Dependent visa/permit and working in Sweden
In short, yes. They can work in Sweden without much restrictions. Dependent visa/permit holders have the best benefits of all the permits in Sweden. You can read more in depth in our other article about dependent permit holders (Non-EU).
However, dependent permit holders relies on the person with the work permit. If their work permit expires or gets revoked, then dependent permit holders must apply for a work permit for themselves. Otherwise, when the work permit holder gets permanent residence, normally so can the dependent permit holder.
However, if you have EU family members, you might still want to submit an application with your work permit application.
EU family members
- Are you living in an EU country and are you currently covered by their social security system?
- If yes, an application for your EU dependents may not be required.
- Are you and your EU dependents not living in an EU country?
- If your EU dependents are not living in an EU country (and if they have not been for a few years) it is likely that they are no longer covered by an EU country’s social security system.
Being covered by EU social security matters. It is so that if an EU citizen is covered, they will simply be able to register with the Swedish Tax Agency as a dependent in Sweden. They will be able to live here without any problems. If they are not covered by EU social security, they will not be able to register with the tax agency. Since proof of this coverage is required when registering.
This would mean that they need to submit an application to the Migration Agency and receive a residence permit in Sweden before being able to register. In order to avoid any hassle an option is to submit an application from the start as dependent applications that are submitted together. It will be faster processing times if the EU dependents are not living in an EU country and have fallen out of EU social security. In case of uncertainty regarding this it is always better to apply for a permit in order to reduce difficulties.