Sweden Long-Term Resident Card Photo: Taken On Site — Five-Year Permit Instead of PUT Since 12 July

Many people search for the Sweden long-term resident card photo size before their appointment. The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) answers it on its own pages: you do not bring a photo — you are photographed and fingerprinted on site.

Photo and fingerprints for the EC/EU card

• When your application for long-term resident status is approved, you receive an EC/EU residence permit card. It proves your status and contains, among other things, your fingerprints and a photo.
• To get the card you need to be photographed and fingerprinted — even if you have had a Swedish residence permit before. You book an appointment first.
• The card's chip holds the fingerprints and photo, so every time you need a new card, you are photographed and fingerprinted again.
• Renewal of the EC/EU card works the same way: book an appointment, bring a valid identification document and your card, and you are photographed and fingerprinted for the new one.

What changed on 12 July 2026

Migrationsverket announced that, following legislative changes on 12 July, people granted long-term resident status in Sweden are no longer issued a permanent residence permit (permanent uppehållstillstånd, PUT). Instead they receive a five-year residence permit. More broadly, since 12 July permanent residence permits are, as a general rule, no longer granted.

The status itself is valid indefinitely or until revoked — for example after more than one year outside the EU or more than six consecutive years outside Sweden — but the temporary residence permit must be extended after five years.

Delivery and validity

The EC/EU card, and the residence permit card if you get one, are sent to your home address within about a week after they are ready. A residence permit card is valid as long as the permit, but for at most three years; it is not an identity or travel document — you travel with it together with your passport. Family members do not get long-term status automatically: each submits their own application.

Your card photo is taken by the agency. If you also need a printed 35 × 45 mm photo for another application, make one on our Sweden long-term resident photo page.