Stricter conditions for family member immigration

Published: Thursday 13 August 2026 18.00

The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal to adapt Sweden's rules on who may be granted a residence permit as a family member to the minimum levels allowed under EU law.

The proposal means, for example, that:

• different rules will apply regarding opportunities to be a sponsor for Swedish citizens, other Nordic citizens and people with a permanent residence permit as well as people with a residence permit;
• for a residence permit to be granted on grounds of family ties to a person who has a temporary residence permit, the main rule will be that the sponsor is required to have been living in Sweden with a residence permit for at least two years. Exceptions may sometimes apply to unaccompanied minors and to refugees in certain situations;
• more stringent requirements will be introduced regarding maintenance requirements for family member immigration. The maintenance requirement will, for example, apply to a greater number of situations. The requirement will also apply to applications for a continued residence permit;
• the rules for residence permits will be adapted for immigration of close family members outside the nuclear family for extension situations. This means that it may be possible to grant a residence permit to a person below the age of 21 and who has previously been granted a residence permit on account of family ties as a child, but who has turned 18 years. The opportunities to apply for a residence permit from within Sweden will also be extended temporarily for certain immigrants who are applying as family members.

The amendments will come into force on 1 October 2026, with certain transitional provisions. The temporarily increased opportunities for certain immigrants who are family members to apply for and be granted a residence permit from within Sweden and opportunities to decide to stay the enforcement of an expulsion order for such aliens will cease on 1 January 2028.

Commitee report (in Swedish)

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