Sweden's 27 exempt occupations and their 75 percent floor

Since 1 June 2026 a first Swedish work permit requires at least 90 percent of the Swedish median wage. Chapter 5, section 6 of the Aliens Ordinance exempts 27 occupations, listed as SSYK 2012 unit groups. For these the floor is 75 percent of the median wage, provided the employer names the correct occupation code in the offer of employment.

The error that sinks the application

The employer states in the offer of employment which occupation the job concerns. That entry is what is tested against the list, not the job title in an internal contract or a vacancy notice. A welder belongs under unit group 7212, welders and gas cutters. If the employer names a neighbouring code that is not on the list, the 75 percent floor falls away and the 90 percent requirement applies instead. A welder offered pay below that level is refused.

The error usually starts with a broad job title, such as fitter or technician, where the code is chosen from the title rather than the actual duties. The core rule on salary in chapter 6, section 2, first paragraph, point 1 of the Aliens Act is unchanged; the exemption is a deviation that holds only for the codes the ordinance names.

Exempt occupations by SSYK 2012 code

The list was inserted by Förordning (2026:605), and the occupation exemption applies from 1 June 2026. The table shows a selection of the exempt unit groups, sorted by sector.

The full list is in the Aliens Ordinance (2006:97). Check the code against the ordinance as worded on the decision date.

Three salary thresholds and when each applies

In practice the employer has to keep three levels apart.

The startup exemption covers tech or life science companies under five years old with fewer than 100 employees. Former students and researchers, and holders of EU temporary protection, are exempt for two years or until their current permit expires. At every level, salary and other terms must still match the Swedish collective agreement or the practice in the occupation or industry.

Extensions and the decision date

The list in force on the decision date decides. The new requirement also applies to applications filed before 1 June 2026 when the decision is taken on or after that date. At an extension the occupation must still be on the list. If it has been removed, the full 90 percent requirement applies, and pay that was sufficient at the first decision may then fall short.

The scale was limited at introduction. In May 2026 about 120 of roughly 2,200 open first time work permit cases concerned an occupation that could be exempted. For employers in the sectors concerned the effect is still direct, because the gap between 75 and 90 percent decides whether a post can be filled through labour migration at all.

Checks before the offer of employment

The employer should run the checks before the offer is filed in the e-service:

• Set the SSYK 2012 code from the actual duties and compare it with the ordinance's list.
• Test the salary against 75 and against 90 percent of the median wage at the time of application.
• Compare pay and terms with the collective agreement or industry practice.
• Plan the extension: check the list again before the extension application is filed.

The general rule is covered in Sweden's 2026 work permit salary requirement, and the extra review in high risk sectors and work permit scrutiny. Open positions are on the job board.