Sweden introduced work permit reforms on June 1, 2026, covering new salary thresholds, mandatory comprehensive health insurance for standard permit categories, employer compliance checks, and changes to permit durations.
The EU has reached a deal to overhaul air passenger rights, maintaining 3-hour delay compensation payouts and introducing new transparency requirements for hand baggage fees. The reform is also intended to make claims easier to process.
New work permit rules took effect in Sweden on June 1, 2026, affecting employers hiring non-EU/EEA nationals. Changes include a new salary requirement and expanded grounds for the Swedish Migration Agency to reject applications.
From June 1, 2026, Swedish work permit applicants must earn at least 90% of the Swedish median salary, following the Swedish Migration Agency's confirmation of the final occupation lists under Bill Prop. 2025/26:87. Certain occupations are exempted from or excluded from this threshold requirement.
Sweden's Riksdag has reformed residence permit rules for researchers, doctoral candidates, and higher-education students, taking effect June 11, 2026, with some provisions for researchers and doctoral candidates available from June 1, 2026. The changes improve pathways for researchers and doctoral candidates while tightening conditions for higher-education students.
From June 1, 2026, Sweden will require work permit applicants to earn at least 90% of the median salary in Sweden. The government has published a list of occupations that are exempt from this new salary rule.
Australia and the EU have concluded a trade agreement after eight years of negotiations that includes labor mobility provisions allowing professionals to work for up to four years. Ratification is expected to take approximately two years before the provisions take effect.
Sweden's parliament has passed new citizenship rules taking effect June 6, 2026, introducing stricter habitual residence and conduct requirements. Applicants will also need to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and a good knowledge of the Swedish language.
From June 11, 2026, Sweden will restrict international students on residence permits to approximately 15 hours of paid work per week during academic terms. The change aligns with EU minimum standards for student work rights.
Sweden has passed a law extending the residency requirement for naturalization to 8 years and introducing an income threshold. Approximately 100,000 pending applicants will be subject to the new rules retroactively, after transitional protections failed by a single vote.