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.
Table of Contents
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 |
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.
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:
With respect to obtaining the person number which is, in fact, a residence permit resembling an ID, a UK citizen must:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
Here are the family members that can join a British citizen in Sweden:
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.
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.
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:
No matter if you are a UK citizen or a national of another country, here are some interesting facts related to immigration to Sweden:
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.
