Sweden

Coastal Beaches

Cost of Living: High

Train Access: Yes (sj, mtr express, snälltåget, tågab, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Swebus, Ybuss, FlixBus, Nettbuss, very safe)

Sweden, officially known as the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe. It is the fifth largest country in Europe by land area and is characterized by its deep and complex history, rich cultural heritage, and striking natural landscapes. Sweden boasts a diverse topography that includes dense forests, rolling plains, and an extensive archipelago along its eastern coast. The country is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation, and high quality of life. Its capital, Stockholm, is built on 14 islands and is often referred to as the "Venice of the North." The Swedish social system is renowned for its welfare policies, including universal healthcare and education, which contribute to its high standard of living. Sweden has a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch currently being King Carl XVI Gustaf. The country has a strong economy, with key sectors including manufacturing, services, and technology. It is also famous for its contributions to music, literature, and design. Sweden has a rich tradition of folklore and festivals, and its cuisine is known for dishes such as meatballs, herring, and crispbread. The official language is Swedish, and the country has a reputation for high proficiency in English among its residents. Sweden is a member of the European Union but has retained its own currency, the Swedish krona. The nation has a long-standing tradition of neutrality in international conflicts and is home to the Nobel Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the fields of literature, peace, and the sciences.

Expat Lifestyle

B+

Private Schools

Family Friendly

B+

Single Friendly

A-

Senior Friendly

LGBTQ+ Friendly

Weather

Healthcare

Cost of Living

Recreation

A-

Nightlife

Restaurants

A-

Crime

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Sweden is considered high, particularly in major cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Housing, transportation, and personal goods and services can be quite expensive compared to other countries.

Weather

Sweden has a temperate climate in the south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers, while the northern part of the country has a subarctic climate. The coastal areas can be relatively mild compared to the interior regions, which experience greater extremes of cold in the winter and warmth in the summer. The country generally has a high amount of precipitation with snowfall during the winter months, especially in the north.

Educational System Sweden

The educational system in Sweden is known for its inclusive and equitable approach, designed to ensure that every child has access to education regardless of their background. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The system is divided into several stages: förskola (preschool), lågstadiet (grades 1-3), mellanstadiet (grades 4-6), högstadiet (grades 7-9), and gymnasieskola (upper secondary school, grades 10-12). Preschool is available from the age of one and is focused on play and socialization. At the age of six, children begin their formal education in förskoleklass, which is a transition year before starting lågstadiet. The curriculum includes languages, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, physical education, and technology. After completing grade 9, students receive a leaving certificate that allows them to proceed to upper secondary school, where they can choose between various programs that are either academic or vocational. These programs last for three years and prepare students for higher education or employment. Swedish education emphasizes student well-being, critical thinking, and group work. Schools often provide free meals, healthcare, and counseling services. The school year runs from mid-August to early June, with breaks in between. Education in Sweden is free, including textbooks and school meals.

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Visa & Residency

Difficulty Obtaining: average

Popular Expat Visa/s: Samordningsnummer (Coordination Number), Personnummer (Personal Identity Number)

Popular Nomad Visa/s: The standard visitor visa allows digital nomads to stay for up to 90 days

Obtaining a residency visa in Sweden involves several steps and can vary depending on the individual's circumstances and the type of visa they are applying for. The most common types of residency visas include work permits, study permits, and family reunification visas. For non-EU citizens, the process typically starts with securing a job or a place in a Swedish educational institution. Once an offer of employment or admission to study is received, the individual can apply for a residence permit through the Swedish Migration Agency, Migrationsverket. For a work permit, the employer in Sweden initiates the process by offering a job and proving that they have advertised the position within the EU/EEA for at least ten days. The employee must then submit an application with documents such as a valid passport, the employment offer, and evidence of sufficient qualifications for the job. The processing time can vary, but it generally takes about 1-3 months. Students must have been admitted to full-time studies and show proof of financial self-sufficiency and health insurance to be granted a residence permit for studies. This process also typically takes 1-3 months. Family reunification visas require proof of a genuine relationship and that the person living in Sweden can support their family member and provide adequate living accommodations. For digital nomads, the standard visitor visa allows them to stay for up to 90 days. However, Sweden does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa. Those wishing to stay longer would need to apply for a different type of residence permit that aligns with their situation, such as self-employment. The difficulty of the process can be considered average, but it requires careful attention to detail and complete documentation. The Swedish Migration Agency's website provides comprehensive information and is the primary resource for applications and inquiries. It is important to start the application process well in advance of the intended move date due to processing times and potential additional documentation requests.

Living in Sweden

Movies Set: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, A Man Called Ove, Let the Right One In

Popular Foods: Swedish cuisine is characterized by its simplicity and reliance on fresh, local ingredients. Some of the most popular dishes include meatballs served with lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes, pickled herring which is often eaten during traditional celebrations, and pea soup typically served with pancakes on Thursdays. For dessert, Swedes enjoy pastries such as cinnamon buns (kanelbullar) and the almond-filled pastry known as semla.

Unusual Eats: Surströmming, fermented Baltic herring, is a notorious Swedish delicacy with a very strong smell that many visitors find challenging to eat. Another unusual food is blodpudding, a type of black pudding made with pig's blood, fat, and flour, typically served with lingonberry jam.

Popular Sports: football, ice hockey, handball, bandy, cross-country skiing

Popular Teams: AIK Fotboll (football), IFK Göteborg (football), Frölunda HC (ice hockey), Djurgårdens IF (ice hockey)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: Visitors should avoid discussing personal wealth or asking about someone's salary, as Swedes value equality and privacy. It's also important to be punctual for meetings and social engagements, as timeliness is highly regarded in Swedish culture. Additionally, taking off your shoes when entering someone's home is a common practice and expected to keep the indoors clean.

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"Hello. I'm just after a bit of advice from anyone that knows anything or has moved from another country to Sweden. I currently live in the UK and my boyfriend lives in Sweden. I am looking to move there to live with him, but would really love to chat to someone who can offer me a bit of advice, because i really don't know where to start! Many thanks, Ambs" - Ambs

Connect with Others on the Sweden Community

Healthcare in Sweden

The healthcare system in Sweden is known for its high quality and is predominantly publicly funded through taxes, managed by the regional councils and municipalities. Public healthcare is available to all residents, including expats and digital nomads who have registered with the Swedish Tax Agency and have a personal identity number (personnummer). Once registered, they gain access to healthcare services at the same cost as Swedish citizens. Private healthcare exists but is less common, and it often works in conjunction with the public system to provide more immediate or specialized services. The cost for public healthcare is capped annually, with visits to doctors and hospital stays requiring small fees up to the cap, after which services are free. Private healthcare costs are typically higher and paid out-of-pocket or through private insurance. The quality of both public and private healthcare in Sweden is generally high, with a strong emphasis on preventative care and accessibility.

"We've been looking all over for information about how to get permits as an unmarried couple living together in Sweden. We both want to work, and we have no family in Sweden. Does anyone have any helpful links or advice for making the process easier? We will also both be recent graduates from college when we apply, so a student visa is out of the question. Any help on this would be appreciated. All we can find so far is a lot of info on moving there if you have family already or if you are from an EU country. Thank you!" - mck2822

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Sweden

Visa & Residency

Living in Sweden

Healthcare in Sweden