Family member of a long-term resident of another EU country

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Sweden Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A partner (spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner) of the person in Sweden; an unmarried child under 21 of the person in Sweden or their partner; a child of the person in Sweden over 21 who depends on the parents for financial maintenance; and a parent of the person in Sweden or their partner who is financially dependent on them.

See recorded sources

https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
You are considered family if you are one of the following: a partner (spouse, cohabiting partner, or registered partner) of the person in Sweden a child of the person in Sweden or their partner, unmarried, and under the age of 21 a child of the person in Sweden, over 21 years of age, and dependent on your parents for your financial maintenance a parent of the person in Sweden or their partner and financially dependent on them.

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The family member in Sweden must have long-term resident status in another EU country, must have applied for or received a residence permit in Sweden, and must meet the conditions for that residence permit.

See recorded sources

https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
Your family member in Sweden must have long-term resident status in another EU country and have applied for or received a residence permit in Sweden.
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
Your family member in Sweden must meet the conditions for a residence permit

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Spouses provide a marriage certificate, marriage record or similar; cohabiting partners provide documents showing they have lived together (e.g. population registration certificates, a joint rental contract or proof of joint home purchase); children of any age and parents of adult children provide birth certificates or other documents showing they are related; people over 21 must also document that they depend on their parent or child in Sweden for financial support.

See recorded sources

https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
Documents showing your relationship with the family member in Sweden If you are married: marriage certificate, marriage record, or similar document. If you are cohabiting partners: documents showing that you have lived together, such as population registration certificates, a joint rental contract, or proof of the joint purchase of a home.
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
Documents showing that you are related Birth certificates or other documents showing that you are related. Applies to all children (over and under the age of 21), as well as to parents of adult children. Documents showing that people over 21 years old are dependent on their parent or child in Sweden for their financial support (maintenance)

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

Where the long-term resident in Sweden is studying, the application must include a certificate that they are covered by the social security system of their country of origin (or, if unobtainable, comprehensive private health insurance valid while in Sweden) and an assurance that they have sufficient funds during their studies. Where the long-term resident is retired or has sufficient funds, documents showing how they support themselves (such as pension or bank statements) and their housing costs must be attached.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The page does not state a maintenance amount or housing requirement for the applying family member, nor for sponsors who work or run a business.

https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
If the family member is studying in Sweden If they are studying in Sweden, you must attach
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
a certificate showing that they are covered by the social security system of their country of origin. The certificate must be issued by the national authorities in their country of origin and must state that they are covered by the social security system of another EU country. If the family member cannot obtain such a certificate, they must take out comprehensive private health insurance that is valid during the period they are in Sweden an assurance that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their period of study.
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
If the family member is retired or has sufficient funds to support themselves in Sweden If they are retired or have sufficient funds to support themselves in Sweden, you must attach documents showing how they support themselves, such as pension statements or bank statements documents showing their housing costs.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

The applicant fills in the application with the required documents and names an embassy or consulate-general to present the passport and, in some cases, be interviewed. The permit is granted for the same period as the family member in Sweden, can be extended, and after five years with a residence permit the family member can apply for long-term resident status in Sweden. The family member can start working or studying on arrival without waiting for the decision, except a financially dependent parent, who cannot work until granted their own permit.

See recorded sources

https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
You who want to move to Sweden, fill in the application and attach the necessary documents. In your application, you indicate which Swedish embassy or consulate-general you wish to visit to present your passport and, in some cases, be interviewed.
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
You can be granted a permit in Sweden for the same period that your family member in Sweden has a residence permit. Your residence permit can be extended. Once you have had a residence permit for five years, you can apply for long-term resident status in Sweden.
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country/family-of-long-term-residents-in-another-eu-country.html
As a family member of a long-term resident, you can start working or studying as soon as you arrive in Sweden. You do not need to wait until your family member receives a decision regarding their residence permit application. However, there is an exception to this rule: If you are the parent of the person in Sweden and are financially dependent on them, you cannot start working until you have received a residence permit yourself.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Family member of a long-term resident of another EU country

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.