MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know
Pre-departure checklist
About Sweden
First Days
Accommodation
Healthcare
Transport
Eating & Drinking
The Darkness
The Swedish Way
Useful Numbers
National Holiday Dates
Useful Links
Congratulations! You are moving to Sweden, one of the most beautiful and unique countries in Europe. A country founded on democracy with gender equality at the fore of policy making. It has made its mark on the world in arenas as varied as medicine and research, culture and the arts, politics, sport and business and is consistently ranked by the OECD as one of the happiest places to live and work. It’s not long until you arrive and find out why!
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know Pre-departure checklist
Valid passport (& work permit if non EU) Driving licence (if relevant) Marriage certificate (if relevant) Flight Ticket Police Check Teaching Qualifications Credit card / cash to get you through to pay day Clothes for all the seasons (don’t forget a winter coat!) Directions to your first night’s address
Sweden Sweden is home to around 9.5 million people. Around two million people live in the three major cities in Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Those born in another country account for 14% of the Swedish population. Sweden is the third largest country in Western Europe and a truly beautiful place to live. It has 53% forest cover, mountains in the north and west and more than 80,000 rivers and lakes. Sweden is divided into three parts: Götaland in the south, Svealand in the middle and Norrland in the northern part of the country. Sweden is also divided into 25 provinces and 21 counties. Modern Sweden is solidly founded on democracy. Democratic principles shape not only the way the country is governed, but all levels of society – from preschool to the workplace. Everyone has the same rights and a chance to have their say. In Sweden we enjoy a free press, the right to participate in demonstrations, freedom of speech and the right to question those in power. Transparency reduces the risk of abuses of power. This is reflected in Sweden’s top rankings over the years as one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Sweden also has one of the highest levels of gender equality in the world. This is based on the belief that when women and men share power and influence equally you get a more just and democratic society. A well-developed welfare system makes it easier for both sexes to balance their work and family life. Of course, equality covers more than gender gaps; it is about offering everyone the same chances regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age. Sweden has a long history of promoting equal rights for all through legislation and by openly taking a stand against all kinds of discrimination. (Source: Migrationsverket) It is the quality of life that makes living and working in Sweden so attractive. With the emphasis on universal welfare benefits all residents have access to a high standard of healthcare, reputable schools and retirement security for years to come. The workforce in Sweden is highly skilled with roughly, a third of employees having some form of tertiary education. Nearly 50% of the country’s outputs and exports are accounted for by the engineering sector, followed closely by telecommunications, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. Sweden is also an up-and-coming European creativity hub for business.
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know First Days You’ve arrived, welcome! Take a few days to settle in, explore your new home and meet the neighbours. Even before you’re saying hej! like a local you will need to… Apply for a personnummer at the Tax Agency (Skatteverket) A personnummer is the equivalent of a social security number and is the golden ticket to all aspects of life in Sweden. You need it for everything, from applying for an internet connection, gym membership or taking out a mobile phone contract. You will need to take a number of documents with you (Passport, IES contract, resident permit (if non EU) & paper application for a personnummer). Your school will help you with this. Once you have a personummer you can apply for a Swedish ID card (400kr), also at the Tax Agency. Open a Swedish Bank Account
We recommend that you open an account with Handelsbanken. We have made arrangements with them to make it as easy as possible to do this. Your school will be able to help you. Current accounts are usually free, but there is an annual fee for a debit card. Banking hours in Sweden are usually 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday. You will need to register online to receive your salary directly into your bank account (instead of by giro). You will receive instructions from your school on how to do this once you have a personnummer.
Get a mobile phone number
You will be provided with a mobile phone from school. This is so that parents and other members of staff can reach you. It doesn’t cost to call another member of staff. If you have a phone from your home country that supports GSM, it can be used in Sweden. If you keep your SIM card from home make sure that it is unlocked by your service provider, for use abroad. To take out a mobile phone contract in Sweden you need a personnummer. There are many providers (e.g. Tele2, Telia, 3) and sub-providers (Comviq, Halebop) and it is easiest to search the internet for the best deal. You can get a pre-paid SIM card without a personnummer. These are available online or in a Pressbyrån.
