Kingdom of Sweden · Processing time
Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
For initial self-employed permits, the Swedish Migration Agency reports that 75% of complete applications are decided within 8 months and incomplete applications within 13 months.
How long does the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) take to process in Sweden?
The typical published decision window is 8 months – 13 months from a complete application. For initial self-employed permits, the Swedish Migration Agency reports that 75% of complete applications are decided within 8 months and incomplete applications within 13 months.
Verified against Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people on 21 July 2026.
Typical wait
8 months – 13 months
from complete application
Government fees
SEK 2,000; SEK 1,500 for adult accompanying family members and SEK 750 for children.
Last checked
21 July 2026
Reality vs official timing
- Official clock
- Official window only
- Delay trigger
- After 13 months
- Source checked
- 21 July 2026
Use 8 months – 13 months as the published decision window; delays usually start after the upper end if the source has not issued a newer figure.
What is the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag)?
Residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals who will own and actively run a viable Swedish business. After at least 2 qualifying years, the holder can request permanent residence with the extension.
The self-employment permit is for non-EU/EEA applicants who will run a business in Sweden, have crucial responsibility for it, and own at least 51%. Applicants need relevant industry and business-management experience, relevant Swedish or English ability, established customer contacts or networks, a credible budget, enough transferable funds to support the family for 2 years, and separate own funds for the business. A first application is normally made from outside Sweden. After running the business and meeting the permit conditions for at least 2 years, the holder can request permanent residence with the extension; they must prove stable business finances, sustainable self-support, and good conduct.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residence.
- Typical permit length: Up to 2 years initially, limited by passport validity; at the extension stage, permanent residence can be requested after at least 2 qualifying years.
- Indicative government fees: SEK 2,000; SEK 1,500 for adult accompanying family members and SEK 750 for children.
How to read this estimate
The 8 months – 13 months window is the time Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people typically associates with the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/work/employee-or-self-employed/self-employed-people.html
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) processing time dataset", https://visaatlas.org/processing-times/sweden/self-employment-sweden. Last verified 21 July 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-times
Primary source (1)
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) take to process?+
The typical wait is 8 months – 13 months from submitting a complete application. For initial self-employed permits, the Swedish Migration Agency reports that 75% of complete applications are decided within 8 months and incomplete applications within 13 months. These figures come from Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people and were last verified on 2026-07-21. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 8 months – 13 months clock start?+
The clock starts when Swedish Migration Agency - Self-employed people receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Sweden routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (8 months – 13 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.