The 'Sambo' Visa (Cohabitation Permit): A 2025 Guide for Partners

The late-night video calls, the countdowns to the next visit, the ache of saying goodbye at the airport yet again. If you're in a relationship with someone in Sweden, you know this feeling all too well. You’ve probably spent hours dreaming of the day you can finally close the distance and trade those pixelated screens for a shared cup of coffee in a cozy Stockholm café.

The good news? Sweden has a well-established pathway for you. It’s officially called a residence permit to move to someone in Sweden, but it’s more affectionately (and commonly) known as the 'Sambo' visa.

If this is your goal for 2025, you're in the right place. This isn't just another visa; it's a recognition of a modern relationship and your ticket to starting a life together in the land of fika and forests. But the process can feel like navigating a maze. Let's walk through it together, step-by-step, with the most current information for 2025.

What Exactly is a 'Sambo'? More Than Just a Roommate

First things first, let's clear up the terminology. In Swedish, 'sambo' is a contraction of "sammanboende," which means "living together." It refers to a partner in a long-term, committed, cohabiting relationship who isn't married. This isn't just slang; it's a legally recognized status in Sweden that comes with specific rights and obligations, similar to a common-law partnership in other countries.

The Sambo visa, therefore, is for you if you and your Swedish partner intend to live together in Sweden in a serious, marriage-like relationship. It’s designed for couples who aren't married or in a registered partnership but are just as committed.

Are You Eligible? The 2025 Checklist

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has a clear set of criteria. Getting this right from the start is the most critical part of your application. Let's break down the main requirements for 2025.

1. The Relationship Requirement

This is the heart of your application. You must prove that your relationship is genuine and serious. Migrationsverket will be looking for evidence that:

• You are both over 18.
• You are not married to or in a registered partnership with other people.
• You have met in person. This is a non-negotiable rule. Online-only relationships do not qualify. You need to prove you have spent physical time together.
• You have a well-documented and ongoing relationship. This is where you build your case. Start gathering evidence like:

  • Flight tickets and passport stamps from visits.

  • Photos of you together, with friends, and with family.

  • Screenshots of communication (texts, call logs, video call history) showing regular contact over a long period.

  • Joint financial commitments if you have any (e.g., a joint bank account, shared bills).

• You genuinely intend to live together in Sweden. Your application questionnaire will ask detailed questions about your future plans.

2. The Sponsor's Requirement (The 'Anknytningsperson')

Your partner in Sweden, the sponsor or anknytningsperson, also has a significant set of requirements to meet. This is often the most challenging part of the application.

The Maintenance Requirement (Försörjningskravet): Your partner must prove they can financially support both of you. For 2025, they must have a regular income from work, unemployment benefits, or a pension that is sufficient after their housing costs are paid.

According to the Swedish Migration Agency's latest figures, the monthly income required after tax and after rent is paid is:

Example: If you are applying as a couple with no children, your partner must have at least SEK 10,061 left over each month after their rent has been paid. They must prove this with employment contracts and recent payslips.

The Housing Requirement: Your sponsor must also have a home of a sufficient size and standard for both of you.

• For a couple with no children: A home must have at least one room with a kitchen or kitchenette. A one-room apartment (etta) is generally considered acceptable.
• If you have children: You will need more bedrooms. Two children can share a bedroom.

The sponsor must be able to prove they own the home or have a rental contract (first- or second-hand) for at least one year from the date of your arrival. Simply living with parents is usually not sufficient unless there is a clearly separate and appropriately sized living space.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deep breaths. The process is long, but it's manageable if you take it one step at a time. The most efficient way is to apply online.

Step 1: Gather Your Arsenal (Documentation) Before you even touch the online form, get your documents in order. You (the applicant) will need:

• Copies of your valid passport pages showing your identity and validity period.
• If applicable, documents proving you are single (e.g., divorce decree or certificate of non-impediment).
• All the relationship evidence you’ve collected (see above).

Your partner in Sweden will need:

• Employment contracts and payslips for the last several months.
• Your rental contract or proof of home ownership (bostadsrätt or hus).
• Their Swedish ID or passport.

Step 2: The Online Application The application is filed through the Swedish Migration Agency's website. You, the applicant, typically start the process. You'll fill out a detailed questionnaire about yourself, your partner, and your relationship history. Be prepared for very specific questions: "When and where did you first meet?", "Describe your plans for the future," "How do you communicate?".

After you submit your part, your partner in Sweden will receive an email with a link to their section of the questionnaire. They will fill out their information and upload their supporting documents regarding income and housing.

Step 3: The Waiting Game This is the hardest part. Processing times for cohabitation permits are notoriously long and can vary wildly. As of early 2025, the Migration Agency's stated aim is to process most cases within 13-18 months, but real-world experiences from expat forums often report waits of anywhere from 10 to over 20 months.

You can check the estimated waiting time on the Migration Agency’s website, but be prepared for it to be an estimate, not a guarantee. Patience is not just a virtue here; it's a necessity.

Step 4: The Interview Most applicants will be called for an interview at a Swedish embassy or consulate general in their home country or a country where they have a residence permit. Your partner in Sweden may also be interviewed separately by the Migration Agency in Sweden.

The goal of the interview is to verify the information in your application and confirm your relationship is genuine. They will ask questions similar to the ones in the application. The key is to be honest, consistent, and calm.

Step 5: The Decision Once a decision is made, you will be notified. If approved, you will need to have your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) taken at the embassy to receive your residence permit card (uppehållstillståndskort). Do not book travel to Sweden until you have the card in your hand. This card is your proof of your right to reside in Sweden.

The Numbers Game: Costs and Timelines for 2025

Note: Fees are subject to change. Always check the official Migration Agency website before applying.

You've Arrived! Now What? Your First Steps in Sweden

Congratulations! You’ve made it. But getting the permit is just the beginning. Here’s a quick checklist for your first few weeks:

1. Register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket): This is your most important task. Once you are registered in the Swedish Population Register, you will receive your personal identity number, the famous personnummer. This 12-digit number is your key to everything in Sweden: opening a bank account, getting a phone plan, accessing healthcare, and more.
2. Get your Swedish ID Card: After you have your personnummer, you can apply for a Swedish ID card from Skatteverket. This is the primary form of identification used within Sweden.
3. Sign up for SFI (Swedish for Immigrants): Your municipality (kommun) offers free Swedish language courses. Learning the language is absolutely essential for integrating into society and the job market.
4. Healthcare: Once you have your personnummer, you are entitled to the same state-funded healthcare as any Swedish citizen.
5. Right to Work: Your cohabitation permit grants you the right to work in Sweden from day one. You don't need a separate work permit.

Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips from Fellow Expats

• Over-Document Everything: You cannot provide too much evidence of your relationship. It’s better to have it and not need it than to be asked for more information, which can delay your application.
• The Sponsor's Requirements are KING: The most common reason for a swift rejection is the sponsor failing to meet the maintenance or housing requirements. Double- and triple-check that your partner's income and living situation are compliant before you apply.
• Be Consistent: Your answers in the application and the interview must match. Any inconsistencies can raise red flags. Review your application together before the interviews.
• Don't Visit Sweden as a Tourist to Wait for a Decision: As a general rule, you must wait for your decision outside of Sweden. While some non-EU citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days, you cannot stay and await your permit.

The journey to a Sambo visa is a marathon, not a sprint. It will test your patience and your relationship. But holding that residence permit card and knowing you can finally begin your life together without an ocean between you makes every form, every document, and every day of waiting completely worth it.

Good luck, and maybe I'll see you at a fika spot in Sweden soon