How Much Must Foreigners Earn to Bring Family to Sweden? Find Out

Foreigners living in Sweden who want to bring their spouse or children to the country will face a higher financial requirement from October 1, 2026.

The new Swedish family reunification rules will increase the amount applicants must have available to support themselves and their family members.

For a foreigner bringing a spouse or cohabiting partner, the new requirement is SEK 21,208 per month after tax and housing costs.

This means the person living in Sweden must have enough income to cover their own living expenses, accommodation and the costs of the family member seeking a residence permit.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed that the new rules will come into force on October 1, although some transitional arrangements will apply to existing residence permits.

How much must you earn?

The amount required will depend on the size of the family.

Swedish government figures show that a person bringing a spouse or cohabiting partner must have SEK 21,208 left after tax and housing costs.

For families with children, the requirement increases:

• Spouse or partner: SEK 21,208 after tax
• Spouse or partner and one child: SEK 28,088 after tax
• Spouse or partner and two children: SEK 35,743 after tax
• Spouse or partner and three children: SEK 43,398 after tax
• Spouse or partner and four children: SEK 51,053 after tax

The figures are not gross salary amounts. They represent the money that must remain after tax and housing costs.

For example, the Swedish government’s figures estimate that a person bringing a spouse or partner would need a gross income of about SEK 31,364 per month, depending on the assumptions used for housing and taxation.

The required gross income rises as more family members are included.

What is Sweden changing?

Sweden is introducing several changes to its rules for family-based immigration from October 1.

Under the new system, the maintenance requirement will also apply in some cases when a family member applies to extend an existing residence permit.

The Swedish Migration Agency said that, from October 1, a reference person in Sweden must be able to financially support themselves, members of their household and the relatives seeking residence permits.

The person must also have suitable accommodation for the family.

The requirement is therefore not simply about having a particular salary. Authorities also consider housing costs and the size of the household when determining whether the financial requirement has been met.

What counts as income?

The Swedish Migration Agency says income can include salary or wages from employment, income from a business, unemployment benefits, sickness benefits and income-based old-age pensions under the current maintenance rules.

A person may also meet the financial requirement through sufficient taxable assets that can support the household and family members for at least two years.

However, the new rules and their application can differ depending on the type of residence permit held by the person already living in Sweden.

The Migration Agency has published separate guidance for workers, students and people with long-term resident status in another EU country.

Two-year rule for some foreigners

Another major change concerns foreigners who have temporary residence permits.

From October 1, some people with temporary residence permits must have lived in Sweden for two years before their family can receive residence permits to join them.

The Swedish Migration Agency says exceptions will apply to certain groups, including some refugees whose family relationship existed before they arrived in Sweden.

People with temporary permits will also, in certain circumstances, need to have well-founded prospects of obtaining the right to permanent residence before they can act as the reference person for family members.

Existing families may have transitional protection

The higher maintenance requirement will not immediately apply to every existing family case.

According to the Swedish Migration Agency, people whose current residence permits were granted before October 1, 2026 may benefit from transitional arrangements if the family member applies for an extension by October 1, 2027.

For those cases, the current amounts can continue to apply during the transition period.

From October 2, 2027, the higher requirement will apply to all applications covered by the new rules.

What foreigners planning to bring family should know

The key point for foreigners in Sweden is that meeting the financial requirement involves more than simply showing a payslip.

The person in Sweden must demonstrate that their income is sufficient after tax and housing costs and that they have suitable accommodation for the household.

The amount also changes according to the number of relatives being brought to Sweden.

For someone bringing only a spouse or partner, the new benchmark is SEK 21,208 left after tax and housing costs. Adding children raises the required amount significantly.

Foreigners planning to apply should therefore check the rules that apply specifically to their residence status before submitting a family reunification application.

The Swedish Migration Agency’s official guidance provides the latest information on the maintenance requirement and the different categories covered by the new rules.

FAQs

How much must a foreigner have to bring a spouse to Sweden?
From October 1, 2026, the new requirement for a spouse or cohabiting partner is SEK 21,208 per month after tax and housing costs.

Does SEK 21,208 mean the gross monthly salary?
No. It is the amount that must remain after tax and housing costs. The Swedish government’s example gives a gross monthly income of about SEK 31,364 for a spouse or partner.

Does the amount increase when children are included?
Yes. The required amount rises according to the number of children joining the family.

When do the new Swedish family reunification rules start?
The new rules take effect on October 1, 2026.

Will the new rules apply to existing residence permits?
Not immediately in every case. Transitional arrangements apply to some existing permits and extension applications.