80% floor of SEK 30,640 applies. From 2 December 2026, you must meet the full 90% floor of SEK 34,470.
Is health insurance required for a Swedish work permit?
Yes, from 1 June 2026, if your stay is one year or less you must show that you have or have applied for comprehensive health insurance covering Sweden. Applications without this evidence are considered incomplete.
What is the salary requirement for the EU Blue Card in 2026?
The EU Blue Card requires a monthly salary of at least SEK 52,000 — set at 1.25 times the average gross salary published by the National Mediation Office (Medlingsinstitutet). This threshold is separate from the 90% median formula used for standard work permits.
Estimate only. Talk to a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.