Sweden’s New Student Permit Rules From 11 June 2026

On 11 June 2026 Sweden changed the rules for residence permits for higher education studies. Two of the changes will decide whether students keep their permits, and most affected students will not discover them until they apply to extend, which is exactly when it is too late to act.

Who the new rules apply to

If you applied before 11 June but the Migration Agency decides on or after 11 June, the new rules apply to you. If your permit was granted before 11 June, the previous rules continue to apply until you apply for an extension.

Work is now capped at 15 hours a week

During semesters you may work a maximum of 15 hours per week. June, July and August are unrestricted. Exceptions apply for work connected to your education, research or artistic activity at the institution. Graduates who have completed at least two semesters may work without limitation.

This is the change with the most immediate financial consequence. Students who built a budget on more hours than that need to recalculate now rather than in term time.

Study progress is now a permit condition

• 37.5 credits in the first year of full-time study
• 45 credits per year from the second year onwards

Fall short and the extension is at risk. Credits missed in year one cannot be argued away at the extension application, so this needs monitoring during the year, not after it.

Address notification within 30 days

You must notify the Migration Agency of your address within 30 days of receiving your permit, and again whenever you move. It is a small requirement that is easy to miss and awkward to explain later.

Switching to a work permit

As a general rule you must have completed at least two semesters before applying for a work permit from inside Sweden. If the plan is to stay and work after graduating, that timeline needs to be built in early. See work permits.

What to do now

If you hold a student permit granted before 11 June, work out today which extension cycle you fall into and what credit total you will need by then. If you are applying now, assume the new rules apply to you. See our Swedish page on studenttillstånd, or contact us.

Source: Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), New rules for residence permits for studies in higher education, published 25 May 2026. Last reviewed 27 August 2026. General information, not individual legal advice.