Accommodation Houses and apartments in Sweden are usually of high standard. Major appliances such as dishwashers and ovens are normally standard in apartments or houses, as are fittings such as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes etc. If you will be living in an apartment with no washing machine in the apartment itself, you will always have access to shared facilities within the apartment complex. There are two different kinds of contracts, first‐hand and second‐hand (sub‐let). When you have a first‐hand contract, you rent from the freeholder, usually one of the
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know municipality‐owned construction companies. The accommodation is unfurnished and you can stay for as long as you want. Notice is normally three months. You usually have to be on a waiting list, and build up points, to get a first-hand property. Second-hand (sub‐lets) are easier to find, the disadvantage is that often you are only guaranteed to rent for a short time. The owners of the apartments need written consent from their landlord to allow the sub‐let and usually permission is only given to sub‐let for one year at a time. In many cases the landlord will extend the permission to sub‐let providing the tenant is taking good care of the apartment. The accommodation may be furnished or unfurnished. Utilities are often included in the rental price (i.e. heating, water, electricity, broadband). Apartments are discussed in meters squared and the number of rooms. For example you might see “2a, 50m2” advertised, which means that is has 2 rooms (1 bedroom & living room) plus the kitchen and bathroom. Swedish apartments are often designed with the emphasis on large living space (i.e. living room & kitchen) rather than bedrooms. It is unusual for an apartment to have its own parking space or garage. Parking facilities have to be contracted separately. Rent is usually paid on 28th. Apartments are advertised on various internet sites, below are a few links: www.blocket.se Anything and everything is advertised on this site. To find apartments for rent go to Bostad – Uthyres – Select your location www.bostaddirekt.com You can view adverts but must register and pay a fee to make contact with the advertisers. www.andrahand.se Second hand rentals www.willhem.se For outside of Stockholm this is a company offering first hand rents that doesn’t require the points system. Remember if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! If you are moving by yourself you may want to consider a renting a room/house share. Rooms are advertised online, or you could talk to your school to see if any existing teachers are looking for a house mate. If you need help understanding a contract, or need a reference, ask your school for help.
Insurance It is a good idea to get contents insurance. It is relatively low cost and most policies also cover you accidentally burning the place down (touch wood that you won’t, but just in case). Most contents policies also have a limited travel insurance, so whilst you are not covered for loss of luggage or missing connections you are covered for illness or hospitalisation while abroad. Go to https://www.compricer.se to compare prices.
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know Internet If your apartment does not come with internet access, and you would like it, then you will need to arrange this once you have a personnummer. Check with the rental agency/landlord of your apartment to see which providers are available in your building. Once you have purchased it, it should be available in a matter of days. You do NOT need to have a landline as well. Sometimes, there seems to be a “hold” on your personnummer during the first 6-12 months, which makes it difficult to get phone and internet plans. There are some companies that will allow you to get plans if you prove to them you have a work contract, so always mention that you can.
Healthcare Public health care is subsidised by the state and almost free, usually a few hundred crowns are required to visit a doctor or hospital. For minor ailments such as tonsillitis, the normal process is to visit a doctor at a healthcare centre (Vårdcentralen) for a consultation. The doctor will refer you on to a hospital or specialist if necessary. You should register with a healthcare centre and can choose between public or private centres. Go to the healthcare centre that you want to belong to and they will help you register. You can change healthcare centres at any time. In Sweden there is “high-cost protection” from the costs of medical care and medication. This means that a patient only pays up to 1,100 kr per year for healthcare. Once you have paid 1,100 kr you receive free healthcare for the rest of the year and are given a free pass (“frikort”). The free pass is valid for 12 months from the date of your first visit. High-cost protection for medicine means that you only pay up to 2,200 kr per year for prescription medicine. Once you have paid 2,200 kr you receive free prescription medicine for the rest of the year. You count the time from the date you purchased the first medicine. (Figures from 2012.)
Dental care (Tandvård) Children under the age of 19 have free dental care at Folktandvården (the national dental service) whereas for adults the state covers only part of the treatment cost. You can choose to have dental care at either the Folktandvården or at a private dental practice. If you decide to see a private dentist make sure they are connected to the system. Adults pay only a partial cost for dental care if the dentist is affiliated to the social insurance system. Some practices offer a dental plan where you can pay a fixed amount every month and all necessary procedures are covered within the plan.
Transport Public Transport Public transport is safe, clean and efficient, but can be expensive without a season pass. It is punctual and journey planners are often available online to help plan your trip. Page | 5
MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know Within cities, tickets are usually sold for one trip and are valid for a certain time period (i.e. 60 minutes) and on all methods of transport (i.e bus, train, tram). When commuting it is usually much cheaper to buy a season pass (i.e. 30/90 days, a year) than to buy single tickets or pay as you go. Cycling is a great way to get around in Sweden (although cold in the winter!). You could look for a second hand bike on blocket.se. Taxis
Taxis are deregulated which means that fares vary from company to company and are often expensive. A taxi must display its rates on the inside and outside of the car. It is often best to agree a fair with the driver, before they start driving. Airport taxis have fixed fairs.
