Family reunification

Written and maintained by the Flytta Sweden editorial team·Last reviewed 2 August 2026·4 min read

If you're joining a partner, spouse, or family member who already lives in Sweden, your path runs through Migrationsverket as a residence permit based on that relationship — often called family reunification or moving to someone in Sweden. The person you're joining (the 'anchor') and their status in Sweden shape what's required of you both.

This guide covers how the relationship is assessed, the requirements that most often surprise applicants, and what to expect once your permit comes through.

0 of 8 steps complete

Apply for a residence permit as a family member
Submit your application to Migrationsverket, linked to the person you're joining in Sweden.
Government fee applies — check the current amount on MigrationsverketVaries
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Apply online — Migrationsverket gives priority to applications submitted through its e-service over paper ones.
💡 Your sponsor in Sweden must meet housing-size and income (maintenance) requirements — confirm this before applying to avoid delays.
💡 Gather proof of your relationship (marriage, partnership, or cohabitation) early; missing documents are a common cause of delay.
Migrationsverket — Apply for a residence permit to live with someone in Sweden →Migrationsverket — Live with a partner →
Attend a biometrics appointment
Visit a Swedish embassy or consulate to have your photo and fingerprints registered.
Included in the application feeBook in advance — appointment availability varies
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Book your appointment as soon as you're instructed to — embassy and consulate slots can be booked out for weeks.
💡 Bring your passport and every document listed in your booking confirmation; an incomplete visit means rebooking.
💡 Mention any recent biometrics from another Schengen application — usable fingerprints from within the last 59 months may not need to be retaken.
Migrationsverket — Documents to bring to a booked visit →
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Wait for the permit decision
Processing time varies; track status via Migrationsverket's online service.
Varies — check current processing times on Migrationsverket
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Track your case status online using your case number.
💡 Processing times vary widely by relationship type and country — check the currently published times rather than assuming a fixed wait.
💡 Don't give up your current housing or job before the decision is final.
Migrationsverket — Apply for a residence permit to live with someone in Sweden →
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Travel to Sweden and find an address
Once approved, travel to Sweden and secure a place to live with your family member.
Varies — travel and housing costsN/A
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 You can only travel once your residence permit — and, if required, your permit card — is confirmed.
💡 Arrange interim housing if your permanent address isn't ready; you'll need a stable address to register.
💡 If children are involved, notify the relevant municipality or school district of the move as early as possible.
Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden →
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Apply for a personnummer (personal identity number)
Register in person at Skatteverket once you have arrived and have a valid permit or right of residence.
FreeBook an appointment in advance — availability varies
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Bring your passport and residence permit card (or right-of-residence proof) to the appointment.
💡 Book the earliest available appointment online — slots at popular offices fill up weeks in advance.
💡 Many services (bank, doctor, gym) are hard to use before the number arrives — apply as early as you legally can.
Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden →Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden (population registration) →
▶ Watch: Personal identification number
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Register with Skatteverket for civil registration
Complete civil registration (folkbokföring) to be entered into the Swedish population register.
FreeA few weeks to process
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Report your move within one week of arrival — it's a legal requirement, not just a formality.
💡 Your registered address determines your tax municipality, healthcare center, and where you can vote locally.
💡 Use BankID if you already have Swedish e-identification; otherwise you'll need an in-person visit to finish registering.
Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden →Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden (population registration) →
▶ Watch: Population registration
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Open a Swedish bank account
Most banks require a personnummer and photo ID to open an account.
Free to open — terms vary by bankSame day to a few weeks, depending on the bank
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 If a bank asks for proof you're registered, order a free personbevis (population certificate) from Skatteverket instead of guessing what they need.
💡 Bring your passport and personnummer — some banks also ask for proof of employment or address.
💡 Onboarding speed for newcomers varies a lot between banks — ask locally which one is currently fastest for foreigners.
Skatteverket — Population certificate for bank matters (personbevis) →Skatteverket — Moving to Sweden →
🔒 Complete the previous step first
Register with Försäkringskassan
Sign up for Swedish social insurance to access healthcare subsidies and benefits.
FreeVaries
Details, guides & tips
Tips
💡 Registering with Skatteverket doesn't automatically register you for every Försäkringskassan benefit — use their e-service to report your move.
💡 Check what you're entitled to based on your residence or work status — coverage isn't automatic just because you have a personnummer.
💡 Apply early if you'll need parental benefits, sick pay, or child allowance — processing takes time.
Försäkringskassan — English →Försäkringskassan — Move to Sweden →Försäkringskassan — Insured in Sweden →
🔒 Complete the previous step first

Costs and timelines are estimates, not guarantees — always check the official source for current figures.

How the process works

You apply for a residence permit to live with your family member in Sweden. Migrationsverket assesses the genuineness of the relationship, the anchor person's status (citizen, permanent resident, or permit holder), and — in many cases — whether the person in Sweden can financially support you and has suitable housing of an adequate size. This 'maintenance requirement' is central and catches many couples off guard.

For established marriages and registered partnerships the process is more straightforward; for newer relationships or partners intending to marry, expect closer scrutiny and sometimes an interview.

The maintenance requirement

In many family-reunification cases the person already in Sweden must show sufficient income and adequate housing to support the family. Exactly when it applies and how much is enough depends on the case and current rules, so this is the first thing to verify — it determines whether you can apply successfully right now or need to wait until the anchor's circumstances change.

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying before the person in Sweden meets the income and housing (maintenance) requirement.
Thin documentation of the relationship — gather evidence of your shared history early.
Assuming processing is quick; family cases often involve additional checks or interviews.
Overlooking that children may need separate documentation and consent from both parents.
Not keeping copies of everything submitted, which slows any follow-up requests.

After you arrive

Once granted, you register with Skatteverket for a personnummer, which lets you open a bank account, access healthcare, and — importantly for many joining family members — begin working or studying. From there the standard settling-in sequence applies.

Fees, salary thresholds, and processing times change and depend on your case — always confirm the current figures on the official agency pages linked in the steps above before you rely on them.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work in Sweden on a family reunification permit?

A residence permit granted to live with family in Sweden generally allows you to work. Confirm the specific conditions on your permit with Migrationsverket.

Does the person I'm joining need a certain income?

In many cases yes — a maintenance requirement means the person in Sweden must show sufficient income and adequate housing. Whether it applies depends on their status and the current rules.

How is the relationship assessed?

Migrationsverket looks at whether the relationship is genuine and established. Marriages and long-term partnerships are more straightforward; newer relationships may involve interviews and more evidence.

Sources

This guide explains the shape of the process. The official pages below are the authority on current requirements, fees, and processing times — check them before you act on anything here.