Work Permit | IT | Healthcare | Construction | Stockholm | Gothenburg | SEK 25,000–65,000+/month | Permanent Residence Pathway
Sweden is one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for skilled and semi-skilled workers. With reliable labor protections, a high standard of living, and globally recognized employers like Volvo, Ericsson, Spotify, IKEA, and Scania, the Sweden Skilled Worker Visa is a practical pathway for non-EU professionals seeking legal work, long-term stability, and a route to permanent residence. Salaries range from SEK 25,000 to SEK 65,000+/month (€2,200–€5,700+) depending on role and experience. This guide covers eligibility, high-demand jobs, salary expectations, and step-by-step application instructions.
Why Work in Sweden?
- Strong worker protections: Legally enforceable conditions, paid holidays (25+ days), parental leave, sick pay
- Transparent wages: Collective agreements set clear wage floors and overtime rules
- English-friendly: Widely used in tech, engineering, and multinationals; learn Swedish while working
- Global employers: Volvo, Ericsson, Spotify, IKEA, H&M, Scania, plus vibrant startup scene
- Path to PR: Permanent residence after 4 years of qualifying work
- Family reunification: Spouse/partner can work immediately; children included
Salary Expectations by Sector (2026)
Monthly gross salaries in SEK. Exchange rate approximately €1 = SEK 11.5. Shift premiums, overtime, and collective agreement bonuses can add 10–30%.
| Role | Monthly (SEK) | Monthly (EUR) |
| Software Engineer (Junior) | SEK 35,000 – 45,000 | €3,000 – €3,900 |
| Software Engineer (Senior) | SEK 50,000 – 70,000 | €4,300 – €6,100 |
| Data Engineer / ML Specialist | SEK 45,000 – 65,000 | €3,900 – €5,700 |
| DevOps / Cloud Engineer | SEK 45,000 – 60,000 | €3,900 – €5,200 |
| Registered Nurse | SEK 32,000 – 42,000 | €2,800 – €3,700 |
| Assistant Nurse / Caregiver | SEK 25,000 – 32,000 | €2,200 – €2,800 |
| Electrician | SEK 30,000 – 40,000 | €2,600 – €3,500 |
| Plumber / HVAC Technician | SEK 28,000 – 38,000 | €2,400 – €3,300 |
| Construction Worker / Carpenter | SEK 26,000 – 36,000 | €2,300 – €3,100 |
| Warehouse Operative / Forklift | SEK 24,000 – 30,000 | €2,100 – €2,600 |
| Truck Driver | SEK 28,000 – 38,000 | €2,400 – €3,300 |
| Kitchen Staff / Line Cook | SEK 22,000 – 28,000 | €1,900 – €2,400 |
| Cleaner / Housekeeping | SEK 22,000 – 26,000 | €1,900 – €2,300 |
Salary factors: Region (Stockholm highest), collective agreement coverage, shift/weekend premiums, experience, and certifications all affect pay.
Who Can Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa?
- Non-EU/EEA citizens with a firm job offer from a Swedish employer
- Salary requirement: Must meet Swedish collective agreement standards (typically SEK 27,360+/month minimum)
- Vocational workers: Caregivers, construction trades, warehouse, transport, hospitality
- Professionals: IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, research
- Family applicants: Seeking family reunification with work rights and PR pathway
Visa Requirements
Core Requirements
- Signed employment offer/contract from Swedish-registered employer
- Salary and conditions meeting Swedish collective agreement standards
- Valid passport covering entire permit period
- Health insurance until registered in Swedish system (personnummer)
- Genuine, full-time (or near full-time) employment
Education & Experience
- Trade/vocational roles: 1–2 years hands-on experience or vocational training often sufficient
- Professional roles: Relevant degree or strong portfolio; proven experience often valued equally
- Regulated professions: Nurses require Swedish licensing/registration
Language
- English sufficient for many tech, engineering, and multinational roles
- Swedish required for healthcare, public services, customer-facing positions
- Free SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) classes available after arrival
High-Demand Jobs 2026
Healthcare & Care Services
Salary Range: SEK 25,000 – 42,000/month
- Assistant nurses, caregivers, personal support workers
- Registered nurses (Swedish licensing required)
- Elderly care staff in municipal and private care homes
- Note: Critical shortage—high sponsorship likelihood
Tech & Digital
Salary Range: SEK 35,000 – 70,000+/month
- Software engineers, data engineers, ML/AI specialists
- Cloud/DevOps, cybersecurity, platform reliability
- QA automation, product managers, UX designers
- Employers: Spotify, Klarna, Ericsson, King, iZettle, hundreds of startups
Construction & Skilled Trades
Salary Range: SEK 26,000 – 40,000/month
- Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians
- Carpenters, bricklayers, painters
- General laborers with apprenticeship pathways
- Site logistics coordinators and equipment operators
Logistics & Manufacturing
Salary Range: SEK 24,000 – 38,000/month
- Warehouse assistants, pick-pack, forklift operators
- Automotive and manufacturing technicians
- Last-mile delivery and regional truck drivers
- Employers: Volvo, Scania, PostNord, DHL, Amazon
Hospitality & Food Services
Salary Range: SEK 22,000 – 30,000/month
- Kitchen assistants, line cooks, dishwashers
- Hotel housekeeping and cleaning teams
- Catering support for events and conferences
Best-Paying Regions
Stockholm
Sectors: Tech, finance, project leadership, senior healthcare. Highest salaries but highest cost of living.