Driving
If you are from outside of the EU, you can drive on your foreign licence for up to one year. After that you will need to apply for a Swedish licence. This involves passing a series of tests, including ice-driving. EU licence holders do not need to apply for a Swedish licence although you can convert it, if you wish. All cars must have winter tyres between December and March. All cars must have their headlights on whilst driving at all times of the day and night (most modern Swedish cars do this automatically).
Eating & Drinking The major supermarkets in Sweden are ICA, Hemköp, Willy’s and Coop, found in most residential areas. If you shop around and look out for deals then prices are competitive. Most shops are open until at least 8pm every day. The Swedish government has a monopoly on selling alcohol, so you can only buy strong beer, wine and spirits at Systembolaget. The age limit for buying alcohol is 20 and you often have to show your identity card to prove your age. Opening hours are weekdays 10am – 7pm and Saturdays 10am – 3pm, closed on Sundays. If you have a sudden beer shortage you can always buy beer under 3.5% abv from the supermarket!
The Darkness Sweden in the summer is long and bright, but conversely winter days are short and dark. The further north you are, the more this is the case. It may seem obvious, but some simple tips can help you through the worst of winter:
Candles are omnipresent in Sweden and filling your apartment with them during the winter will not only enhance the ambience, but make you feel just like a local. Another Swedish tip is to put up Christmas stars or advent candles (jusstake) during advent. It contributes to the “Swedish coziness” and gives more light. Buy an umbrella and a quality raincoat; November is as bad as they say it is! Make sure you wear clothing with reflective strips on it or buy a band to wear around your wrist if you are going to walk/bike home in the dark. It can be very
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know
hard for drivers to see pedestrians so the Swedes are big on “reflex” in the winter months. Don’t let the darkness stop you doing what you normally do. You will see plenty of Swedes leaving the house and cycling/running/walking throughout the winter.
The Swedish Way
Everyone should be considered an equal, and all should strive for mid-level normalcy. Look up “lagom” and the “Law of Jante” and learn them well! Swedes are serious about recycling. Take care to sort and dispose your rubbish accordingly. Try not to show too much outward emotion, Swedes may be confused! Take a number. People rarely queue in Sweden, instead they take a number whatever the situation, from banks to hardware stores. They particularly enjoy playing “find the ticket dispenser” as it is often well disguised. Groceries should be lined up with the barcode facing up and towards you on the checkout conveyor belt and should never, under any circumstances, be stacked.
Useful Numbers 112
The emergency number (Ambulance, Fire & Police)
11 77
Sjukvårdsrådgivningen. For medical advice (from a nurse). It is free to call and open 24 hours.
114 14
Non-emergency police number
National Holiday Dates Known as “red days” these are public holidays when Swedes are usually off work and shops are shut (including the Systembolaget!)
New Year’s Day (1st January) Epiphany (6th January) Good Friday (April) Easter Sunday (April) Easter Monday (April) Labour Day (1st May) Ascension Day (May) Whit Sunday (May) National Day (6th June) Midsummer Eve (a Friday in June) All Saint’s Day (a Saturday in November) Christmas Eve (December) Christmas Day (December) Boxing Day (December) New Year Eve (December)
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MOVING TO SWEDEN: What you should know Useful Links http://www.sweden.se/ “Official Sweden” site http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/ Tourist Information http://www.thelocal.se English–language magazine and news site www.blocket.se Anything and everything for sale / rent is advertised here. www.bostaddirekt.com View apartment rental adverts and pay a fee to make contact with the advertisers. www.andrahand.se Second hand apartment rentals www.willhem.se For outside of Stockholm, first hand apartment rentals http://www.folktandvarden.se/in-english/about-the-swedish-public-dental-service/ Dental Care http://www.1177.se/Other-languages/Engelska/ Healthcare http://www.forsakringskassan.se/sprak/eng Social Insurance www.skatteverket.se Tax Agency http://www.skolverket.se Government department responsible for Education http://www.korkortsportalen.se/andra-sprak/ Driving licences http://www.jordbruksverket.se/swedishboardofagriculture/engelskasidor/animals/import. 4.6621c2fb1231eb917e680002950.html Importing pets https://www.compricer.se Price comparison site http://www.prisjakt.nu/ Product comparison site www.hitta.se The yellow pages & phone book combined where you can search for details of people & businesses www.systembolaget.se State off-licence (www.sl.se Stockholm public transport journey planner)
Remember, if you are browsing in chrome, there is the option to google translate websites, located at the far right of the search bar.
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