When will the new regulations come into effect?
The government has proposed that the new regulations come into effect on 1 June 2026. As the Sweden Democrats have endorsed the government's proposal, there is a majority in favour of the proposal in the Swedish Parliament, which means that it is highly likely that the regulations will come into effect on that date. However, the new rules concerning maintenance will come into force on 1 December 2026.
What changes will there be?
So what are the new rules? Here is everything you need to know.
It may soon become twice as expensive to employ workers who do not have the right to reside or work in Sweden. The penalty fee will be doubled from 1 to 2 price base amounts, and if the employment has lasted for more than 3 months, it will be increased from 2 to 4 price base amounts. The price base amount for 2026 is SEK 59,200. This means that if you have employed someone without a work permit for more than 3 months, you risk having to pay SEK 236,800.
If you, as an employer, have checked that the employee has the right to work in Sweden and notified the relevant authorities, you will be exempt from the penalty fee.
At DISA, we can help you carry out background checks. A background check can include both an identity check and a work permit check. Would you like to know more about how we can help you?
The proposal gives the Migration Agency the task of making it easier to check a person's right to reside and work in Sweden.
Previously, the salary requirement was 80 percent of the median salary, but now the requirement has been increased to 90 percent of the median salary. For you as an employer, this means that you need to pay a salary of at least SEK 33,390 per month when you hire foreign workers. However, the government may make exceptions to the salary requirement for certain groups of professions.
The permit period for seasonal work is extended from six to nine months.
In order to obtain a work permit for a period of less than one year, the employee will be required to have comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Sweden. Workers who are in Sweden for longer than one year are considered residents of Sweden and are covered by the general provisions for health and medical care.
Two new offences introduced
The proposal includes two new offences to make it harder for dishonest employers to operate. For you as a reputable employer, this is positive news as it contributes to healthier competition. The offences can result in imprisonment for up to two years, or four years if the offence is serious. The new offences are:
- Exploitation of foreign labour
The penal provision applies to employers who exploit employees under manifestly unreasonable working conditions.
- Trade with work permits
The acts that are criminalised are when an employer charges an employee for hiring them or assisting them with a work permit.
Background checks are becoming increasingly important
The new changes to the law mean that the penalty fee for companies will double, and for untrustworthy business owners who do not follow the rules, the bill could be very expensive.
The message from the government is clear. As an employer, you are now required to know who you are hiring. If you carry out the right background checks when hiring, you will have no questions about your employees and will not need to worry about any penalties.
At DISA, we carry out background checks on both the applicant's identity and their right to work in the country. By using our background checks during recruitment, you can ensure that you do not expose your business to unnecessary risks.