The proposal is a direct result of an EU directive passed in April 2024. The change has been forced upon Migrationsverket, the Swedish Migration Agency
The current rule dictates that foreign workers who lose their jobs have three months to find new employment or face deportation. Under the new proposal, this deadline could be extended to six months in specific circumstances.
The suggested extension would primarily apply to individuals who have held a work permit in Sweden for at least two years. Additionally, these individuals would be required to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves for at least three months beyond the current three-month deadline.
The proposal is a direct result of an EU directive passed in April 2024, which seeks to standardise rules across member states. While seen as a welcome development by critics of the current, stricter three-month limit, the impact will not be immediate.
Sweden's proposal to extend the job-seeking period is a direct response to its legal obligation as an EU member to comply with and transpose this directive into its national legislation.
The anticipated implementation date for the new law is May 21, 2026.
This timeline means that non-EU workers recently affected by redundancies, such as those from Northvolt in Skellefteå or Volvo Cars, which recently announced significant job cuts in Sweden, will not be covered by the extended period. Their job-seeking period will remain subject to the current three-month rule.