Juridico
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Residence permit for self-employed people

If you want to run your own business in Sweden, you need a residence permit (uppehållstillstånd) as a self-employed person. We go through the requirements of the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) with you. Juridico is run by the accounting firm Ekonomico, so we can also help you with your business plan and budget.

A business owner at work in a bicycle repair workshop

Who it is for

For you if you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and want to start, buy or run a business in Sweden. You must run the business yourself and own at least 51 percent of it. We also help you if you already have a permit as a self-employed person and need to extend it or apply for a permanent residence permit (permanent uppehållstillstånd).

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, other rules apply. If you have a right of residence as an EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a permit to live here.

How we help you

The Migration Agency makes a business assessment of your plans, and your budget must be credible. Juridico is run by the accounting firm Ekonomico, so we can help you put together your business plan and budget. We calculate income, costs and investments and compare the figures with the bank statements and contracts you attach. If we see that your capital or your supporting documents are not enough, we tell you before the application is sent.

If you are applying for the first time, the main rule is that you must apply while you are outside Sweden. If you currently have a work permit (arbetstillstånd), for example, you can apply from here, as long as you do it before your permit runs out. The permit is valid for a maximum of two years and never longer than your passport, and your family can apply at the same time as you.

When you extend your permit, the Migration Agency checks that you are running the business as planned: that the taxes are paid, that the bookkeeping follows good accounting practice and that the business makes a profit and can support you and your family. Among other things, you attach the annual accounts or annual report and a statement from your tax account.

After at least two years as a self-employed person, you can apply for a permanent residence permit when you apply for an extension. You must then be able to support yourself on taxed income from the business and lead a law-abiding life, and since 13 July 2026 the Migration Agency has been assessing conduct more strictly. If you do not meet the requirements for a permanent permit, you can still get an extension. Read more about permanent residence permits.

The requirements when you apply for the first time

OwnershipYou run the business, have the main responsibility and can prove that you own at least 51 percent.
ExperienceGood experience of the industry and of running a business, relevant knowledge of Swedish or English, and customer contacts or a network.
SupportAt least 200 000 kronor in a bank account in your name, plus 100 000 kronor for an accompanying husband or wife and 50 000 kronor per child.
CapitalYour own money for costs, investments and any purchase of the business. Loans are not normally accepted.

What is included

6 items
  • A review of your plans against the Migration Agency's requirements
  • Help to put together your business plan and budget
  • A list of the documents you need to attach
  • Extension and application for a permanent permit
  • Replies when the Migration Agency asks for supplementary information (komplettering)
  • Acting as your representative (ombud) with the Migration Agency, if you give us a power of attorney (fullmakt)

What is not included

3 items
  • Bookkeeping, year-end accounts and annual reportThis is handled by Ekonomico, the accounting firm that runs Juridico, as a separate service. There you can also read about business plans and budgets.
  • Representative in the migration court (migrationsdomstolen)If you get a refusal (avslag), we help you with the appeal (överklagande). In each case we assess whether we can act as your representative or whether you need an advokat (a member of the Swedish Bar Association), and we tell you before you pay anything.
  • Asylum, protection cases, deportation and detention

What you need to have ready

6 items
  • A copy of a valid passport
  • Bank statements for the last three months
  • Your business idea and figures for the budget
  • Certificate of registration and share register or partnership agreement
  • Contracts with customers, suppliers and for premises
  • Certificates showing experience, education and language skills

Good to know

The Migration Agency makes the decision, and we cannot promise that you will get a permit. If your capital, experience or customer base is not enough, we tell you before you apply. We do not take asylum cases, protection cases, deportation or detention.

How it works

  1. 1Tell us about the business. You describe your plans in the form and say whether you already have a permit.
  2. 2You get a quote. We normally get back to you within one working day and tell you what is included and what it costs.
  3. 3We go through your plans and figures. You find out what is missing, and we put together the business plan and budget with you.
  4. 4The application is submitted. You send it in, or we do it as your representative with your power of attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply while I am in Sweden?
The first time, the main rule is that you must apply from abroad. If you have a work permit and meet its conditions, you can apply here, as long as you do it before the permit runs out. This also applies to some other permits, for example a permit to look for work after studying.
When can I get a permanent residence permit?
When you have had a permit as a self-employed person and run the business in Sweden for at least two years. You must be able to support yourself on taxed income from the business: for 2026, you must have at least 6 243 kronor left each month after paying for your housing.
How do I hand in the passport copy and bank statements?
You can handle meetings and advice online. You hand in copies of your passport and documents with your personal identity number (personnummer) at the office in Gothenburg or send them by post. Never send your original passport by post.
Do the documents have to be in Swedish?
They should be in Swedish or English. If you have had them translated, the translation should be by an authorised translator, and you include a copy in the original language.
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Send an enquiry

Tell us briefly about your matter and we will normally get back to you within one working day with a quote before we start.

  • The enquiry and quote are free
  • You only pay once you have accepted the quote
  • Meetings at the office or online

About: Self-employed

Private or business?

Do not write personal identity numbers, passport numbers or other sensitive details here. If we need such documents, you hand them in at the office or send copies by post.

Sources (6)

  1. Aliens Act (utlänningslagen, 2005:716), as amended up to SFS 2026:1752, Chapter 5, Section 10 a (temporary permit for business activities, ability and support, a maximum of two years at a time)
  2. Aliens Act (utlänningslagen, 2005:716), as amended up to SFS 2026:1752, Chapter 5, Section 5, second paragraph, point 1 (permanent permit after at least two years with a permit for business activities, if the business is established), Sections 7 and 8 (support and conduct) and Section 17 (conduct in the assessment)
  3. Aliens Act (utlänningslagen, 2005:716), as amended up to SFS 2026:1752, Chapter 5, Section 18, second paragraph, points 8 and 9 and third paragraph, and Section 18 a (application before entry and the exceptions)
  4. Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket): You want to apply, Self-employed (requirements, 51 percent, 200 000, 100 000 and 50 000 kronor, own money, documents and translation, applying from Sweden, a maximum of two years)
  5. Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket): You want to extend, Self-employed (requirements for extension, permanent residence permit after two years, 6 243 kronor per month for 2026, documents)
  6. Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket): New requirements on conduct (vandel) for residence permits, 2026-07-13

The information was checked against the sources on 29 October 2026.