Sweden Self-Employed Residence Permit

Sweden has no digital nomad visa. The residence permit for self-employed people is for non-EU nationals who will run their own business in Sweden, own at least 51% of it and carry the main responsibility for it. The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) decides applications (Migrationsverket).

• Money to live on: SEK 200,000 in a bank account in the applicant's name, plus SEK 100,000 for a spouse and SEK 50,000 per child
• Fee: SEK 2,000 for the applicant
• First permit: up to 2 years, never longer than the passport is valid
• Later: extendable while the business runs as planned, with permanent residence possible after two years

It does not fit remote workers employed abroad or freelancers serving foreign clients without a Swedish business. Their options, including Schengen short stays, are covered in the Sweden country guide.

Migrationsverket's conditions (Migrationsverket):

• Ownership: At least 51 percent of the business, with decisive responsibility for running it
• Experience: solid experience in the industry and of running a business
• Language: relevant knowledge of Swedish or English, and good Swedish where the customers or suppliers are Swedish
• Business case: a credible budget and established customer contacts
• Personal funds: SEK 200,000 for the applicant's own living costs for two years, SEK 100,000 for an accompanying spouse and SEK 50,000 for each accompanying child. The account need not be in Sweden, but the money must be transferable
• Business funds: money to start or buy the business must be the applicant's own; loans are not normally accepted
• Passport: valid for the whole permit period

Family: Yes. Adult family members and children who turn 16 during the year may work. Migrationsverket notes proposals for stricter family rules from Jan. 1, 2027.

Migrationsverket asks for (Migrationsverket):

• Certified copies of the passport
• Bank statements for the last three months and proof of the required personal funds
• The company's registration certificate
• Partnership agreements or the share register, showing ownership
• Contracts with customers, suppliers and for premises
• Financial statements and annual accounts for an existing business
• Language certificates, education certificates and references from earlier employers

• Applicant: SEK 2,000
• Each adult family member: SEK 1,500
• Each child: SEK 750

Japanese citizens pay no fee. Fees are not refunded if the application is refused (Migrationsverket).

The personal funds of SEK 200,000 for the applicant are not a fee; they show the applicant can live for two years. A couple needs SEK 200,000 plus SEK 100,000. Business start-up money, translations and company registration costs come on top.

Where to apply: Online through the Migrationsverket e-service, or on paper at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general; applicants may need to present a passport or be interviewed at an embassy. (Migrationsverket)

1. Prepare the business documents and proof of funds
2. Apply through the e-service, or on paper at an embassy or consulate-general, and pay the fee
3. Present the passport or attend an interview if the embassy asks
4. On approval, give fingerprints and a photo for the residence permit card

Waiting time: Migrationsverket publishes no figure for complete applications because too few have been decided. For incomplete applications, 75% of recent cases were decided within 11 months. Sending a complete file is the main thing applicants control.

The first permit runs up to 2 years and never past the passport's expiry (Migrationsverket).

Extension: Extendable while the business is run as planned: Migrationsverket checks that taxes and fees are paid, accounts are kept, required permits are held and the business is profitable and supports the holder and family. Applications can be filed no more than two months before the permit expires, and the fee for the self-employed applicant is SEK 2,000 (Migrationsverket).

The extension file includes annual accounts and balance sheets, tax returns, six months of bank statements, housing costs, proof of ownership and customer or supplier contracts.

Permanent residence: Permanent residence can be requested at the extension stage after at least two years on the permit, if the business supports the holder sustainably from taxed profits (2026 standard amount SEK 6,243 a month for a single adult after housing costs). Only taxed business income counts.

The permit carries no special tax regime; ordinary Swedish rules apply. Skatteverket's test: Unlimited tax liability if domiciled in Sweden, staying regularly (six consecutive months or more) or having significant connections to Sweden. (Skatteverket)

A person with unlimited tax liability is taxed in Sweden on all income, whether it comes from Sweden or abroad. Others are taxed only on certain income from Sweden.

Permit holders who move to Sweden to run the business will usually stay six months or more and so become fully liable. Anyone with income or assets abroad should check any tax treaty between Sweden and their home country.