FAQ for third country citizens living in Denmark
You must have a work permit that specifically allows you to work in Sweden when living in Denmark. You must apply for and receive a permit before you start working.
In order to apply for a work permit in Sweden, you must first have been offered an employment contract.
Please note that this information applies if you are a citizen in a country outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland.
(EEA, the European Economic Area, includes all EU countries plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway.)
Please note!
It is very important that you contact the Danish Immigration Service before you do an application for work permit in Sweden. A work permit in another country, can have an impact on your residence permit in Denmark.
Does my Danish residence- and work permit allow me to work in Sweden?
No. Third country citizens with a residence and work permit in an EU/EEA country do not benefit from the free movement of labour, as the permits only apply in the country in which they were issued. This means that a residence- and work permit issued in Denmark, does not give you the right to work in Sweden. You must have a work permit that specifically allows you to work in Sweden when living in Denmark.
Is it possible to get a work permit in Sweden?
If you live in Denmark and want to work in Sweden, being a citizen in a country outside of the EU/EEA and Switzerland, there are some ways in which you can obtain a work permit in Sweden.
It may be possible to get a work permit and work in Sweden if you comply with certain criteria.
Please note that every application is treated individually, and there is no guarantee that you can get a work permit in another country.
Read about the requirements for a work permit on Migrationsverkets website
There are some special rules for certain types of jobs, and also depending on where you are a citizen.
See the special rules for occupations and citizenships at Migrationsverkets website
Can I apply for a work permit, before I start looking for a job in Sweden?
You need to have a job offer to be able to apply for a work permit in Sweden.
Once you have a job offer, you can apply for a work permit in Sweden before you start working there. In order to apply for a work permit in Denmark or Sweden, you must first have been offered an employment contract, and live up to other requirements.
This means that you cannot apply for a job permit, before you have found a job that is available to you.
Do you want to start searching for a job in Sweden?
Read our guide on how to look for a job in Sweden
How do I apply for a work permit in Sweden?
As mentioned above, you should apply for and have been granted a work permit before you start working in Sweden.
You should apply online at Migrationsverkets website. When applying online you are given clear instructions on how to fill in your application and what documentation you should provide with the application.
You must have a signed employment contract available, to send with your application. There are also certain rules for the employer.
The employer initiates the application process, and you will receive an e-mail when it's time for you to fill in your part of the application.
Read more about the application process on Migrationsverkets website
Does it cost anything to apply for a work permit?
Yes, you need to pay a fee for applying for a work permit. Depending on your situation, and the type of permit you apply for, the cost varies, but is normally around 2.000 SEK. Make sure you read all the information about requirements and the process, so you don't waste the money.
Read about the different fees on Migrationsverkets website
What do I do once I receive a work permit in Sweden?
You should always contact the immigration authorities in your country of residence to find out how it might affect your residence permit if you obtain a work permit in another EU/EEA country and become a frontier worker.
In most cases, you receive a permit that lasts as long as your employment. You need to make sure you always have a valid passport during your work period.
A work permit can be granted for at most two years at a time.
If you want to continue working in Sweden after your permit is expired, you have to submit an application for extending your permit. You have to apply for an extension before your previous permit expires.
If you have any questions, contact the immigration services in Sweden or Denmark
Contact the Danish Immigation Service
