The Swedish Government introduces exemptions from the new salary requirement for labour immigration

On 22 May 2026, the Government decided on amendments to legislation supplementing the bill New rules for labour immigration. The amendments form part of a broader reform aimed at preventing abuse of the regulatory framework, strengthening oversight, and steering labour immigration more towards highly qualified skills.

As part of the reform, targeted exemptions from the new salary requirement are introduced. As of 1 June, a worker must, as a general rule, receive a salary corresponding to at least 90 percent of the median salary in Sweden in order to be granted a work permit. At present, this corresponds to a monthly salary of SEK 33,390.

At the same time, exemptions are introduced allowing certain categories of workers to be granted work permits even if their salary falls below this level. The reasoning is that, in some cases, the stricter salary requirement risks having negative consequences, particularly in sectors with traditionally lower wage levels where the need for international expertise remains significant.

A total of 27 identified shortage occupations are exempt from the new salary requirement. These include, among others, certain roles in healthcare and social care, technical professions, as well as positions in agriculture and the food industry.

In addition, the following groups are covered by exemptions:

• employees in startup companies within the tech and life sciences sectors
• individuals with degrees in certain licensed professions, such as pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and dentists
• newly graduated students and certain other categories of workers
• individuals with temporary protection under the Mass Influx Directive (Ukraine)

For these groups, a reduced salary requirement applies, corresponding to 75 percent of the median salary. At present, this corresponds to a monthly salary of SEK 27,825.

Alongside the introduction of exemptions, the regulatory framework is tightened in other areas. Two occupational categories, personal assistants and berry pickers, are proposed to be excluded from eligibility for work permits. This measure should be viewed in light of the Government’s ambition to counteract abuse in certain parts of the labour market.

To further strengthen oversight in the system, new administrative requirements are introduced. Employers will be obliged to notify the Swedish Migration Agency if an employee granted a work permit does not commence employment within four months from the permit’s initial validity date.

Furthermore, the Swedish Migration Agency is granted expanded access to information about employers in suspicion and criminal records, with the aim of improving oversight capabilities and identifying non-compliant actors.

KPMG assesses that the regulatory changes align with the Government’s ambition to tighten the framework for labour immigration and to prioritise highly qualified labour to a greater extent. At the same time, certain shortage occupations are still able to meet their need for skills through the targeted exemptions.

The introduction of a salary requirement corresponding to 90 percent of the median salary represents a clear tightening. The exemptions introduced, particularly for shortage occupations and selected groups within tech, life sciences, and licensed professions, create some flexibility, but also contribute to a more complex regulatory framework.

The expanded control measures and increased employer responsibilities clearly emphasise compliance. Employers should therefore review their recruitment strategies and ensure that internal processes are aligned with the new requirements.

Overall, the changes increase complexity, placing higher demands on careful assessments in each individual case.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the new regulatory framework.

The article in Swedish