Sweden · Spouse visas
Sweden Spouse of a resident
Income needed: SEK 13k+ a month ≈ $1,340
Residence permit to live with a partner (spouse or partner of a foreigner living in Sweden)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Sweden. Applicants need income of SEK 13k+ a month ≈ $1,340. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- SEK 13k+ a month ≈ $1,340
- Government fees
- SEK 2,000 ≈ $200
- First stay
- 2 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee SEK 2,000 ≈ $200; income to show SEK 13k+/mo ≈ $1,340. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government feesSEK 2,000 ≈ $200
- SEK 2,000 (≈ $200)Application fee for an adult; SEK 1,000 (≈ $100) for a child under 18.
Shown, not spentSEK 13k+/mo ≈ $1,340
- SEK 13,408 a month (≈ $1,340)Amount that must remain after tax and rent for cohabiting spouses or partners in 2026 (SEK 8,116 (≈ $810) for a single adult, plus SEK 4,337 (≈ $430) to 6,941 per child by age). For an extension of a permit granted before 1 October 2026, registered no later than 1 October 2027, the 2026 amounts are lower: SEK 10,314 (≈ $1,030) for a couple, SEK 6,243 (≈ $620) for a single adult and SEK 3,336 (≈ $330) to 5,339 per child by age.
RenewalRenewable
Granted for the sponsor's permit period, otherwise up to two years, and extendable.
Permanent residenceAfter 3 years of residence
Permanent residence after at least 3 years on a partner permit, if you meet the maintenance and conduct requirements.
CitizenshipAfter 8 years of residence
The main rule is 8 years of continuous residence in Sweden, plus knowledge of Swedish language and society for ages 16 to 66.
Where to applyFrom abroad
You must normally be outside Sweden when you apply, with listed exceptions.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Applications are made from outside Sweden, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
- Only from age 21
What you'll need
Who can apply3
- Applicant is married to, a registered partner of, or a cohabiting partner of a foreigner in Sweden, or plans to enter such a relationship; both partners are over 21.
- The person in Sweden holds a permanent residence permit or status, or a temporary permit of at least one year with well-founded prospects of permanence.
- A person with a temporary permit must have resided in Sweden on a permit for at least two years before the application, unless an exception applies.
What you must show3
- The person in Sweden shows regular income leaving at least SEK 13,408 (≈ $1,340) per month after tax and rent for a cohabiting couple in 2026.
- For an extension of a permit granted before 1 October 2026 and registered no later than 1 October 2027, the 2026 amount for a cohabiting couple is SEK 10,314 (≈ $1,030) per month.
- The person in Sweden has a home of sufficient size for at least one year, and the application fee is SEK 2,000 (≈ $200) for an adult and SEK 1,000 (≈ $100) for a child under 18.
Documents2
- Copies of the applicant's passport and the marriage certificate or equivalent, or a certificate of being unmarried.
- The person in Sweden submits a questionnaire with a lease or ownership document and income documents such as an employment contract and tax data.
Steps1
- Applicant names a Swedish embassy or consulate-general for an interview about the relationship and presents the passport there.
After you arrive1
- The permit matches the temporary permit period of the person in Sweden, and otherwise lasts up to two years, never longer than the passport is valid.
When you become tax resident
How Sweden decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 2 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
A person is liable to tax on worldwide income if domiciled in Sweden (population register), staying regularly in Sweden (six consecutive months or more; short departures do not interrupt) or having significant connections to Sweden after moving away.
- Foreign-source income
Earned income (employment, business, pension), including foreign-source income of residents, after the basic allowance (grundavdrag); municipal tax at the municipality's rate (national average 32.38% for 2026, range 28.93% to 35.65%) on all taxable earned income, and national tax of 20% on the part of taxable earned income above SEK 643,000 (≈ $64,100).
