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Is Earning Rs 2.7 Lakh a Month Enough to Secure Permanent Residency in Sweden? 

If you are an Indian seeking to live in the beautiful country of Sweden, 2025 is the right time. It is a beautiful country in Northern Europe. It is a Nordic country with breathtaking aurora borealis and globally renowned brands such as IKEA, H&M, Volvo and Spotify. Sweden is a country that focuses on practising and promoting sustainable living through renewable energy and recycling practices.  

For many Indian entrepreneurs and individuals working in Sweden, getting permanent residency is a dream come true. Sweden is one of the happiest, safest and most progressive countries in the world, and according to the new 2025 income rule, if you are earning Rs 2.7 lakh a month in Sweden, you can apply for permanent residency and enjoy the benefits the country offers its residents.  

While the process might seem challenging, the new rule will make it significantly easier for high earning professionals like you to qualify for a work permit and eventually get a permanent residency in Sweden. Here is everything you need to know about getting a permanent residency in Sweden as an Indian working in the country.  

Life in Sweden  

Sweden is known for its beautiful scenery and attractive business opportunities. Apart from its landscape, the country is renowned for its high quality of life, and it consecutively ranks high in the standard of living, safety of the people, citizens’ well-being and has a strong social welfare system. Additionally, Sweden follows the Egalitarian principles, which believe that everyone should be given equal opportunities to succeed, equal rights and equal status regardless of gender, religion or race.  

The country offers free education and top-tier healthcare, which allows a comfortable life for all the citizens of Sweden. The country has a peaceful environment with work-life balance, where most individuals work 40 hours a week and have a generous vacation time, parental leave and flexible working conditions. Sweden also has a diverse and growing international community due to the country’s welcoming nature.  

Whether you want to live near the modern streets of Stockholm, enjoy the Northern Lights in Lapland or experience the Santa’s Winter Village in Pajala, life in Sweden is both exciting and fulfilling. 

The New Income Rule in Sweden for Work Permit and Permanent Residency 

On June 17th 2025, the Swedish government announced the new rule for Permanent Residency in Sweden. The key rule is the increased requirement of salary for foreign individuals working in the country to be eligible for a work permit and permanent residency.  

To either hold, apply for, or renew a work permit in Sweden and to be eligible to apply for a Swedish permanent residency, you will need to earn a monthly income of SEK 29,680 after tax, which is roughly Rs 2.76 lakh, and it is 80% of Sweden’s median salary. To apply for permanent residency, you will first need to meet the work permit requirement, along with the increased salary rule and have worked for 48 months in Sweden.  

If the authority has approved the work permit for you before the implementation of the new salary rule and your income is below the required amount, your application will be rejected. The new rule is mandatory for most of the non-EU/EEA citizens seeking to work in the country, and it applies to both new applications and renewals.  

However, some groups are exempted from this new rule, like Blue Card holders, some EU/EEA citizens, researchers, interns, seasonal workers, athletes and au pairs. 

Who can Apply for Permanent Residency in Sweden?  

The key requirements to be eligible for Permanent Residency in Sweden are:   

• To be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Sweden, you will first need to live and work in the country with a valid work visa of 48 months, which is generally a two-year work permit.  
• For permanent residency in Sweden, you should have worked in the country for a minimum of 44 months in the last seven years. 
• You must be eligible to apply for a work permit renewal, which also means that you meet the employment standards and conditions of Sweden. 
• For permanent residency in Sweden, you will have to prove that you can sustain yourself financially, including the requirement for housing.  
• You will also need to prove that you don’t have any criminal convictions and show that you have lived a decent life in the last 48 months in the country.  
• To apply for permanent residency, you will need to submit the application 30 days before your current work permit expires. 

How to Apply for a Permanent Residency in Sweden?  

To apply for a Permanent Residency (PR) in Sweden, you must first hold a valid work permit in Sweden and earn a monthly income of Rs 2.76 lakh INR.  

