To live in Sweden

Living in Sweden

Swedish Social Security System and Healthcare

Sweden offers high quality social insurance and societal services, such as childcare and healthcare, free of charge or at a very low cost. Schools offer high quality education, also free of charge. Below are some examples of services and corresponding prices:

Social Insurance

Free (In the means that your employer pays the taxes to cover these costs. And you don’t have to think about it)

• Kindergarten/Pre-school Childcare

         Maximum cost of 1478 SEK/child/month

• After-School Childcare

         Maximum cost of 986 SEK/child/month

• Public & Private Schooling (up to high school level)

         Free, and free Lunch in school

• International Schooling

         Free

• University Tuition

         Free

• Planned Health Care

         Free

• Medical Visit with General Practitioner

         150-300 SEK

You can read about a few topics related to parental leave in Sweden and information about the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Försäkringskassan and MVC = Mödravårdscentral (Maternal Healthcare Centre)

Learning Swedish

Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) is the national free Swedish language course offered to most categories of immigrants. Tuition and course literature are free of charge.

SFI is directed towards people who lack basic Swedish skills and the age limit for the courses is sixteen. The municipality (local authority) in which the person lives pays for your courses. Applications to take the courses are made to the municipality's adult education department (kommunens vuxenutbildning). There are several levels of Swedish education and, upon evaluation, people will be placed in the class best suited to their level.

For more information on Lund municipality's information about SFI, click here. 

For information on SFI in Malmö municipality, please click here.

Swedish Self-Education

If attending a language course isn't suitable, or if you would like to pursue some extra practice on your own, here are some tools that might help in learning the language. These also help in getting more familiar with the Swedish culture in different ways:

YouTube: there are plenty of videos teaching about the Swedish language or culture - in more or less serious ways! A good start might be the video called "10 best ways to learn Swedish fast!"

Free language apps: There are a number of apps that could help in learning the language for free, directly in a mobile phone fx. Babbel, Duolingo and Memrise are three excellent examples, which focus on vocabulary and pronunciation. They can be found in the App or Google Store.

Hej Svenska!: An online interactive Swedish learning tool.

Babbel: The online version of the previously mentioned app.

Swedish can also be learnt through audio lessons with, for example, the Pimsleur method

The Swedish Institute: Another website that offers courses, language tests, etc. Visit them and see what they can offer here and here.

BBi (Better Business international): Also offers language training via e-learning and virtual classrooms on their website. 

Swedish News at Beginner Level

For those who would like to be able to follow Swedish news, but in English, there is one useful online website called The Local.T or if  you'd rather read the news in Swedish, there is a newspaper called 8 sidor (8 pages), which is written in simple Swedish. On their website you can order your own subscription or read some of the latest news.

Sveriges radio (Swedish radio) also provides a news programme with news in simple Swedish called "Klartext". To listen to the programme or read about the latest news visit their website. 

Swedish Books at Beginner Level

The publisher LL-förlaget (Lättläst-förlaget = Easy to read publisher) provides a lot of books in simple Swedish - from classic Swedish novels to modern novels from other countries. The books can be ordered on their website. 

Fact Sheets About Sweden

In order to find out more about Sweden, the Swedish Institute has summarised fact sheets about Sweden, covering different areas that might be of interest. 

International Schools

When relocating a family it is of utmost importance that the children have good pre-schools/schools, both high qualities of the education as well as a good social life with new friends.

There are several options for international pre-schools and schools. 

A Selection of Schools in the Malmö, Lund, and Helsingborg area: 

• International English school (IES)
  
• International School of Lund (ISLK)
  
• Bladins International School of Malmö
  
• International school of Helsingborg (ISH)
  
• Malmö International School (MIS)
  
• Lund International School (LIS)

A complete list with links to all international schools in southern Sweden can be found here, 

where an overview of private and public schools, from preschool and compulsory school to upper secondary education and higher education, is provided.

Social Networking

There are many great ways to socialise and expand networks in the Skåne Region:

• Lund International Citizen Hub, LICH
• Lund Social Group
• Malmö Internationals
• HIC Helsingborg International Connections
• InterNations
• Rotary
• The International Club of Skåne
• American Women’s Club in Malmö
• Tamams Student Association (Studentförening) in Lund and Malmö

Things to See and Do in Sweden

Things to do in Skåne contains a variety of information on Skåne in general.

Things to do in Lund you will find a full list of current activities and attractions worth a visit in Lund. Things to do in Malmö contains details of things going on in and around Malmö.

                    Working

                                                                      How to find a job or start your own                                                                                  business, networking tips, and                                                                                          understanding taxes in Sweden.

                                                                      Spouse & Partner Employment

                                                                      Register with the Swedish Public                                                                                      Employment Service                                                                                                            (Arbetsförmedlingen)

                                                                      When looking for a job in Sweden it is                                                                            very important to register at th                                                                                          employment agency, called                                                                                                 Arbetsförmedlingen as soon as possible.

