moving to live with family

Family reunification in Sweden is not only for partners.

You may be able to apply if you want to live with:

• your child in Sweden
• your parent in Sweden
• a parent if you are under 18
• another close family member in special cases

Each situation has slightly different rules, but the main idea is simple: Sweden allows families to live together whenever possible.

children joining a parent 

This is one of the most common family applications.

Children under 18 can often receive a residence permit to live with:

• a parent who lives in Sweden
• a parent who has citizenship or a residence permit

Important things Migrationsverket checks:

• proof of the parent-child relationship
• custody arrangements
• whether the move is in the child’s best interests

Children who move to Sweden can attend school and access healthcare like other children living here.

parents joining children 

In some cases, parents can move to Sweden to live with their children.

This may apply when:

• the parent depends heavily on the child for care or support
• the family relationship is especially strong

These cases are reviewed carefully and depend on the specific situation.

other close family members

Sometimes other relatives may qualify for family reunification.

For example:

• adult children joining parents in special situations
• relatives who depend on a family member living in Sweden

These cases usually require showing strong family ties and dependency.

Sweden introduced new rules for family reunification on 1 October 2026. The changes affect some people applying to join family members in Sweden, but the requirements depend on the type of residence permit held by the person already living here and the family relationship.

Key changes include:

• A 2-year residence requirement: in general, a person holding a temporary residence permit must have lived in Sweden with a residence permit for at least 2 years before their family can join them (exceptions apply, including in certain cases involving refugees)
• Stricter financial requirements: more applicants must meet the maintenance requirement, which means having sufficient income and suitable housing (the requirement can also apply when extending an existing family residence permit)
• Temporary rules for young adults: some people who arrived in Sweden as children can apply to extend their residence permits on family grounds under temporary rules running until 31 December 2027

Separate rules also took effect on 1 October 2026 for family members of people with long-term resident status in another EU country.

The rules are complex and exceptions apply. Check Migrationsverket's current guidance for your specific family situation before applying.

Families from around the world choose Sweden for good reasons, for example:

• strong family policies
• excellent education system
• accessible healthcare
• a safe and stable society
• welcoming communities

For children especially, Sweden offers a safe environment with strong support for education and development.

In many family-reunification cases, the person living in Sweden must show that they can support themselves and the family member applying to join them. They must generally have:

• sufficient income or qualifying assets to cover living costs
• suitable housing for the household

The rules and exemptions depend on the type of residence permit, the family relationship and whether the application is a first-time application or an extension.

Since 1 October 2026, the requirement also applies to more extension applications. Transitional rules may apply to some existing permit holders, so check Migrationsverket's current guidance before applying.

Most people apply from outside Sweden. There is no fixed processing time, and the total time can vary significantly depending on the type of application, whether your application is complete, and whether Migrationsverket needs additional information.

Here’s a rough guide to what the process may involve:

week 1

☐ Submit your residence permit application online via the Migrationsverket.

weeks 2–6

☐ The person living in Sweden receives questions about their income, housing and relationship. They normally need to respond within 14 days.

weeks 6–16

☐ Attend an interview at a Swedish embassy or consulate, if requested. You may also need to present your passport and provide biometric information.

after the interview

☐ Migrationsverket reviews your application and may request additional documents or information.

decision

☐ Migrationsverket makes a decision. If approved, you can receive your residence permit card and move to Sweden, subject to the requirements for your case.

Once your residence permit is approved, you can move and begin settling in.

Typical next steps include:

• travelling to Sweden
• registering with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency)
• applying for a personnummer (personal identity number)
• enrolling children in school or preschool
• accessing healthcare services

Sweden’s systems are designed to help families integrate and settle safely.

If a family residence permit application is rejected, the decision letter usually explains the reasons and whether the decision can be appealed.

Depending on the situation, families may be able to:

• appeal the decision
• provide additional documents
• apply again later with updated information

Common reasons for rejection can include:

• missing relationship documentation
• maintenance requirement problems
• unclear custody arrangements
• insufficient evidence of dependency in special cases

Appeal deadlines are usually strict, so it is important to review the decision carefully and act quickly if needed.