From 12 July 2026, Sweden introduces new rules concerning people who have the status of long-term residents in Sweden (varaktigt bosatta i Sverige). The reform mainly affects the type of residence permit document issued to long-term residents and introduces a new exception regarding the permanent residence permit requirement for Swedish citizenship.

The purpose of the change is to align Swedish legislation with EU rules on long-term resident status and to create a clearer distinction between the long-term resident status and the type of residence permit granted.

1. What does “long-term resident” (varaktigt bosatt) mean?

A person who has been legally and continuously resident in Sweden for a certain period of time can apply for the status of:

“Varaktigt bosatt i Sverige” (long-term resident in Sweden).

Normally, the applicant must:

• Have lived legally in Sweden for at least five years.
• Have had a stable situation regarding income and housing.
• Meet the requirements according to the Swedish Aliens Act and EU rules.

The status is based on the EU Long-Term Residents Directive.

It is important to understand that:

Long-term resident status and permanent residence permit are not exactly the same thing.

A person can have the status of a long-term resident, but the residence permit attached to that status can change depending on the rules.

2. Difference between decisions before and after 12 July 2026

A. Applications granted before 12 July 2026

If a person was granted varaktigt bosatt status before 12 July 2026, the person receives:

• An EU residence card (EG/EU-uppehållstillståndskort).
• A document confirming permanent residence status (permanent uppehållstillstånd, PUT).

The person keeps their permanent residence permit.

This means:

• The PUT remains valid.
• The person does not need to renew the residence permit every five years.
• The previous rules continue to apply.

B. Applications granted from 12 July 2026 onwards

If a person is granted varaktigt bosatt status on or after 12 July 2026, the person will no longer receive a permanent residence permit.

Instead, the person receives:

• An EU residence card (EG/EU-uppehållstillståndskort).
• A residence permit card valid for five years.

After five years, the residence permit can be renewed if the person continues to meet the requirements.

Important:

This does not mean that the person loses their long-term resident status.

The change only concerns the residence permit type.

The person remains a recognized long-term resident under EU rules.

3. Important change regarding Swedish citizenship

Previously, one of the main requirements for Swedish citizenship was normally:

Having a permanent residence permit (PUT).

From 12 July 2026, an exception is introduced for people who have:

status as a long-term resident in Sweden (varaktigt bosatt).

A person with long-term resident status may be able to apply for Swedish citizenship without holding PUT if one of the following applies:

Condition 1: Well-founded prospects of continued long-term residence

The person must have a realistic and well-founded possibility of continuing to live permanently or long-term in Sweden.

This means that the authorities assess whether the person's circumstances indicate a stable future connection to Sweden.

Examples may include:

• Stable employment.
• Long-term residence history.
• Strong connection to Swedish society.
• Continued ability to support oneself.

Condition 2: At least 10 years of residence in Sweden

A person who has lived in Sweden for at least 10 years may also qualify for the exception.

The purpose is to avoid situations where people who have established a very long-term connection to Sweden are prevented from applying for citizenship only because they have a five-year residence card instead of PUT.

4. Other citizenship requirements still apply

The removal of the strict PUT requirement does not automatically mean citizenship is granted.

Applicants must still meet other citizenship requirements, including:

• Proving their identity.
• Having sufficient period of residence in Sweden.
• Having lived an orderly life (skötsamhet).
• Not having serious criminal offences or unpaid debts that prevent citizenship.
• Meeting future requirements introduced by Swedish citizenship legislation.

Each application is still individually assessed by Migrationsverket.

5. What happens to people who already have PUT?

People who already have a permanent residence permit (PUT) are not affected.

They keep their PUT.

The new rules only affect people who receive long-term resident status after 12 July 2026.

The Swedish government is not converting existing permanent residence permits into temporary permits.

6. Why is Sweden making this change?

The reform aims to:

Align Swedish rules with EU legislation

The EU framework separates:

• The status of being a long-term resident.
• The national residence permit document.

Sweden is adapting its system to follow this structure.

Create a more structured residence system

Instead of automatically linking long-term resident status with permanent residence, Sweden introduces a five-year residence permit model.

Maintain protection for long-term residents

Although the residence card becomes time-limited, long-term residents continue to have a stronger legal position than ordinary temporary residents.