Sweden tightens family reunification rules — The Local Sweden

On October 1, 2026, a law tightening requirements for family immigration will enter into force in Sweden. As The Local Sweden reports, it concerns applicants for residence permits based on family ties and the people with whom they plan to reunite in the country.

Among the main changes is a two-year residence period in Sweden before family reunification for certain categories of residence permit holders. The financial maintenance requirement will also be raised by 30% and applied in more cases, including when permits are extended.

Income and housing

In more cases, the person in Sweden with whom the applicant is reuniting must prove that they can support themselves and their family and have housing of sufficient size. Income may include wages, income from business activities, and funds from assets if they are sufficient for long-term maintenance.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Unemployment benefits, payments under employment support programmes, and income from subsidised employment are not counted. Sickness benefits and parental benefits may be counted if they are temporary and the person has current employment. Exceptions are possible, in particular, for children born in Sweden, certain family members of Swedish citizens, refugees under special circumstances, elderly people, and people with permanent disabilities.

Exceptions to the two-year period

Swedish citizens, work permit holders, researchers, doctoral students, holders of EU Blue Cards and ICT permits, as well as unaccompanied minors and their parents, are exempt from the two-year requirement. Citizens of Nordic countries do not have a separate exemption unless they are Swedish citizens. Persons with EU long-term resident status are also exempt from the period, but third-country nationals with permanent residence permits are not.

The new rules also tighten requirements for proving biological kinship. According to Ann-Kari Olsson, head of a unit at the Swedish Migration Agency, DNA testing may be offered in more cases when other evidence of family ties is insufficient. In rules concerning children, custody will become the decisive criterion, while the requirement that a child be unmarried has been abolished.