Sweden, as we all know, offers a robust economy, innovative environment, and high quality of life, making it an ideal destination for freelancers seeking to thrive and grow.

This is why the self-employed visa becomes a primary goal for independent professionals from outside the EU/EEA aiming to introduce their skills to the Swedish market without looking for a standard job.

The thing is that most people don’t actually know where to start, which is why I made this article which hopefully will become your step-by-step guide to getting a self-employed visa in Sweden.

Let’s get started!

Who Can Get a Self Employed Visa (Freelancer Visa) in Sweden

This visa is specifically designed for non-EU/EEA individuals as they already have the right to live and work in Sweden without a visa.

What is there to win for you?

Well, Sweden wants talented people who can add to its economy with new skills while for freelancers, it’s a chance to grow their business in a new place and enjoy life in a country known for taking good care of its people.

In return, you’ll get a residence permit and the chance to work in Sweden while accessing all of the amazing benefits their residents enjoy (i.e. health insurance, stable economy, etc..)

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Where to apply?

You can apply for the visa online or at a Swedish embassy or consulate (if you can’t do it online), which is great because it means you can start the process from almost anywhere.

Requirements of a Self Employed Visa in Sweden

Alright, so you’re a non-EU citizen committed to skipping the job hunt stress—no CVs, cover letters, salary negotiations or interviews—and instead, you’re wanting to move to Sweden to as a freelance career or business venture.

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To do that, you’ll need a visa, and not a standard work visa or even a job seeker visa… you’ll need a self employed visa.

Well, to apply for a self-employed visa in Sweden, you must meet a list of requirements and provide a detailed set of documents to support your application.

Here’s a breakdown of the requirements:

• Language Proficiency: You must have documented knowledge in Swedish and/or English.
• Business Experience and Skills: This can be confirmed through copies of qualification certificates from your studies and copies of employer’s certificates from previous employers. These documents serve as evidence of your professional background and your ability to run a business effectively
• Business Ownership: You should own at least half of the business you’re planning to open in Sweden and have ultimate responsibility for it and, of course, your business must sell and/or produce its services or goods in Sweden.
• Financial Stability: You need enough funds to support yourself (and your family, if applicable) for the first two years. This equates to approximately SEK 200,000 for yourself, SEK 100,000 for your spouse, and SEK 50,000 for each child. And also you’ll need to probe that you have the funds to cover the costs of acquiring and maintaining a new business (if applicable)
• Customer Contacts/Network in Sweden: You must establish that you have customer contacts or a network in Sweden. You can certify your customer contacts or network in Sweden with contracts with customers and suppliers, as well as any relevant business correspondence or marketing plans showing engagement with the Swedish market
• Business Viability: Your business should be financially viable, with a plan showing that it will be able to support you and your family after a 2-year probationary period​​​​.
• Pay the fee: Which, at the time of writing is 2,000 SEK

In addition to meeting the necessary requirements, you’ll need to provide thorough documentation to assure Swedish officials that you meet the criteria for this visa.

This involves compiling the following documents:

• Passport copies showing personal data, photo, signature, etc.
• Bank statements proving financial stability for your family and the business
• Documents related to the business purchase or partnership agreements.
• Contracts with customers/suppliers and for premises.
• Financial statements for the business.
• Evidence of Swedish and/or English proficiency.
• Educational and professional experience certificates.
• Registration certificate for companies owned outside of Sweden (only for applicable cases)

How to Apply for a Self Employed Visa in Sweden

Here are all the steps you need to follow to successfully apply for a self employed visa in Sweden:

• Visit the Swedish Migration Agency’s official website at www.migrationsverket.se.

• Navigate to the “Working in Sweden” section, and select “Self-employment”.

• Click on the option to apply online for a residence permit as a self-employed person.

• Fill in your application. Here’s what information they will ask for: personal information, passport details, contact details, previous stays in Sweden, information about family and relatives, education and work background, information about business in Sweden, financing of the business and detailed budget for the first two years.

• Attach all required documents we mentioned previously

• Submit the application and follow any further instructions for passport verification or biometrics.

What to Do After Getting a Self Employed Visa in Sweden

After getting your self-employed visa for Sweden, you’ll get your photo and fingerprints taken in the Swedish embassy or consulate in your home country and you’ll later receive a residence permit card, showing you’re allowed to live and work in Sweden.

This residence card will allow you to get access to the many public services that Sweden offers, such as:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Excellent work conditions (i.e. solid parental allowance plan)
• Social security benefits
• Opportunity to get a citizenship if you stay in the country more than 5 years
• Possibility to bring your family to Sweden

Accommodation, Personnummer and Family Reunification

Let’s say you get approved for your self employed visa and you head to Sweden… what now?

Well, there are a couple things you must do.

The first thing to do, of course, is finding accommodation as it’s essential for establishing your life in Sweden.

My advice?

Well, to find accommodation in Sweden, I’d say you should:

• Try your luck in popular Swedish housing websites such as Blocket.se that offers a wide range of listings, BostadDirekt.com for short and long-term rentals, and “Svenska Bostäder” for various housing options across Sweden.
• Joining expat and local community groups on social media can also provide valuable insights and direct listings from landlords.
• Additionally, contacting relocation services or real estate agents in your intended area can streamline the search, especially for understanding local rental laws and securing a place that meets your needs and budget.

Once you get a place to live, the second thing to do is to apply for a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) at the Swedish Tax Agency.

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This is a crucial step as it allows the government to efficiently administer taxes and public services. For you, having a personnummer opens up the ability to access healthcare, open bank accounts, and sign up for phone contracts and insurance, effectively integrating you into Swedish society.

The last thing to do, if you haven’t already, is to start the process for family reunification, allowing your family (i.e. siblings, parents, etc) to join you. For this, I’d recommend you to visit Migrationsverket.se to get a better idea on how to start this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swedish required to get a self employed visa?

No, Swedish is not required to obtain a self-employed visa in Sweden. However, having documented and relevant knowledge in Swedish or English is necessary to prove your ability to conduct business in Sweden.

Can I bring my family to Sweden with a self employed visa?

Yes, with a self-employed visa, you can bring your family to Sweden. Your spouse and children under the age of 18 can apply for residence permits as your dependents.

How long does it take to process a self employed visa in Sweden?

The processing time for a self-employed visa in Sweden can vary, but it typically takes about 12 to 14 months. This duration can change based on the complexity of your application and the current workload of the Swedish Migration Agency.

How to check the status of your Swedish self employed visa application?

You can check the status of your Swedish self-employed visa application by logging into the Swedish Migration Agency’s website using your application number and personal details. Additionally, the agency may contact you directly with updates.