World Immigration News

New proposal on increased maintenance requirement for family immigration

Release Date: 2025-12-16
Media: KPMG
Summary: On December 12, the Ministry of Justice presented a proposal to tighten the maintenance requirements for family reunification residence permits. The proposal raises the current income threshold and restricts which types of income may be counted.

Under the new rules, the maintenance requirement would be set at 30% above the protected amount for wage garnishment, plus actual housing costs. Based on 2026 figures, this would mean approximately SEK 13,400 plus housing costs for cohabiting partners, and about SEK 24,000 plus housing costs for a household with two adults and two children, with the exact amount depending on the children’s ages.

The proposal also limits eligible income to salaries from employment, income from self-employment, or sufficient assets that can support the sponsor and family member over a sustained period. Income from subsidized employment, unemployment benefits, and activity support would no longer qualify, while short-term work-related benefits such as sickness or parental benefits during ongoing employment would still be counted.

In addition, the government plans to assess the maintenance requirement not only for initial family reunification applications but also for extensions of residence permits based on family ties, in which case the household’s combined income may be considered. The proposal is scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2027.
Tags: Sweden

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