All tax rules for Sweden Tax records checked
What you need to arrange
- Accommodation
The person in Sweden submits a questionnaire with a lease or ownership document and income documents such as an employment contract and tax data
- Police certificate and civil documents
Copies of the applicant's passport and the marriage certificate or equivalent, or a certificate of being unmarried
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
Residence permit for the spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner of a foreigner in Sweden with a permanent permit or a temporary permit with prospects of permanence; the person in Sweden must meet a maintenance requirement. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least SEK 13,408 a month (≈ $1,340) · Amount that must remain after tax and rent for cohabiting spouses or partners in 2026 (SEK 8,116 (≈ $810) for a single adult, plus SEK 4,337 (≈ $430) to 6,941 per child by age). For an extension of a permit granted before 1 October 2026, registered no later than 1 October 2027, the 2026 amounts are lower: SEK 10,314 (≈ $1,030) for a couple, SEK 6,243 (≈ $620) for a single adult and SEK 3,336 (≈ $330) to 5,339 per child by age. 2
- A fee of SEK 2,000 (≈ $200) · Application fee for an adult; SEK 1,000 (≈ $100) for a child under 18. 1
Requirements
- Applicant is married to, a registered partner of, or a cohabiting partner of a foreigner in Sweden, or plans to enter such a relationship; both partners are over 21. 1
- The person in Sweden holds a permanent residence permit or status, or a temporary permit of at least one year with well-founded prospects of permanence. 1
- A person with a temporary permit must have resided in Sweden on a permit for at least two years before the application, unless an exception applies. 1
- The person in Sweden shows regular income leaving at least SEK 13,408 (≈ $1,340) per month after tax and rent for a cohabiting couple in 2026. 2
- For an extension of a permit granted before 1 October 2026 and registered no later than 1 October 2027, the 2026 amount for a cohabiting couple is SEK 10,314 (≈ $1,030) per month. 2
- The person in Sweden has a home of sufficient size for at least one year, and the application fee is SEK 2,000 (≈ $200) for an adult and SEK 1,000 (≈ $100) for a child under 18. 2 1
- Copies of the applicant's passport and the marriage certificate or equivalent, or a certificate of being unmarried. 1
- The person in Sweden submits a questionnaire with a lease or ownership document and income documents such as an employment contract and tax data. 1
- Applicant names a Swedish embassy or consulate-general for an interview about the relationship and presents the passport there. 1
- The permit matches the temporary permit period of the person in Sweden, and otherwise lasts up to two years, never longer than the passport is valid. 1
Stay
- Same period as the sponsor's temporary permit, otherwise up to two years and never longer than the passport is valid.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Work
The permit gives the right to work and study.
Official sources
- Live with a partner · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
- Maintenance requirement for reference persons · Swedish Migration Agency · checked 2026-10-11
- Extend a residence permit to live with a partner (permanent residence after three years) · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
- Citizenship for adults · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a resident and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a resident | Needs income of SEK 13k+ a month ≈ $1,340 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Spouse of a citizen | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse of a resident?
Income of at least SEK 13,408 a month (≈ $1,340). Amount that must remain after tax and rent for cohabiting spouses or partners in 2026 (SEK 8,116 (≈ $810) for a single adult, plus SEK 4,337 (≈ $430) to 6,941 per child by age). A fee of SEK 2,000 (≈ $200). Application fee for an adult; SEK 1,000 (≈ $100) for a child under 18.
How long can I stay on the Spouse of a resident?
Same period as the sponsor's temporary permit, otherwise up to two years and never longer than the passport is valid.
Can I work on the Spouse of a resident?
The permit gives the right to work and study.
Who can apply for the Spouse of a resident?
Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Does the Spouse of a resident lead to permanent residence in Sweden?
Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Sweden, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 8 years of residence.
How are Spouse of a resident holders taxed in Sweden?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a resident. The standard rules apply: Residents pay municipal income tax at an average 32.38% (2026, set by each municipality and region) on income after the basic allowance, plus 20% national income tax on taxable earned income above SEK 643,000, (≈ $64,100) so the marginal rate is about 52%; residents are taxed on income from all countries (unlimited tax liability). Non-residents working under six months can pay flat 22.5% SINK.
More in Sweden
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Live with a partner · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
- Maintenance requirement for reference persons · Swedish Migration Agency · checked 2026-10-11
- Extend a residence permit to live with a partner (permanent residence after three years) · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
- Citizenship for adults · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.