They will assist in finding a representative to speak to about tailoring a specific personal plan. A specific contact person will be allocated to you

Check out the website Work in Sweden

Via Arbetsförmedlingen, you can meet with a job coach. This contact person can assist in showing you how to find employment and can provide information regarding the Swedish and/or Danish job markets.

Vacancies can be found in Platsbanken. Most jobs announcements are in Swedish, but a  search can be made for different jobs by typing in English in the free text/search field.

From Arbetsförmedlingens’s website there is also a link to EURES, 

the European Job Mobility Portal.

If an EU citizen and unemployed at the time of the move within the EU, contact should be made with the local EURES adviser before the move to check entitlement to any benefits from the previous country. For more information, see here. 

Register with Recruitment Companies

Generic CVs and cover letter can be registered on all or some of the following websites:

All positions:

www.ams.se

www.monster.se

www.jobsafari.se

www.manpower.se

www.adecco.se

www.hudson.se

www.poolia.se

www.randstad.se

www.periodo.se

Management positions:

www.trust.tm.se

www.aimsinternational.com

www.neuhauser-falck.se

www.mercuriurval.com/en/Countries/Sweden/

There are other specialised recruitment agencies, which are easy to find on Google. Just search the Swedish word for the area of expertise and write that in addition to the word "rekrytering".

Create match-mails from the mentioned websites that have that service.

Visit Company Websites to Find Open Positions

Searching for jobs via different job sites is one option, as mentioned above, but also directly on the websites of companies of interest. If a position of interest is found, then a CV should be submitted as quickly as possible.  The CV can be constant, but a unique application letter for each position applied for is recommended, and should highlight the essential experience and criteria that match what they are looking for. Avoid sending generic application letters as this may be seen as lack of interest in the advertised position.

Register on LinkedIn

When looking for employment in Sweden, LinkedIn is an important site. LinkedIn helps by boosting visibility and allows creative personal marketing. The site also provides daily tips about interesting job opportunities in a given area. Connect to all business contacts, friends and acquaintances, update your status and let everyone know that you are available for new challenges, or send individual emails to people in your network and let them know you would be interested in hearing more about any opportunities that might arise. There is also the option to ask for references on LinkedIn. Register your CV on LinkedIn.

Please note that EURES is also on LinkedIn. Search for “EURES Sweden”, “EURES Sweden – Tech Group”, “Nurses for Sweden EURES Sweden” and "Life Science Specialists for the Öresund Region”, if any of these groups might be of interest.

Networking

When interested in coming onto the work market it is extremely important to network. One way to get valuable connections is to join a local Rotary club, e.g. Lund International Rotary Club and Malmö International Rotary Club.

A large business network that might be of interest is BNI.

Another is Toastermasters Europe @ Ideon, where, besides networking, there is the opportunity to improve spoken skills.

Please also visit Malmö Business.

Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Those holding an academic exam from abroad and looking for work within an area of competence in Sweden should obtain a recognition of the foreign qualifications by the Swedish "Universitets- och Högskolerådet". More information can be found here: 

For those with a profession within healthcare and looking for a job in that field in Sweden must follow a defined process before a Swedish license can be obtained from "Socialstyrelsen". Examples of professions needing a Swedish license are doctors, nurses, midwifes, dentists etc. More information can be found here: 

Teachers and pre-school teachers seeking work within the profession in Sweden need to contact the Swedish National Agency for Education ("Skolverket"), who make decisions on the registration of teachers and pre-school teachers. More information can be found here: 

Starting Your Own Business

Those interested in starting up their own company in Sweden can contact one of the two companies detailed below, and/or the Swedish placement service, Arbetsförmedlingen.

Nyföretagarcenter Syd

Nyföretagarcenter Syd, NFCS, works with free consultations for those looking to start up their own businesses and also entrepreneurs with a relatively new company. They can help with ideas regarding the business concept and give advice on how to proceed in different matters. NFCS is independent and neutral in relation to established companies, banks and government agencies. NFCS wants to help in any way possible, and aims to give constructive and helpful feedback to all, as well as be the guide that many new entrepreneurs need.

Almi Företagspartner

"Almi's vision is to create opportunities for all viable ideas and companies to be developed. With our advisory service, loans, venture capital and incubation, we have customers in all commercial phases, from ideas to successful companies.”

Additional Important Advice

Be open to positions that may be below current competency levels while learning Swedish. That way you will not feel completely exhausted learning a new language and getting adjusted to a new culture while you also push yourself to perform well, as you would have done in your home country.

If you do not intend to learn Swedish, apply for positions with larger companies in the region and also in Copenhagen (for EU-citizens).

