Sweden

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it).

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the Member State concerned).

The Swedish Migration Agency sets a salary threshold each year that you need to exceed in order to be eligible for an EU Blue Card. The salary threshold is the equivalent of one and a half times the average gross salary and this amount is calculated in cooperation with the Swedish National Mediation Office, the authority in charge of Sweden's official salary statistics.

For 2023, the salary threshold is SEK 55,650 per month.

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

No.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Sweden does not apply a labour market test.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Sweden is: two years.

Specific rules: in Sweden, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period of up to two years. If the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued or the duration of the contract plus three months, as long as this does not exceed two years. The EU Blue Card may be renewed but the total validity of one or more EU Blue Cards may not exceed four years. After four years, the applicant may apply for permanent residence.

The first time you receive an EU Blue Card, it will be valid for at least one year and at most two years. The card entitles you to work in Sweden for the employer and within the occupation that you entered on your application. The card is valid for the period stated in the decision. For the first 24 months, the EU Blue Card is only valid for the employer and the occupation specified in your decision. When you have worked for 24 months and have extended your card, you can change employers without submitting a fresh application, provided that you are working within the same occupation. If you want to change your occupation or work for longer than you have a permit for, you need to apply for an extension. You should inform the Swedish Migration Agency if your employment ceases or your salary is reduced so you no longer reach the specified salary threshold. If you do not notify the Swedish Migration Agency of changes in your employment, you risk having an application to extend your EU Blue Card rejected, or having your present EU Blue Card withdrawn.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee: 2000 SEK (175 EUR).

Renewal: 221 EUR. Replacement: 221 EUR.

Fee for express issuance: N/A.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Sweden is 90 days.

The Swedish Migration Agency

More information on migrating to Sweden

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