Residence permit to move to a spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner in Sweden
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and want to move to a family member in Sweden, you will need a residence permit. You may be granted a residence permit if you are married, have entered into a partnership, or have been cohabiting with someone who now lives in Sweden.
The family member in Sweden must be a Swedish citizen, have a permanent residence permit, a right of permanent residence, a permanent residence card or have a temporary residence permit as a refugee or person in need of subsidiary protection, on the grounds of impediments to enforcement or exceptionally distressing circumstances.
Both you and your family member must be 21 years or older in order for you to be able to obtain a residence permit in Sweden. Exceptions can only be made if there are particular reasons, for example if you have children together.
Spouses, registered partners or cohabiting partners
You may be granted a residence permit if you are married, have entered into a registered partnership, or have been cohabiting with someone who now lives in Sweden.
Cohabiting partners are two persons who are not married but live together and have a “marriage-like” relationship with each other. It is not enough for you to have been living together when visiting as tourists, for example.
If you are married or a registered partner, your close relative should register your marriage or partnership with the Swedish Tax Agency.
If your partner has a residence permit in Sweden in order to work or study you should apply for a residence permit as a family member to her or him.
Read more about how to apply as a family member to a person with a work permit in Sweden
If you are an EU citizen and want to move to a family member who is also an EU citizen, you may have right of residence. Then you do not need a residence permit.
Read more about right of residence for EU citizens' family members who are EU citizens
Maintenance requirement
The person you are to live with in Sweden must, in most cases, be able to support you both. He or she must also have suitable accommodation in terms of size and standard, where you can live together when you move to Sweden.
Certain people may be exempted from the maintenance requirement.
Read more about the requirement for maintenance and housing, and who is exempted
You must be able to prove your identity
In order to obtain a residence permit to move to someone in Sweden, you must be able to prove your identity. You usually do this with a valid passport. If you cannot prove your identity with a valid passport, you may, in certain cases, obtain a residence permit by proving a biological relationship with the person in Sweden. This applies to families with children who have lived together outside of Sweden.