Countries outside the EU/EEA most often require that accompanying partners have a work permit. Agreements on work permits for accompanying partners are initiated by the mission abroad and administered by the contact person for accompanying partners at the Human Resources Department.
Sweden’s bilateral agreements are based on the Council of Europe model agreement, adopted in 1987, which is a recommendation for a bilateral model agreement on work permits for accompanying partners of posted staff. The agreement does not release the accompanying partner from the obligation to have a work permit, but it does require that applications that are submitted are handled promptly and appropriately.
As of 2023, Sweden has entered into bilateral agreements or similar agreements with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Israel, Canada, Namibia, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the United States. Negotiations are underway with other countries. Please note, however, that the agreements do not always include cohabitees.