New rules on family reunification came into force in Sweden on 1 October 2026. The changes include a higher maintenance requirement, a two-year residence requirement for certain sponsors and new rules for young adults who previously held residence permits based on their relationship to a parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rules affect both people who want to move to a family member in Sweden and those applying to extend a residence permit based on family ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person living in Sweden whom a family member wishes to join is known as the sponsor. The applicable requirements depend on factors such as the sponsor\u2019s residence status, the relationship between the individuals and whether the application concerns a first-time permit or an extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main changes concern:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, a sponsor with a temporary residence permit must have lived in Sweden with a residence permit for at least two years before their family applies for residence permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The requirement must be met when the application is submitted. It is therefore not sufficient for the two-year period to pass while the Swedish Migration Agency is processing the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The purpose of the provision is to introduce a waiting period before family reunification becomes possible for certain people with temporary permits. The requirement does not apply to every sponsor, and several groups are covered by other rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sponsor must normally have sufficient income and suitable accommodation for the family. From 1 October 2026, the amount that must remain each month after housing costs have been paid was increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For 2026, the following amounts must remain after tax and housing costs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The amount required for a child is reduced by any child allowance and large-family supplement received. The exact maintenance requirement therefore depends on the size of the family, the children\u2019s ages and the cost of accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, the accommodation must be available for at least one year and be large enough for everyone who will live there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously, the maintenance requirement was primarily assessed when a person applied for a residence permit for the first time. From 1 October 2026, it also applies when a family member applies to extend a residence permit based on family ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When assessing an extension application, the Swedish Migration Agency may generally include income earned by the family member and other members of the household. The sponsor\u2019s income does not therefore always need to cover the entire maintenance requirement on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the new rules, a person who was granted a residence permit as a child based on their relationship to a parent may, in certain cases, continue to receive a residence permit after turning 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person who is at least 18 but under 21 may apply to extend their residence permit in order to continue living with their parent in Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person who has turned 21 must normally demonstrate a special relationship of dependence on the parent. This dependence must go beyond what is usual between parents and adult children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special temporary rules apply to certain young adults between 1 October 2026 and 31 December 2027. These rules cover people who held a residence permit as a child based on their relationship to a parent at some point after 1 October 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person covered by the rules may, under certain conditions, apply for a residence permit for reasons such as employment, university or other higher education, or continued family ties without first leaving Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rules also cover certain people whose expulsion decisions became legally binding on or after 1 January 2025. Permission to apply from within Sweden does not mean that a permit is granted automatically. The applicant must still meet the requirements for the type of residence permit sought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two-year requirement does not apply when the sponsor has refugee status and the family relationship was established before the refugee entered Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The requirement also does not apply to certain groups, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These groups are covered by other provisions governing residence permits for family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swedish Migration Agency may also grant an exemption when special grounds exist. The assessment is based on the circumstances of the individual case. Particular consideration is given to the child\u2019s age, the family\u2019s circumstances and the availability of care in the country of origin. If a child has no parent or other adult who can care for them in the country of origin, this will normally support an exemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The maintenance requirement does not apply when the sponsor is under 18. However, this exemption does not always apply when the child lives with a parent or legal guardian in Sweden and the other parent or legal guardian applies for a residence permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An exemption also applies when the sponsor is a Swedish citizen, a citizen of another EU or EEA country, or a Swiss citizen, and the application concerns a spouse or cohabiting partner in a well-established relationship. If the applicant has an accompanying child and the sponsor is not that child\u2019s parent or legal guardian, the maintenance requirement still applies in relation to the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A sponsor with refugee status is exempt from the maintenance requirement if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swedish Migration Agency may also grant a full or partial exemption when special grounds exist. This may apply, for example, if the sponsor has a permanently reduced capacity to work because of an illness or disability. In extension cases, the assessment must also take account of the family\u2019s establishment in Sweden, the length of their stay and their ability to live together in another country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The higher maintenance amount does not apply to an extension application if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From 2 October 2027, the higher amount will apply to all applications, including extension applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The temporary rules for young adults provide an exemption from the general rule that certain residence permits must be applied for and granted before the applicant enters Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exemption applies between 1 October 2026 and 31 December 2027 to a person who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person whose expulsion decision became legally binding on or after 1 January 2025 may also be covered, provided that the other conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, the new provisions apply from 1 October 2026. The rules used by the Swedish Migration Agency depend on factors such as the type of application, when the current permit was granted and when an extension application is submitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Special transitional rules apply to family members of a person who has long-term resident status in another EU country. A person whose current permit was granted before 1 October 2026 and who applies for an extension no later than 1 October 2027 will have their application assessed under the previous rules during the transitional period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The applicable rules depend on the sponsor\u2019s residence status, the family relationship and whether the application concerns a first-time permit or an extension. Our lawyers help you determine which rules and exemptions apply to your case and prepare your application to the Swedish Migration Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend:<\/strong> Wazima M. Aga<\/a>, Florita Telhaj<\/a>, Matilda Selander Persson<\/a>, Aja Wadii<\/a> <\/p>\n