The step-by-step process for permanent residency in Sweden includes:  

• Check Eligibility: The first step to apply for a permanent residency permit is to check if you are eligible for it. You will have to confirm that you meet all the requirements, like work experience, work permit, mandatory duration of stay in the country and a monthly income of SEK 29,680 after tax, which is Rs 2.76 lakh INR.  
• Prepare the Documents: You will have to submit supporting documents for proof, such as a valid passport, a work permit of at least two consecutive years, an Employment contract and recent salary slips, bank statements and tax returns, a rental agreement, proof of no criminal record and if you are applying with dependents, proof of family ties will be required.  
• Apply Online: If you are eligible and your documents are ready, you will have to visit the official website of the Swedish Migration Agency and navigate to the section for the application of permanent residency in Sweden. You will then need to complete the application form by filling in the required details.  
• Upload Documents and Pay the Fees: Once you are done filling out the form, you will have to upload the supporting documents that have been asked for in the application. Pay the required fee through the Swedish Migration Agency’s website and complete the application.  
• Book an Appointment for Biometrics: After your application for a Permanent Residency (PR) permit is submitted, you will have to book an appointment at the local Swedish Migration Agency office to get your photo taken and give your fingerprints, as it will be required for your permanent residency permit card.   
• Wait for Approval: Since everything on your part is completed, you will now have to wait for approval. A case officer from the Swedish Migration Agency will review and verify your application and make a decision.  
• Obtain your Permanent Residency Permit: If your application for a permanent residency permit is accepted and approved, you will receive your permanent residency permit card.  

Cost Involved in Applying for Permanent Residency in Sweden  

There are different costs involved in applying for permanent residency in Sweden, starting from the application fee, which is SEK 1,500, around ₹14,000 INR for adults and SEK 750 for children under 18.  

The cost for a Permanent Residency (PR) permit in Sweden is comparatively less expensive compared to other countries. However, the cost for the entire process will vary depending on the time required and the paperwork process. You can also ask your Sweden employer, as a few of them cover the Permanent Residency (PR) application fees for employees and their families. They can also offer payment plans for the family members. 

Can Permanent Residency in Sweden be Revoked?  

Yes, permanent residency in Sweden can be revoked if you no longer live in Sweden or have been away from the country for a long period of time. The Swedish Migration Agency can also revoke your permanent residency if it finds out that you have intentionally given false and inaccurate information in your application or provided incomplete information about yourself that was important for the decision committee to approve and issue the permanent residency permit for you. 

Benefits of Permanent Residency in Sweden  

The permanent residency permit in Sweden has many benefits, which include:  

• Unlike a temporary permit, a permanent residency permit does not require any renewals. 
• With permanent residency, you can change your job without having to worry about being tied to one employer for years.  
• The permanent residency permit will allow you to use excellent public services such as education and healthcare.   
• Through the permanent residency permit in Sweden, you can enjoy similar rights as other EU countries and have free access to travel within the Schengen area.  
• The permanent residency permit gives you the path to apply for Swedish citizenship.   
• A permanent residency permit gives you and your family a smooth and stable immigration status to settle and live in Sweden.  

From Permanent Residency to Citizenship in Sweden  

If you are someone seeking to obtain citizenship in Sweden, getting a permanent residency permit is the first step. After holding a permanent residency permit for five years, you can apply for Swedish citizenship; however, if you are married to a Swedish citizen, it can be shorter than five years. There are a few requirements to qualify for citizenship, such as:  

• At the time of application, you must hold a permanent residency permit for a minimum of five years.  
• Having lived in Sweden continuously for a minimum of five years.  
• Show valid identity proof and provide correct documentation.  
• Provide proof of good conduct with no criminal record.  
• Having a Swedish citizenship will give you access to additional benefits and privileges such as a Swedish passport, voting rights and greater access to opportunities across the European Union.   

To Wrap Up 

Sweden is a thriving country, and the country’s largest Asian immigrant population is Indians. The Indian’s working in Sweden are also among the highly skilled and educated professionals, contributing significantly to various sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare and research.  

If you earn a monthly income of SEK 29,680 after tax deductions, which is ₹2.76 lakh in INR, you meet a strong financial threshold that can support your application for a permanent residency permit. This new rule implemented by Sweden aligns with the European Union’s new directive on legal migration and equal treatment of workers.  

If you are an Indian professional working with a valid work permit, earning a monthly income of SEK 29,680, living in Sweden continuously for a minimum of five years and have a clean, no criminal record, you can apply smoothly for a permanent residency permit and eventually be eligible for Swedish citizenship.  

This will not only help you secure your long-term stay in Sweden but also allow you to take advantage of all the greater opportunities within Sweden and across the EU.  

Why Choose Enterslice?  

Enterslice is the leading global business consulting firm that has over 10+ years of experience, helping over 20,000+ professionals globally. Our expert team can help you navigate through the new regulations and eligibility requirements for either a work permit or a permanent residency card in Sweden. Also, we can help you with company registration in Sweden. 

Contact us today to speak with our experts or visit our website to learn more: visit https://enterslice.com/.  

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