Moving to Sweden: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Sweden

• Well-developed infrastructure, even in the suburbs.
• Nature within walking distance: islands, the sea with incredible views.
• Respect for the rights and freedoms of every individual, social and state support. High quality of life and good salaries, even for unskilled jobs.
• Top-level healthcare.
• Low crime rate.
• Free school and higher education for citizens and foreigners with a residence permit or permanent residence.
• In Sweden, children are revered: medical care, including dentistry for children under 18, is free, schools provide good tablets and laptops, and sports clubs and extracurricular activities are available to everyone.
• There are free Swedish and English language courses for foreigners.

Cons of living in Sweden

• One of the highest tax rates in the EU.
• Winters are cold, days are shorter, sunsets are early, and sunrises are late.
• High prices for housing, food, and other services.
• The language is considered difficult, similar to German.
• High prices for medical services, especially dental care. Long waiting lists for specialists, up to six months.
• It can be difficult to find a job, as most employers prefer candidates who speak Swedish.
• Demand for housing exceeds supply. This affects prices and makes it difficult to find suitable housing.

Andrey Burenok, creator of the travel service tripmydream, who has visited 62 countries and filmed videos about emigration to these countries, shared his ranking of the best countries to move to in 2024 on his YouTube channel. Sweden is also on this list.

What types of visas are there for Sweden?

• Short-term visa type C — Schengen visa (tourist), allows you to stay for up to 90 days during a six-month period.
• National category D — allows you to stay for more than 90 days during a six-month period, suitable for study or employment.
• Guest visa — issued upon invitation from relatives or friends in Sweden.

List of documents required to obtain a visa to Sweden:

• valid foreign passport and copies of all pages;
• national passport and copies of all pages;
• two 3x4 cm photos;
• receipt for payment of the visa fee;
• visa application form completed in English or Swedish;
• proof of financial means or a bank statement confirming sufficient funds for your stay in Sweden;
• certificate from your place of study or work;
• documents for private entrepreneurs, a copy of the registration certificate, tax return;
• medical insurance;
• copy of rental agreement or document confirming ownership;
• for children under 18 years of age – foreign passport, original and copy of birth certificate.

Documents should be submitted to the Swedish consulate or visa center in your country of residence.

Entry regulations to Sweden

Citizens of countries entitled to visa-free entry to the Schengen Area may stay in Sweden for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Nationals of countries subject to a visa requirement must obtain a Schengen visa in advance. Upon entry, border authorities may request a valid passport, a return ticket, proof of accommodation, medical insurance, and evidence of sufficient financial means. The purpose of travel must correspond to the declared type of visa or visa-free stay.

How to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in Sweden

You can obtain a residence permit in Sweden through family reunification, employment, starting a business, studying, or through refugee status. You can find more detailed information on the Swedish Migration Agency website. After living in the country for four years, you can apply for permanent residence, and after five years, you can apply for citizenship. You can apply for a residence permit online or in person.

When immigrating through employment in Sweden, the employer is responsible for the residence permit application process for the future employee. Residence permits are issued for a period of one year with the possibility of renewal for up to five years.

Required documents for a residence permit:

• application form in English or Swedish;
• foreign passport, visa;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• medical insurance;
• proof of financial security;
• proof of grounds (employment contract, proof of kinship with a resident of the country, documents on education or business start-up);
• information about family members (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, if immigrating with family members);
• receipt of payment of the fee.

How to obtain Swedish citizenship

Swedish citizens enjoy a number of benefits: the right to live and work in the country, vote in elections, and hold positions in law enforcement agencies. Swedish passport holders can live freely in any EU country. They are also eligible for free education at European universities, high-quality medical care, social protection, and numerous subsidies from the Swedish government.

The process of obtaining a Swedish passport can take up to 10 years. It is issued upon obtaining permanent residence, which is granted after a residence permit.

Collection and preparation of documents:

• application;
• domestic and foreign passport;
• proof of income;
• certificates from the tax office confirming that you have no outstanding debts;
• certificate of no criminal record from your home country;
• birth certificates of children (if any);
• receipt for payment of the fee.

The documents must first be translated into Swedish, copied, and notarized.

Life in Sweden

Work

It is not customary to work long hours here; five coffee breaks during the working day are considered sacred. In Sweden, it does not really matter what your profession is, how old you are, or what gender you are — just do your job well and you will be able to earn decent money.

You can find a job in Sweden through the Public Employment Service. Full information is available in Swedish and English.

Resources for finding work:

• Jobinstockholm
• Thelocal.se
• Öffentligajobb
• Europa.eu

International job search portals such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn also operate in Sweden.

Tax

Sweden has a progressive tax system, meaning that the higher your income, the higher your taxes. The rate depends on your salary; for example, the average salary of €3,314 is taxed at 30%.

Salaries

The average salary in Sweden is €3,314, with an hourly rate starting at €18. High-paying professions include IT specialists, managers, and doctors, with salaries starting at €6,800 per month.

Cost of living

The monthly budget for one person living in Sweden, including rent, ranges from €1,000 to €2,000, and for a family of three, from €2,500. In the capital, you need significantly more money to live than in smaller cities.

Food is cheaper in large supermarkets than in small shops or at the market. On average, a family spends around €400-500.

Transportation in Sweden is well developed. Public transportation costs about €80 per month.

Housing

The cost of renting accommodation depends on the location of the apartment. A cozy one-room studio outside the capital can be rented for less than €1,000.

Due to the high demand for rental housing in Sweden, it can be difficult to find housing from the owner. After moving, many immigrants first rent short-term housing so that they have more time to find the best option.

When signing a lease, the landlord may ask for an employment contract and proof of income. Some landlords may also require a guarantor if they consider your income to be insufficient. It is common practice to pay rent for the first and last month.

The average cost of utilities is around €75 per month, and internet is €30 per month.

Websites for finding accommodation:

• Local
• Blocket
• Boplats Göteborg
• Kalmarhem

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Real estate in Sweden is among the most expensive. A one-room apartment will cost around €150,000, and a two-room apartment will cost €300,000. Many people in Sweden take out mortgages, which offer favorable terms: 2-4% for up to 50 years. When buying a home, you only need a passport and money.

Many Swedish homes do not have radiators; heating is provided by a water-based underfloor heating system. Electric heating is also available.

Sweden has communal laundries where you can reserve a spot in advance, but you can also purchase your own washing machine and install it yourself.

Electric stoves are used for cooking in apartments.

Healthcare

Healthcare is funded by the state through taxes, and a percentage of the cost of prescription drugs is also covered. Sweden has protection against high costs, for example, a maximum of €120 per year for doctor's appointments (a doctor's appointment costs €20-25), if you spend more than this amount, subsequent appointments will be free, as will the purchase of medicines — if you spend more than €200 per year, you will receive a 90% discount on medicines above this amount.

Emergency medical and dental care is free.

Private health insurance costs from €60 per month.