Sweden moves to end permanent residency permits

The Swedish government was moving forward with a proposal to eliminate the possibility of granting permanent residence permits (PRPs) to asylum seekers.   
The new law is scheduled to take effect on 12 July 2026.
Under the proposed plan, asylum seekers will no longer be eligible for permanent residency, with temporary residence permits becoming the standard.
Currently, refugees and individuals seeking protection in Sweden are generally granted temporary residence initially, and may apply for permanent residence after a set period. If the new proposal is implemented, this pathway to permanent residency will no longer exist.
The proposal applies to refugees, those granted alternative protection, and individuals resettled in Sweden. It also covers cases where residence is granted on special humanitarian grounds, where deportation is impossible due to enforcement obstacles, or based on family reunification.
A permanent residence permit, locally known as Permanent uppehållstillstånd– PUT, allows a foreign national to live and work in Sweden indefinitely. It is issued by the Swedish Migration Agency. While the permit itself is permanent, the associated residence card must be renewed every three years.
The government says the move is aimed at making Sweden’s immigration policy stricter and more controlled.