Gothenburg
Sectors: Ports, automotive (Volvo), logistics, engineering. Solid wages with more accessible housing than Stockholm.
Malmö / Skåne
Sectors: Logistics, construction, manufacturing. Lower living costs, easy Copenhagen commute via Øresund Bridge.
Uppsala, Linköping, Lund
Sectors: Research, med-tech, hospitals, university labs. Steady demand for healthcare and tech professionals.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Secure Job Offer
- Apply to Swedish employers via job portals, LinkedIn, company sites
- Confirm employer is ready to sponsor work permit
- Verify salary meets collective agreement standards
Step 2: Employer Initiates Application
- Employer starts permit application via Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) portal
- You receive link to complete your portion of application
- Upload documents and pay application fee
Step 3: Submit Your Application
- Upload: passport, contract, qualifications, references, translations
- Ensure job title matches across all documents
- Book biometrics or embassy appointment if required
Step 4: Decision & Entry
- Processing: Several weeks to 2–4 months depending on occupation
- On approval: receive residence permit decision
- Collect residence permit card and travel to Sweden
Step 5: Register & Start Work
- Register with Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) for personnummer
- Open bank account, set up Swish mobile payment
- Enroll in SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) classes
- Begin work and keep all payslips for renewals/PR application
Required Documents
- Valid passport (covering entire permit period)
- Employment contract with job title, duties, salary, hours, dates
- Proof of qualifications (diplomas, trade certificates, portfolio)
- Reference letters from previous employers
- Certified translations (English or Swedish) if required
- Recent passport photo
- Health insurance proof (until personnummer registered)
- Police clearance certificate (if requested)
- Marriage/birth certificates for family applications
Path to Permanent Residence
- Work permits: Generally granted for up to 2 years, renewable
- PR eligibility: After 4 years of qualifying work within last 7 years
- Requirements: Continuous employment, compliance with permit conditions, self-support
- Family included: Spouse/partner and children can apply for PR together
- Citizenship: Possible after 5 years of residence (no language test required)
Where to Find Jobs
- Arbetsförmedlingen: se—Swedish Public Employment Service
- EURES: europa.eu—EU job mobility portal
- LinkedIn Jobs: Filter for Sweden + ‘visa sponsorship’ or ‘work permit’
- se: Swedish job aggregator
- Company career pages: Volvo, Ericsson, Spotify, IKEA, Scania, H&M
- Recruiters: Adecco, Randstad, Manpower, niche tech/healthcare agencies
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Swedish to start?
Not always. Many tech and multinational teams operate in English. For healthcare and public-facing roles, Swedish is often required. Free SFI classes help you learn after arrival.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Spouses/partners receive work rights immediately. Children can attend school. Submit family applications alongside yours for streamlined processing.
How long until permanent residence?
After 4 years of qualifying employment within the last 7 years, subject to maintaining good standing and continuous work.
Can I change employers?
Yes. You can switch employers as long as the new job meets work permit conditions. Notify the Migration Agency appropriately.
What if my permit is denied?
You can usually appeal or reapply with corrected documentation. Address the specific issue (salary below threshold, title mismatch, missing translations) before resubmitting.
Start Your Sweden Career
Sweden offers exceptional opportunities—strong worker protections, transparent wages, global employers, and a clear path to permanent residence. Whether you’re targeting tech in Stockholm, automotive in Gothenburg, healthcare, or skilled trades, Swedish employers actively sponsor international workers to fill critical labor gaps.
Your Next Steps
- Choose target sector and region (tech/Stockholm, automotive/Gothenburg, etc.)
- Build Swedish-style CV (1–2 pages) with achievements and references
- Gather documents: passport, qualifications, references, translations
- Apply to 10–15 roles weekly via Arbetsförmedlingen, EURES, LinkedIn
- Confirm employer will sponsor and salary meets collective agreement
- Complete Migration Agency application promptly with clean documents
- On arrival: register personnummer, enroll in SFI, keep payslips for PR
Your Sweden career starts with the right preparation. Begin your application today.