There are classes you can take while waiting for the right opportunity. Please visit www.folkuniversitetet.se or www.medborgarskolan.se to see what paid classes they can offer. Or why not sign up for some free courses at one of the universities in Malmö or Lund?  This is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, network and learn something new at the same time. More information and links can be found under the chapter “Studying in southern Sweden”.

Please remember that finding a new job can take time, and in itself be a full-time job, so do not give up!

Taxes in Sweden

Sweden has a 25% value added tax, or consumption tax, which is high from an international standpoint. 

Taxes in Sweden

SINK Tax 

Sweden Useful Links 

Collection of taxes is the duty of the Swedish Tax Agency. Taxes go to the state, the county councils and the municipalities, and are used to pay society’s expenses for things such as education, care, defence and public administration. Much of the tax is returned in the form of pensions and benefits of various kinds.

All employers deducts a tax before salaries are paid out. The salary slip shows how much incometax has been deducted. WeITglobal pays this amount of tax to the Swedish Tax Agency every month. At the same time, weITglobal pays in employer contributions for each employee (not seen on you salary slip). After having worked for at least 12 months, an income statement is issued at the beginning of the following year, the same information is sent to the Swedish Tax Agency who subsequently issue  a self-assessment (tax return) form in the following February-April. The completed tax return has to be submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency no later than 2nd May. In the middle of June, or after the summer in certain cases, the Swedish Tax Agency will notify you of the result of the final calculation, and notify whether too little tax or too much tax has been paid - meaning either an additional payment is needed or a refund will be made.

Tax Types

‘Normal’ Swedish income tax

The income tax withdrawn by WeITglobal from your salary depends on the base salary and what municipality you live in.

To read more about different tax tables and tax rates, please click here. 

Tax relief for foreign key personnel (‘Expert Tax’)

Foreign key personnel include scientists, researchers, technicians, specialists and others. One main criterion for qualifying for the tax relief on these grounds is that Swedish citizens with the foreigner's skills or talents are impossible or extremely difficult to recruit in Sweden.

The main feature of Sweden's tax relief legislation provides a 25% reduction of taxable income for foreign key personnel. This means that a key foreign individual's income tax will be based on only 75% of their income.

The reduction will apply to the first three years of employment in Sweden. However, foreign key personnel may reside in Sweden for up to five years. Individuals qualifying for tax relief may not be Swedish citizens. An individual who has been a resident in Sweden during any of the five years prior to the start of the assignment in Sweden does not qualify for tax relief status.

To read more about Expert Tax, please click here. 

 Special income tax if you work in Sweden and reside abroad (SINK-tax)

SINK-tax

Those liable for SINK-tax are people resident or domiciled abroad. They must receive income based on work in Sweden and this income must be liable for tax under the Special Income Tax for Non-Residents Act (1991:586).

 Swedish Taxes and the High Standard of Living

The Swedish welfare system — often referred to internationally as The Swedish Model — can be described as providing lifetime benefits for all citizens. It is a social and economic system whose guiding principles are full employment, equal pay for equal work and the collective welfare of society as a whole. Salaries are comparable with other industrialized countries and Swedish residents enjoy a very high quality of life, consistently placing Sweden near the top of the United Nations Human Development Index.

When you are asking for or are offered a monthly salary you pay an Income Tax from this amount every month, this is done automatically and the amount you are paid is what is left after the tax has been withdrawn. In addition to this Incometax that you are paying, weITglobal is paying social fees and taxes, vaccationdays, this amount sums up to about 50% of your salaryrequest.

For example:

You ask for a monthly salary of 45 000 SEK

You automatically pay 11 500 SEK Incometax  (25%)

WeITglobal will pay an addition of 22000 SEK for you

The total cost of hiring you per month for weITglobal 67 000 SEK

Your disposable salary will be 33 500 SEK

To read more about taxation in general in Sweden, please visit Sweden.se, 

LICH - Swedish Tax System, 

and Skatteverket, the Swedish tax agency.

Unemployment Insurance

Private (A-kassa)

Unemployment insurance is in Swedish called Arbetslöshetskassa, or A-kassa. It is a private insurance you voluntarily sign up for yourself. There are several to choose between in the market, often determined by your profession.

More information on unemployment insurance

Many graduates with a university degree are part of AEA, Akademikernas erkända A-kassa. Different insurance companies have different regulations, but you must always be registered unemployed at Arbetsförmedlingen, meet the conditions for work and been a fund member and have been in membership for at least 12 months. You do not have to be a member of any union to sign up for an unemployment insurance.

If you are offered a time-limited employment in Sweden, we recommend you sign up for private unemployment insurance to get financial support when the time-limited employment ends.

Public

If you have worked in Sweden and meet the conditions for work and are registered unemployed at Arbetsförmedlingen without having private unemployment insurance, you are covered by unemployment insurance financed by the government. The government-financed payments are based on your previous salary.

Copyright © weITglobal