long-term residency guide

new roots4 minutes

Bianca Amoruso Wennerbyfounder & c.e.o., Medensiaswedish immigration expertMedensia

Non-EU/EEA citizens can apply for EU long-term resident status in Sweden after 5 years of qualifying legal residence.

Long-term resident status is not the same as a permanent residence permit. If you are granted the status from 12 July 2026 onwards, you receive a 5-year residence permit alongside your long-term resident status.

You generally need to:

  • have lived legally in Sweden for five years
  • meet the residence requirements
  • be able to support yourself and your family
  • provide proof of your identity and other required documents

Family members do not automatically receive long-term resident status with you. Each family member must qualify separately, although family members who do not yet qualify may be able to apply for a residence permit to live with you.

After living legally in Sweden for 5 years, you may be able to apply for EU long-term resident status. It can give you greater security in Sweden and make it easier to move to another EU country for work or study.

Long-term resident status is not the same as a permanent residence permit. Since 12 July 2026, people granted long-term resident status in Sweden receive a 5-year residence permit alongside their status. The long-term resident status itself remains valid indefinitely, unless it is revoked.

This guide explains who can apply, what you need, how the application works, and what long-term resident status means for you and your family.

Long-term resident status gives you extra rights, similar to EU citizens, and usually comes with permanent residence. It makes travel, work, and study across the EU much easier.

  • Non-EU/EEA citizens
  • Have lived in Sweden legally for 5 years in a row
  • Can prove identity
  • Can support yourself and your family

Before you apply for long-term resident status, make sure you can provide:

  • 5 years of continuous legal residence in Sweden (valid residence permits or right of residence)
  • valid passport proving your identity
  • proof you can support yourself (and family if relevant) in the form of:
    • employment contract and payslips, business income, pension, or savings
    • tax agency income information (partner’s income can count)

proof of housing

You will need:

  • a rental contract or home ownership documents
  • rent/fee statements or housing loan interest/payment information
  • translations to Swedish of any documents not in Swedish or English (certified)
  • clear digital copies ready to upload in Migrationverket's online portal
year 0 — permit granted

You get your first legal residence permit (work, family, or protection). Start counting from day 1.

year 0-4 — stay steady
  • Live in Sweden continuously
  • Short trips out are okay:
    • Max 6 months in a row outside Sweden
    • Max 10 months total over 5 years
  • Keep all permits valid
year 4 — check your docs 
  • Make sure passports, IDs, and any proof of residence are up to date
  • Gather proof of income and housing—your future self will thank you
year 5 — apply
  • Submit your long-term resident application online
  • Upload: ID, income proof, housing documents, translations if needed
  • Apply for your current permit extension at the same time if you want extra protection
years 5-6 — play the waiting game 
  • Migration Agency processes applications
  • They may ask for extra info — respond quickly to avoid delays
  • Most decisions: 8–12 months, sometimes shorter, sometimes a little longer

From 12 July 2026, people granted long-term resident status no longer receive a permanent residence permit. Instead, they receive a 5-year residence permit alongside their long-term resident status.

This status is valid indefinitely, unless it is revoked. It gives you more rights, and makes travel, work and study across the EU much easier. Definitely a milestone worth celebrating!

If your long-term resident application is rejected:

  • You can appeal — a court will review the decision
  • No valid permit? If you don’t have another residence permit or application, you must leave Sweden by the deadline in the decision
  • Re-entry bans — can last 1–5 years if you don’t leave on time, abscond, or provide false information
  • Supervision or detention — may happen if the Migration Agency thinks you won’t cooperate
  • Police involvement — refusing to leave can lead to enforcement by the police
  • Plan your journey — arrange your passport, travel, and make sure you leave the Schengen area

Leaving Sweden properly removes the record from the Schengen Information System (SIS) and keeps your future options cleaner.

long term residency
1
check your time in sweden

☐ You need 5 years of continuous legal residence — with a valid residence permit or right of residence.

2
prove your identity

☐ Get your passport ready. Make sure it’s valid and clearly shows your details.

3
show financial stability

Send documents proving you can support yourself (and your family, if applicable):

☐ Employment contract + recent pay-slips

☐ Self-employment income statements

☐ Pension statements

☐ Bank statements

☐ Tax Agency income info (partner’s income can count too)

4
prove housing

Provide proof that you have a roof over your head:

☐ Rental contract or home purchase documents

☐ Rent notice or monthly fees

☐ Loan interest info if applicable

5
translate documents if needed

☐ All documents must be in Swedish or English. Certified translations are required. Include originals too.

6
apply online

☐ Submit all documents clearly and legibly via Migrationsverket portal. Blurry copies = slow process.

  • Family members do not automatically get long-term resident status when you do. Each family member must meet the requirements themselves and submit their own application
  • If a family member has not yet lived in Sweden for 5 years, they may instead be able to apply for a residence permit to live with you as a close family member
  • Family reunification: If your family member applies to live with you because they do not yet qualify for long-term resident status, you may need to meet a maintenance and housing requirement
  • This application only covers long-term resident status; it does not automatically extend or replace your current work, study or family permit
  • Approved long-term resident status gives you additional rights in the EU, but it does not automatically give your family members the same status

  • Apply for long-term resident status and extend your current permit at the same time to avoid gaps
  • Keep digital and physical copies of all documents
  • Check your application frequently for messages from the Migration Agency

↗︎ Apply for long term resident status in Sweden 

how much does long term residency cost?
  • Adults: SEK 1,000
  • Children: SEK 500

Fee is not refunded if your application is rejected.

who doesn’t pay?
  • Family of Nordic citizens
  • EU/EEA or Swiss citizens and their families
  • Japanese citizens
  • People in need of protection (asylum, TPD)
does time without a permit count?

Sometimes. Only if you had right of residence or permanent right of residence.

can I travel during the 5 years?

Short trips are fine, but:

  • no single trip longer than 6 months
  • no total absences over 10 months in 5 years
what breaks my 5-year count?
  • Gaps between permits
  • Extended travel outside Sweden
  • Short-term stays for studies below PhD level generally don’t count
my permit is expiring soon — what now?

Apply for long-term resident status while your permit is valid.

Consider extending your current permit too, just in case.

how long does it take?

Most cases: 8–12 months.

Delays happen if documents are incomplete or extra checks are needed.