Swedish parliament set to vote on new work permit salary threshold

"Sweden's parliament is set to vote on Wednesday afternoon to impose a new minimum salary for work permits set at 90 percent of Sweden's median wage, with the new requirement in force from June 1st. The new threshold will increase the minimum salary for a permit from the current level of 29,680 kronor to 33,390 kronor when it comes into effect in June 2026, and will also empower the government to exempt work permits for certain jobs."

"The parliament is near certain to pass the measure, after the three government parties and their support party, the Sweden Democrats, reached an agreement which reduced the new minimum salary to 90 percent of the median wage, from the full median wage which had been proposed by a government inquiry."

"At a press conference earlier in March, the government said that it would exempt job titles in health and elderly care to make it easier for Sweden's regions and municipalities to recruit internationally."

"Sweden's Labour Minister Johan Britz, who represents the Liberal Party, in August last year called for the government to 'pull the handbrake' on the proposal, with the Liberals only agreeing to back it when the threshold was lowered to 90 percent of the median salary."

Sweden's parliament is set to vote on a new work permit policy that increases the minimum salary threshold from 29,680 kronor to 33,390 kronor, representing 90 percent of Sweden's median wage, taking effect June 2026. The government will have authority to exempt specific job categories. The measure is expected to pass with support from the three government parties and the Sweden Democrats, after they negotiated down from the original proposal of full median wage. The Liberal Party, initially skeptical, agreed to support the measure at the reduced threshold. Healthcare and elderly care positions will receive exemptions to assist regional and municipal recruitment efforts. The government took over 20 months to advance this proposal following industry opposition.

Read at www.thelocal.se