--- title: "Sweden Student permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/higher-education/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Sweden · Student # Sweden Student permit **First stay:** 2 yrs Residence permit for higher education First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Savings needed:** SEK 11k a month ≈ $1,060 (Savings of at least SEK 10,656 a month (≈ $1,060) · For the whole period applied for (SEK 10,584 if applied in 2025); reduced by SEK 2,960 for free food and SEK 4,736 for free housing; add SEK 4,440 per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 per child. A fee of SEK 1,500 (≈ $150) · Adults; children under 18 SEK 750; Japanese citizens and World Maritime University students pay no fee.) - **First stay:** 2 yrs (Maximum one or two years depending on the institution, not longer than studies; extendable; two weeks added after the study period.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.) - **Work:** Yes (Bachelor and master students may work at most 15 hours per week (permits granted from 11 June 2026), with exceptions for work that is part of the education, student representation or administration, artistic research, and June to August.) - **Family:** Family can join (Spouse, partner and children under 18 can apply at the same time; funds of SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child are added. New family rules apply from 1 October 2026.) ## Key facts Student permit is a student route for Sweden. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** SEK 1,500 ≈ $150 - **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Cost, time and long term **Government fees: SEK 1,500 ≈ $150** - SEK 1,500 (≈ $150) Adults; children under 18 SEK (≈ $2) 750; Japanese citizens and World Maritime University students pay no fee. **Shown, not spent: SEK 11k+/mo ≈ $1,060** - SEK 10,656 a month (≈ $1,060) For the whole period applied for (SEK 10,584 (≈ $1,060) if applied in 2025); reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing; add SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child. **Renewal: Renewable** Extendable while you continue your studies. [Swedish Migration Agency](https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/study/higher-education.html) **Where to apply: From abroad** You must normally be outside Sweden when you apply, with exceptions for people already in Sweden on a valid permit. [Swedish Migration Agency](https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/study/higher-education.html) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Applications are made from outside Sweden, not after arriving - Needs a place at a school or university in Sweden - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicants are finally admitted to full-time on-site studies, 30 credits per semester at a university or university college. - Distance learning does not qualify. #### What you must show - The tuition fee is paid before applying. - Funds are SEK 10,656 (≈ $1,060) per month for the whole period applied for, if applied in 2026. - The amount is reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing. - SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month is added for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child. #### Documents - The admission decision and a bank statement issued within four months are submitted. - Comprehensive health insurance is submitted for studies under one year. #### Steps 1. The first permit is applied for from outside Sweden before travelling. ## 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Health insurance** Comprehensive health insurance is submitted for studies under one year - **Accommodation** The amount is reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing - **Bank account / funds** The admission decision and a bank statement issued within four months are submitted Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** For full-time first- or second-cycle studies at a university, university college or similar; tuition fees must be paid before applying; apply from outside Sweden. (source 1) #### What you must show and pay - Savings of at least SEK 10,656 a month (≈ $1,060) · For the whole period applied for (SEK 10,584 (≈ $1,060) if applied in 2025); reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing; add SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child. (source 1) - A fee of SEK 1,500 (≈ $150) · Adults; children under 18 SEK (≈ $2) 750; Japanese citizens and World Maritime University students pay no fee. (source 1) #### Requirements - Applicants are finally admitted to full-time on-site studies, 30 credits per semester at a university or university college. (source 1) - Distance learning does not qualify. (source 1) - The tuition fee is paid before applying. (source 1) - Funds are SEK 10,656 (≈ $1,060) per month for the whole period applied for, if applied in 2026. (source 1) - The amount is reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing. (source 1) - SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month is added for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child. (source 1) - The admission decision and a bank statement issued within four months are submitted. (source 1) - Comprehensive health insurance is submitted for studies under one year. (source 1) - The first permit is applied for from outside Sweden before travelling. (source 1) #### Stay - Maximum one or two years depending on the institution, not longer than studies; extendable; two weeks added after the study period. - First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. 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 Bachelor and master students may work at most 15 hours per week (permits granted from 11 June 2026), with exceptions for work that is part of the education, student representation or administration, artistic research, and June to August. #### Family Spouse, partner and children under 18 can apply at the same time; funds of SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child are added. New family rules apply from 1 October 2026. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Residence permit for higher education](https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/study/higher-education.html) · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11 ## Student permit and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Student permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Doctoral student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/doctoral-studies/) | – | 4 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) Portugal | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Student permit? Savings of at least SEK 10,656 a month (≈ $1,060). For the whole period applied for (SEK 10,584 (≈ $1,060) if applied in 2025); reduced by SEK 2,960 (≈ $300) for free food and SEK 4,736 (≈ $470) for free housing; add SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child. A fee of SEK 1,500 (≈ $150). Adults; children under 18 SEK (≈ $2) 750; Japanese citizens and World Maritime University students pay no fee. ### How long can I stay on the Student permit? Maximum one or two years depending on the institution, not longer than studies; extendable; two weeks added after the study period. ### Can I work on the Student permit? Yes. Bachelor and master students may work at most 15 hours per week (permits granted from 11 June 2026), with exceptions for work that is part of the education, student representation or administration, artistic research, and June to August. ### Can I bring my family on the Student permit? Spouse, partner and children under 18 can apply at the same time; funds of SEK 4,440 (≈ $440) per month for a spouse and SEK 2,664 (≈ $270) per child are added. ### Who can apply for the Student permit? Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. 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. ### How are Student permit holders taxed in Sweden? No special regime in our records is tied to the Student permit. 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 [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/working-holiday/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/self-employed-permit/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/eu-blue-card/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/ict-permit/) [Highly qualified job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/job-seeker-highly-qualified/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/researcher-permit/) [Seasonal work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/seasonal-work-permit/) [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/sweden/work-permit/) ## Study visas elsewhere [🇮🇹 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) [🇩🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇬🇧 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 1 official source.** 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. 1. [Residence permit for higher education](https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/study/higher-education.html) · Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.