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Moving to Sweden from UK

Moving to Sweden from UK

EU citizens who want to move to Sweden do not need to go through lengthy procedures, as they can establish themselves in the country and register with the local authorities. This not the case of UK citizens immigrating to Sweden in the context of Brexit.

As the UK has already left the EU, relocating to Sweden from this country will now imply completing additional steps in the immigration procedure.

Below, we present the process related to moving to Sweden from the UK. We kindly invite you to discuss with our immigration lawyer in Sweden about your relocation here as a UK citizen. We can also assist them in applying for Swedish citizenship.

Immigrate to Sweden from UK under the Withdrawal Agreement

Leaving the European Union implies a transition period which for UK citizens looking to moving to other EU countries means relocating to those states based on the Withdrawal Agreement. This means that until December 2020 UK citizens already established in EU countries can continue living there under the present conditions without the need to apply for any visa. UK citizens with Swedish residency will benefit from the same rights they had before Brexit. Before 2020 ends, new regulations are expected.

 Quick Facts  
  Visa requirements for UK nationals NO, for stays of maximum 6 months

 

Special conditions applicable (YES/NO)

Residence permits must be obtained by those who immigrate to Sweden from UK for more than 6 months

Relocation options

 Business, employment, and family reunification can be used to move to Sweden from UK
Temporary residence options 

Student, business, temporary work permits and family reunion visas can be used to temporarily relocate to Sweden from UK

Permanent residence requirements Living in Sweden without leaving to country for too long, contributing to the social security system, paying taxes in Sweden
Access to investor/citizenship by investment visa

YES, it is possible to immigrate to Sweden from UK under an investment visa

Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.)

It takes approx. 4 weeks to be issued a residence permit

Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO)  YES, UK citizens can obtain family reunion visas
for Sweden
Investment visa requirements The minimum investment is  set at USD 100,000 
Permanent residence timeframe Living in Sweden for 5 years
Citizenship requirements  Living in Sweden for 10 years
Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO) YES, people who move to Sweden from UK
can buy properties
Sweden-UK double tax treaty (YES/NO) YES
Immigration services (YES/NO) YES, our immigration lawyers in Sweden can help British citizens move here under various types of residence permits
Post-immigration support (YES/NO)  YES, we can offer support in registration with the local authorities, renewal of residency documents, applying for citizenship
 Residence permit types Various types available for different purposes such as work, study, family reunification, marriage, investment, or entrepreneurship. 

Time to obtain temporary residence permit card (approx.) 

Typically, 4 weeks, depending on individual circumstances and workload at the migration office. 

Temporary residence permit validity 

A residence permit in Sweden is initially valid for three years and can be extended for up to a maximum of five years. 

Documents for obtaining temporary residence 

– passport;

– proof of income;

– health insurance;

– housing contract;

– and purpose of stay justification, etc.  

Stamp duty fee 

No stamp duty applicable for residence permit applications. 

Temporary residence permit fee 

The fee depends on the type of permit:

– for a work permit, it’s €200;

– and for a study permit, it’s €150. 

Dependents joining temporary permit holder 

Yes, dependents can join under family reunification regulations. 

Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence 

Typically, 5 years of continuous residence under a temporary permit. 

Sponsorship requirement 

May be needed for specific visa types, like; family reunification.  

Naturalization requirements 

– typically requires 5 years of legal residency;

– must be of legal age (18 years);

– knowledge of Swedish language;

– and passing citizenship test. 

Relocation steps 

– apply for residence permit;

– find accommodation;

– register with tax authorities;

– and integrate into society. 

Special conditions for short-term residency 

Compliance with Swedish laws, regulations, and social norms is essential. 

Easiest ways to move to Sweden from UK 

– through job opportunities;

– education programs;

– family ties;

– or entrepreneurship avenues. 

Special requirements for work contract 

Job offers from a Swedish employer may be necessary for work-related permits before immigrating to Sweden from UK.  

Special requirements for relocating to Sweden from UK as a dependent  May require sponsorship or family reunification visa, depending on circumstances, no criminal record.  

If you have relocated or plan on moving to Sweden from UK and you are seeking to obtain residency here, our immigration lawyer can help you. Applying online is one of the simplest and quickest ways to get a residence permit in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Agency receives the internet applications immediately. However, if you are a first-time immigrant in Sweden, you can rely on our local lawyers who will help you file your paperwork.

Visa requirements for UK citizens moving to Sweden

UK citizens interested in immigration to Sweden do not need a visa to enter the country as the UK is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), therefore they have the right to live, study and work here for a maximum period of 6 months before being required to apply for a residence permit. The only requirement is for them to prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves and other relatives if they have moved with the family.

If you want to immigrate to Sweden from the UK for more than one year, there are a few steps to complete. These are:

  1. register with the Population Register – the local office in the city the person lives;
  2. apply for a person number which means registration for taxation and social security;
  3. rent a property to live in which will be used as a residential address in Sweden;
  4. open a bank account and exchange the driver’s license (where applicable).

With respect to obtaining the person number which is, in fact, a residence permit resembling an ID, a UK citizen must:

  • be self-employed;
  • be a student and have adequate health insurance;
  • have sufficient funds to support themselves and other family members.

