Swedish rule for family reunification

[xixioge]

Please, I have been lurking and mostly following the discussion about the above topic and I'm kind of curious to know about the difference between those who can use the Swedish rule versus the EU rule.
I mean, to use the Swedish rule, does one have to be married to a Swede or is that rule also extended to nationals of other EU countries who live in Sweden?
I'm asking this partly because I have a friend who has been married to a british citizen for the past 3 years in Malmo and she is counting the days until she reaches 5 years to qualify for a permanent residence permit under the EU rule. Why then is she waiting if people are allowed or given the chance to switch to the Swedish rule instead of the EU one and get their PR faster?

[skaanebo]

The Swedish laws on immigration apply to anyone in Sweden but there are different requirements according to citizenship of the persons involved. EU nationals can apply under Swedish rules as well without any requirement of being married. However, if the couple have not been cohabiting abroad prior to moving to Sweden, the likely outcome of an application under Swedish laws will be a temporary 2 year residence permit, which can then become permanent after 2 years. So nothing much is gained in that case, timewise. If the couple have been cohabiting abroad for 2 years prior to moving to Sweden, though, a permanent residence permit will usually be granted right away when applying.

[xixioge]

Thanks for your reply skaanebo
What of this scenario (since it is still a bit confusing to me)...assuming a non-EU national moves to Sweden, marries an EU national and they start cohabiting together right after their marriage. Does it mean they must have lived in Sweden together for a total of 2 years before the non EU spouse is allowed to apply for residence permit under the Swedish rule?

[fundiver199]

No they can do that right away. And after staying 6 month in Sweden legally, they can do it without the non-EU spouse having to leave Sweden and apply from his home country.

[xixioge]

No they can do that right away. And after staying 6 month in Sweden legally, they can do it without the non-EU spouse having to leave Sweden and apply from his home country.

Thanks fundiver199!. This discovery is very interesting indeed. Please what about getting the citizenship? How long does it take for the non-EU spouse of an EU citizen? I know with swedes' spouses, it takes less than 4 years i.e. they qualify for it after living just 3 years in Sweden ( I think)?

[skaanebo]

It takes 3 years if you cohabit with a Swede and have a permanent residence permit.

4 years if you are stateless and have a permanent residence permit.

5 years for anyone else provided they have obtained a permanent residence permit.

In general there are also requirements on not having committed crimes or having debts overdue to the government.

[xixioge]

It takes 3 years if you cohabit with a Swede and have a permanent residence permit.

4 years if you are stateless and have a permanent residence permit.

5 years for anyone else provided they have obtained a permanent residence permit.

In general there are also requirements on not having committed crimes or having debts overdue to the government.

Thanks!