As an international master's student in Sweden, how many hours per week can I work part-time during the semester, and what is the typical hourly wage?

Advice claiming Swedish students can work unlimited hours is outdated for anyone applying now. A 2026 rule change replaced that older, more flexible position with a specific weekly cap tied to when your residence permit was granted.

The New 15 Hour Rule And Who It Applies To

For a Swedish residence permit for higher education granted on or after 11 June 2026, you can work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the semester. During June, July, and August, that limit lifts entirely and you can work without restriction. Certain work tied directly to your education, such as an internship, research work, student representation, or university administration, can also be exempt from the 15 hour limit, so not every hour you work necessarily counts against the cap. Working beyond the permitted hours can affect your residence permit or a future extension, so this is not a soft guideline.

What The Hourly Wage Range Actually Depends On

Sweden has no statutory national minimum wage, so pay is set by individual employment contracts and collective agreements rather than a legal floor. As a broad benchmark, Statistics Sweden reported average private sector manual worker earnings of SEK 212.40 an hour in June 2026, though typical student and entry level jobs vary more widely: cafe, restaurant, and retail work commonly pays SEK 120 to SEK 160 an hour, while university research or student jobs can reach SEK 150 to SEK 220 an hour or more for skilled or IT related work.

This Information Is Also Available On

• Swedish Migration Agency, 2026 residence permit work hour rules
• Statistics Sweden, private sector wage data

My Advice

At the 15 hour cap, even a mid range SEK 160 an hour job gives you only about SEK 10,400 a month before tax, which is not enough to fund your stay on its own. The Swedish Migration Agency specifically requires you to demonstrate sufficient financial means independent of part time work when applying for your permit, so build your budget around that required financial proof first and treat any part time earnings as a supplement, not a core funding source.