If you want to immigrate to Sweden, no matter your country of origin, our lawyers are at your disposal with tailored advice. This also applies to UK citizens moving to Sweden.

You can rely on us for guidance in moving to Sweden from UK or even obtaining a Swedish golden visa.

Here is also an infographic on this subject:

Relocating to Sweden from the United Kingdom through employment

There are a few conditions for non-EU nationals, including British citizens after Brexit, who want to apply for work permits in Sweden. They must have received an offer to work for one of these local businesses.

In order for a British to be awarded the work permit, the Swedish employer must advertise the position to be filled for at least 10 days in the EU and/or EEA. Also, the employment contract must adhere to Sweden’s Labor Code or other regulations established by the sector.

Another requirement is for the applicant to receive a minimum wage of 13,000 Swedish krona per month (gross income).

When requesting a work visa for Sweden, the following paperwork must be submitted:

  • a copy of the employment contract;
  • a valid passport;
  • a declaration from the union the employee intends to join.

The good news is that a Swedish residence permit will also be provided along with the work visa. More information on this subject is available with our immigration lawyers in Sweden.

Another option for persons moving to Sweden from the UK is the digital nomad visa. In Sweden, a digital nomad can work for a corporation or employer one’s country. It is also possible run a business with operations outside of Sweden, or work for oneself as a freelancer in another nation.

However, this is an option for those who want to live here temporarily.

British citizens are well received in Sweden, and you can rely on our immigration advisors for more information on relocation options.

Entrepreneurship in Sweden for British citizens

Another way to immigrate to Sweden from the United Kingdom is entrepreneurship. One can either register a business the usual way or enter the residency by investment program that comes with specific requirements.

Through the investor visa, British citizens can obtain residency, followed by citizenship. Investors can relocate to Sweden and open their own businesses with this kind of residence permit. The main requirement in this sense is a minimum investment is 100,000 euros (or its equivalent in Swedish krona). Additionally required are company management skills and at least a basic command of English, which is not a problem for citizens of the United Kingdom.

Our immigration law firm in Sweden is at the service of entrepreneurs who want to relocate here from the United Kingdom.

Immigrating to Sweden from the UK based on family reunion

Family members already established in Sweden must apply for residence cards at the Migration Agency on behalf of their relatives if the latter plan to stay in Sweden for more than 3 months.

The residency card enables them to live and work in Sweden as long as they have the legal right to do so through employment, education, self-employment, pension income, or other means that enable financial support.

Family members can apply for residence cards by supplying for the following documents with the Migration Agency:

  • their valid passports;
  • proof of kinship;
  • proof of financial support from the family member already residing in Sweden.

Here are the family members that can join a British citizen in Sweden:

  • the spouse (cohabiting partner, spouse or registered partner);
  • the spouse’s parents;
  • children under age of 21 and children over the age of 21.

It is important to note that each family member moving to Sweden from the United Kingdom must each submit their individual application. There are no application fees for obtaining residence permits through family reunification.

Feel free to address our immigration law firm in Sweden for information on how to obtain citizenship here.

Registration for Swedish healthcare as a UK citizen

One of the mandatory requirements for legally living in Sweden and obtaining permanent residence followed by citizenship for those who want is to have health insurance. For this, UK citizens can register with the Social Insurance Agency in Sweden.

The registration for healthcare is completed after obtaining the tax identification number and the residence permit.

It is possible for UK citizens working in Sweden to obtain health insurance once they are employed.

If are interested in moving to Sweden from UK, you don’t need to complete too many formalities at the moment, while after the transition period ends, the Swedish and UK government will reach an agreement with respect to the steps to complete by UK citizens moving here. For updated information, our immigration lawyer in Sweden is at your disposal. We are also at your service if you want to apply for a residence permit in Sweden.

Moving to Sweden from UK and obtaining citizenship

Sweden is a very appealing country to move to thanks to the high quality of life which is why many citizens who relocate here seek to obtain permanent residency and then citizenship. When immigrating to Sweden from UK the right to permanent residency can be acquired after 5 years, just like in the case of other EU citizens, followed by the application for citizenship. It is important to note that short-term residence permits do not lead to citizenship.

There are several situations when you can reduce the 5-year living period, such as when you have previously spent two years living abroad with a Swedish citizen. In such situation, all you need to do is stay in Sweden for a total of 3 years to qualify for citizenship. You can address our lawyers if you need to know how to obtain citizenship in Sweden.

If you have any questions related to moving here from UK, our immigration lawyer in Sweden can advise you. We can also help if you want to move to Sweden from the USA.

Below, you can watch a video on this subject:

Why move to Sweden?

No matter if you are a UK citizen or a national of another country, here are some interesting facts related to immigration to Sweden:

  • the capital city of the country, Stockholm, spans over 14 small islands;
  • 20% of Stockholm’s population is made of expatriates;
  • the average rent in Stockholm ranges between 600 and 1,000 euros;
  • British citizens and other EU citizens can live in Sweden for 6 months without applying for residence permits.

If you plan to immigrate to Sweden from UK and need assistance, please contact our specialized team of lawyers. They will also apply for Swedish citizenship.