Sweden’s government will again raise the minimum salary requirement for obtaining a work permit, strengthening its ongoing effort to regulate labour migration and raise skill levels in the workforce.
Beginning June 2026, the income threshold will climb to 90% of Sweden’s median monthly salary, which currently corresponds to SEK 33,390. Under the rule now in force, the bar sits at 80%, or SEK 29,680 per month.
While the governing coalition and the Sweden Democrats had earlier agreed to a full 100% median benchmark, the Migration Ministry decided on a 90% threshold, describing it as “a balanced level that safeguards Sweden’s competitiveness.” Migration Minister Johan Forssell told Radio Sweden that a few carve-outs may remain for sectors facing critical shortages, but that “the list will not be very long.”
Reactions from Employers and Unions
Employer organizations warn that the latest increase risks worsening acute recruitment difficulties, particularly for industries dependent on foreign specialists. Svenskt Näringsliv (the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise) highlighted IT, healthcare, and industrial engineering as key sectors already struggling to fill skilled posts. Many firms fear that international candidates may look to neighbouring Nordic countries with lower entry thresholds.
Trade unions, however, have largely supported the government’s plan. Unionen and LO argue the higher requirement will reduce low-wage hiring and exploitation, ensuring foreign workers receive pay closer to Swedish market standards. “This strengthens the credibility of Sweden’s labour migration model,” said one Unionen spokesperson.
Economic and Labour Market Implications
Economists expect a short-term tightening effect on labour supply, especially in hospitality, logistics, and agrifood, which rely heavily on non-EU workers. However, over time, the measure may push employers to raise productivity and automation levels, aligning with the government’s emphasis on high-value job creation rather than low-wage expansion.
The adjustment also illustrates Sweden’s effort to align migration policy with domestic wage norms amid a period of slow real wage growth and inflation pressures. The 2026 update coincides with broader reforms to streamline permanent residence routes for high-skilled foreign professionals.
Nordic Comparison
A Nordic overview places Sweden’s new policy among the region’s most restrictive approaches to salary-based work migration:
| Country | Work Permit Salary Threshold | Basis / Benchmark | Approx. Monthly Amount (SEK equivalent, 2025) | Notes |
| Sweden | 90% of national median (from June 2026) | Median salary | 33,390 | Government previously proposed 100%; limited exemptions expected |
| Denmark | DKK 375,000 annually (~SEK 45,000/month) | Fixed annual income (Pay Limit Scheme) | 45,000 | Higher but targeted to high-skilled sectors |
| Finland | Case-by-case assessment (≈ EUR 2,500–3,200/month) | Sector-specific wage level | 28,000–36,000 | Varies by occupation; IT and healthcare require higher pay |
| Norway | NOK 439,900 annually (~SEK 34,000/month) | Pre-tax annual wage | 34,000 | Applies to skilled worker permits |
| Iceland | Based on local collective agreements | Industry-specific | 26,000–32,000 | Must not undercut Icelandic wage standards |
Compared with these peers, Sweden’s new limit positions it slightly below Denmark and Norway in nominal terms but marks a clear shift from inclusionary to selective labour migration. The Scandinavian labour model continues to prioritise wage protection and domestic employment stability, with Sweden now aligning more closely with this regional trend after years of liberal entry rules.