Sweden tightens minimum salary rules for migrant workers

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Sweden will raise the income threshold for foreign workers from 80% to 90% of the national median salary, SVT Nyheter reports. The change will take effect on 1 June 2026 and is aimed at combating labour-market fraud. The government stresses it has considered employers’ needs amid persistent skills shortages.

An agreement between the government and the Sweden Democrats is a compromise after protracted talks on new labour-migration rules. An earlier proposal to lift the threshold to 100%—equal to SEK 37,100—was dropped. Labour Minister Johan Britz said he does not support such a sharp tightening, calling it excessive and risky for the economy.

In the end, the level will rise by 10 percentage points to strengthen controls without unduly hampering overseas recruitment. Migration Minister Johan Forssell underlined that the updated rules should “fight fraud while meeting employers’ real needs.”



From June 2026, the minimum monthly pay for foreign workers will reach SEK 33,900 (~€3,082). Where needed, the government may set a lower threshold for shortage occupations; some professions could be excluded from eligibility. Thus the new framework will be more flexible than the initial version envisaged in the Tidö Agreement (Tidöavtalet).

The Tidö Agreement was signed on 14 October 2022 by the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals and Sweden Democrats. It underpins the current government and sets policy lines in migration, security and the economy.

Sweden is also considering changes to the single work-and-residence permit for third-country nationals. The reform aims to align national rules with the updated EU directive and boost Sweden’s competitiveness for skilled talent. The bill has been submitted to Parliament and, if approved, would enter into force on 21 May 2026.

The main change is removing the strict tie to a specific employer and position. Today, a job change requires a fresh application; under the reform, a notification to the Migration Agency would suffice. This should reduce dependency on employers and improve legal protection. The first permit would be issued for two years instead of the current six months. The grace period for job search after termination would also increase. Employers would be barred from passing application costs to employees. Processing times at the Migration Agency would be cut from 120 to 90 days.



At the same time, Sweden is discussing scrapping permanent residence for refugees, UN quota beneficiaries, holders of humanitarian status and long-term EU residents—replacing it with temporary permits. The government is also drawing on proposals from the September report “Tightened conditions for family immigration.” They include a two-year waiting period for some applicants, higher income requirements and a narrower definition of family eligible for reunification. Sweden Democrats migration spokesperson Ludvig Aspling said the overarching course is to minimise family immigration within EU and international law.

Citizenship rules will change as well: mandatory exams in Swedish language and civics, longer residency and employment requirements, and higher income thresholds. Since June 2025, a new personal identification system for applicants at the Migration Agency has been in place to prevent identity masking and links to extremist networks. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer stressed the tougher rules respond to heightened threats tied to violence, extremism and foreign intelligence activity. He also noted the government is considering revocation of citizenship for dual nationals suspected of terrorist or subversive activity.

In 2026, Sweden will set up a commission to explore tougher criminal liability for employers who hire subcontractors using undocumented workers—another step to curb violations and protect transparency in the labour market.