Kingdom of Sweden · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 12 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
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.
- Processing time
- Current Migrationsverket statistics: 75% of complete initial applications within 8 months and incomplete applications within 13 months. These are recent-case statistics, not guarantees.
- Government fees
- SEK 2,000; SEK 1,500 for adult accompanying family members and SEK 750 for children.
- Typical duration
- Up to 2 years initially, limited by passport validity; at the extension stage, permanent residence can be requested after at least 2 qualifying years.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 21 July 2026, the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) for Kingdom of Sweden has typical processing of 8 months – 13 months (Initial self-employed applications; complete/incomplete 75% bands.). Sources: official Kingdom of Sweden government pages, reviewed 21 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/sweden/self-employment-sweden#answer
What is the Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) in Kingdom of Sweden?
Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) is an unsponsored Sweden route. Indicative government fees are SEK 2,000; SEK 1,500 for adult accompanying family members and SEK 750 for children; indicative processing time is Current Migrationsverket statistics: 75% of complete initial applications within 8 months and incomplete applications within 13 months. These are recent-case statistics, not guarantees; typical duration is Up to 2 years initially, limited by passport validity; at the extension stage, permanent residence can be requested after at least 2 qualifying years. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Migrationsverket on 21 July 2026.
Overview
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.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
American applicants
American entrepreneurs in Sweden concentrate in tech, design, and consulting. Stockholm’s startup ecosystem is one of Eu…
Chinese applicants
Chinese self-employed in Sweden operate in trade, food services, and e-commerce. Demonstrating business viability is key…
Indian applicants
Indian consultants and IT contractors use the self-employment permit to operate through a personal aktiebolag (AB). Fina…
Iranian applicants
Iranian e-passports are eligible for Migrationsverket’s digital passport check when the Agency sends a personal invitati…
Additional sources
Primary source
Migrationsverket — Extend a self-employed permit ↗ · Migrationsverket
Link last verified:
Primary source
Migrationsverket — Good-conduct requirements from 13 July 2026 ↗ · Migrationsverket
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Valid passport plus good experience in both the industry and running a business.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓Relevant Swedish or English knowledge; very good Swedish can be required where many suppliers or customers are Swedish.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓You personally run the business, have crucial responsibility for it, and can prove ownership of at least 51%.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓A credible basis for the budget and established customer contacts or networks.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓Transferable support funds for 2 years: SEK 200,000 in your own bank account, plus SEK 100,000 for an accompanying spouse and SEK 50,000 for each accompanying child.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓Separate own funds sufficient to run or buy the business; loans are not normally accepted.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓A Swedish certificate of incorporation and the applicable partnership agreement or share register.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ✓A first application is normally submitted from outside Sweden; only the listed permit-holder exceptions can apply from inside Sweden.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
Common blockers
- !The personal-maintenance amount is not held in the applicant’s own account, is not transferable to Sweden, or is mixed up with the separate business-capital requirement.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- !The business budget lacks a credible basis or the file lacks established customer contacts or networks.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- !Insufficient proof of industry/business experience, language ability, at least 51% ownership, or decisive operational responsibility.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- !A first application is filed from inside Sweden without falling within an official exception.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport copies, a credible business plan/budget, and Swedish certificate of incorporation.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ·Personal bank statements for the last 3 months and bank certificates/statements proving the 2-year support amount and separate business funds.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ·Partnership agreement or share register, purchase contract/payment evidence if buying a business, and current balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ·Contracts with customers, suppliers, and business premises.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
- ·Language certificates, diplomas, prior employer certificates, and recent annual accounts/reports for existing businesses.Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) ↗
Application pathway
Build an evidence-backed business case
Prepare the budget, customer/network evidence, contracts, ownership/control structure, and proof of relevant experience and language ability.
Establish the Swedish business and secure funds
Obtain the incorporation/ownership documents and keep the 2-year personal-maintenance amount in your own transferable account, separate from enough own funds to run or buy the business.
Apply from outside Sweden
Submit the e-service application unless an official in-country exception applies; upload clear documents in Swedish or English (with certified translations and the originals where needed) and pay the fee.
Complete passport, interview, and card steps
Follow the Agency’s digital or in-person passport-check instructions and any interview, biometrics, or residence-permit-card request.
Run the business to the filed plan
Maintain control, accounts, licences, taxes, contracts, profitability, and records showing the business supports you and your family.
Extend or request permanent residence after 2 years
Apply before expiry. For permanent residence, prove at least 2 qualifying years running the business, stable finances and sustainable taxed business income, plus good conduct.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantApply as a self-employed person ↗
Use the official self-employment checklist and e-service for a residence permit to run a Swedish business.
Swedish Migration Agency · verified
- ChecklistApplicantCheck extension and permanent-residence evidence ↗
Review the accounts, tax, profitability, self-support, and conduct evidence needed after 2 years.
Swedish Migration Agency · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: SEK 2,000; SEK 1,500 for adult accompanying family members and SEK 750 for children.. A decision then typically takes 8 months – 13 months (Initial self-employed applications; complete/incomplete 75% bands.). Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I be a freelancer on a self-employment permit?+
Only if the arrangement meets the full business test: you run the Swedish business, have crucial responsibility, own at least 51%, have a credible budget and customer contacts/networks, and meet the experience, language, and funding requirements. A client contract alone is not enough.
How much capital do I need?+
For personal support, Migrationsverket requires at least SEK 200,000 for you, plus SEK 100,000 for an accompanying spouse and SEK 50,000 for each accompanying child. Separately, you must have enough own funds to run or buy the business; loans are normally not accepted.
Can this permit lead to permanent residence?+
Yes. When extending after at least 2 years, you may request permanent residence if you have met the permit conditions and run the business in Sweden for at least 2 years. You must show sustainable self-support from taxed business income, realistic plans and stable finances, and good conduct.
Can I make my first application from inside Sweden?+
Normally no: a first application must be made from outside Sweden. Migrationsverket lists limited exceptions for certain people already holding qualifying work, higher-education, researcher, traineeship, post-study/job-search, or temporary-protection permits; apply before the current permit expires.
Does the Swedish self-employment permit lead to permanent residence?+
Yes. The self-employment permit is initially issued for 2 years and is renewable, and after 4 years holders can apply for permanent residence (PUT). Confirm the current requirements on Migrationsverket.
How long does a Swedish self-employment permit take to process?+
Migrationsverket's recent-case statistics show about 11 months for complete self-employment applications and about 14 months for incomplete applications. Check Migrationsverket for the latest processing-time figures before applying.
What happens at my self-employment permit renewal if my business is slow to ramp up?+
At the 2-year renewal, Migrationsverket assesses whether the business is actually supporting you, reviewing your tax returns and financial statements. Because the permit is granted on the basis that the business can support you and your family, demonstrating viability at renewal is essential. Confirm the criteria on Migrationsverket.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in SwedenHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Migrationsverket
Last checked: 21 July 2026