SwedenLong-term residence
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
Accumulated residence leads to permanent right of residence; the permanent residence card is the proof of that right, which the person can apply for if they want it.
If you want proof of your permanent right of residence, you can apply for a permanent residence card.
At least five years living in Sweden together with the family member who is an EU/EEA citizen, provided that family member has had right of residence for the entire period. The official source does not state when the period begins.
As a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, once you have lived in Sweden for at least five years together with a family member who is an EU/EEA citizen – and provided that this family member has had right of residence for the entire period – you have permanent right of residence.
Residence counts where the EU/EEA family member met the requirements for right of residence during that time; cohabiting partners must have lived together for the entire period. If the relationship has ended, the applicant must show that they have retained their right of residence. The official source does not state whether any residence counts only partially or which other residence types are excluded.
If you are cohabiting partners, you must have lived together for the entire period.
Your family member must have met the requirements for right of residence during that time
If the relationship has ended, you must be able to show that you have retained your right of residence
The EU/EEA family member must have had right of residence for the entire five-year period, and cohabiting partners must have lived together for the entire period. The official source does not state how long absences may last without breaking continuity.
As a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, once you have lived in Sweden for at least five years together with a family member who is an EU/EEA citizen – and provided that this family member has had right of residence for the entire period – you have permanent right of residence.
Permanent right of residence arises after at least five years living in Sweden with an EU/EEA family member who had right of residence throughout (cohabiting partners must have lived together the whole period; if the relationship ended, retained right of residence must be shown). The permanent residence card is only proof of that right and is applied for free of charge. When the card's validity is about to expire, the holder books an appointment for photo and fingerprints for a new card.
As a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, once you have lived in Sweden for at least five years together with a family member who is an EU/EEA citizen – and provided that this family member has had right of residence for the entire period – you have permanent right of residence. If you want proof of your permanent right of residence, you can apply for a permanent residence card.
If you are cohabiting partners, you must have lived together for the entire period.
If the relationship has ended, you must be able to show that you have retained your right of residence
It costs nothing to apply for a permanent residence card.
If you already have a permanent residence card and its period of validity is about to expire, you must book an appointment with the Swedish Migration Agency to be photographed and fingerprinted for a new residence card.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
Explore more pathways in Sweden · All pathways
Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.