Working in Sweden

The short answer

Main routes	Work permit, EU Blue Card, intra-company transfer, seasonal work permit
Salary requirement (new permits from 1 June 2026)	at least 90% of the median salary published by Statistics Sweden, and in line with collective agreements
EU Blue Card	SEK 53,625 a month; permits now up to four years
Language	English widely used at work; Swedish valued for long-term integration
Who decides	Swedish Migration Agency

What changed in June 2026

Sweden replaced its previous earnings requirement with a new rule: first-time work permits decided on or after 1 June 2026 need a salary of at least 90% of the median salary. Extensions applied for before December 2026 still follow the older rule of 80% of the median. The government can exempt certain occupations; check the agency's site for any list. Other changes include longer Blue Cards (up to four years) and longer seasonal permits (up to nine months).

For most engineering and IT roles, the new threshold is not a barrier. For lower-paid roles in hospitality, cleaning and care, it makes Swedish work permits much harder to get.

Where the opportunities are

Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Lund host strong IT, telecom, automotive, gaming and life sciences sectors. Many Indian IT services firms have Swedish operations, and large Swedish industrial groups have deep ties with India.

How to apply

1. Get a job offer that meets the salary and collective agreement requirements, and includes insurance.
2. The employer starts the application online; you complete it.
3. Some employers are certified by the Migration Agency, which speeds up decisions.
4. On arrival, register with the Swedish Tax Agency for a personal identity number.