From the cluster of some 30,000 islands and skerries which form the beautiful Stockholm archipelago, the magnificent nature of the Skåne country in the south and to breathtaking northern lights high up in the north, the beauty of Sweden’s culture and landscape has drawn people from around the world for centuries. Moving to Scandinavia – Part 3 – Sweden is part of our new series Expat in Scandinavia.
While the country’s diverse economy and liberal immigration policies once made it easy for expats to move to Sweden, immigration requirements have become tighter over time. Now it’s generally expats with specialist skills that are in demand. Free movement in EU countries is, however, a fundamental right guaranteed by European Treaties. Article 2 of the Schengen Agreement states that “internal borders may be crossed at any point without any ch3ecks on persons carried out.” Sweden is an EU member country.
Living in Sweden as an expat
There are a number of strong sectors in the Swedish economy, including IT, engineering, finance, healthcare, energy, construction, oil and gas. Expats with experience and sought-after skills in these sectors will find that there is plenty of scope for career progression in Sweden.
The quality and affordability of housing in Sweden varies widely. While expats may struggle to find spacious, high-quality accommodation that doesn’t break the bank in notoriously expensive Stockholm, there are many areas in Sweden where it’s much easier to find appropriate housing at a decent price.
Public transport in Sweden is generally of a high standard and the quality of road infrastructure is excellent.
The Swedish health system performs well in general, life expectancy in the country is high and the general health among the population is good. Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), among others, confirm that healthcare in Sweden provides good access to high-quality care.
Visitors from the European Union can receive public healthcare services in Sweden just like locals would, providing they hold a European Health Insurance Card or EHIC. An EHIC is free but must be obtained in your home country before you travel.
If you’re a professional living and working in Sweden, you can ensure your medical needs are met by choosing a suitable international health insurance plan.
You can read more about health insurance in Sweden for foreigners here.
Cost of living in Sweden
As with any country, the cost of living in Sweden varies depending on expat’s lifestyle choices and location. Major cities such as Stockholm have a well-earned reputation of being pricey to live in, and while life in the rest of Sweden is by no means cheap, the cost of living is substantially lower outside the capital area.
Expat families and children
Public schools in Sweden are supported by their municipality (i.e., the state or province) and thus paid for by Swedish taxes. The government body that oversees education across the country is the Swedish National Agency for Education. This body of government is responsible for ensuring all students in Sweden have access to high-quality education regardless of where they live in Sweden. Public schools follow the Swedish National Syllabus, which teaches all general subjects.
If you are not planning on staying in Sweden for long, one of the best ways to keep your child up to date with the education system of their home country is by sending them to an international school. You can easily find resources for Swedish translation services to help your child’s transition and integration into the local culture and academic environment. Thanks to their diverse international population, Sweden contains many international schools to suit the needs of students from across the globe.
Ultimately, Sweden is a fantastic option for skilled expats, and for raising a family. It is also well positioned for easy and affordable travel to Europe and beyond.
Climate in Sweden
Winter and summer temperature differences in Sweden are extreme, but generally the country enjoys a temperate climate, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Above the Arctic Circle, winter is severe with temperatures going below -30°C, while summer temperatures here, and in the rest of the country, regularly hit +20°C.
Fast facts
Population: 10,618,203 (2023)
Capital city: Stockholm (also the largest city)
Neighboring countries: Sweden shares a land-border with Norway and Finland. It is connected to Denmark (Copenhagen) by the Öresund bridge.
Geography: Much of Sweden is heavily forested, with 69% of the country being forest and woodland, while farmland constitutes only 8% of land use. Sweden consists of 39,960 km2 of water area, constituting around 95,700 lakes. The lakes are sometimes used for water-power plants, especially the large northern rivers and lakes.
Major religion: Christianity.
Political system: Parliamentary, constitutional monarchy.
Main language: Swedish. English is mostly fluently spoken.
Money: The currency of Sweden is svenske kroner – Swedish crowns (SEK), which is subdivided into 100 øre. In order to open a bank account in Sweden, most banks require proof of a local address and a form of official identification, such as a passport.
Time: GMT (GMT +2).
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. The power plug sockets are of type F (flat two-pin plug).
Internet domain: .se
International dialing code: +46
Emergency contacts: 112.
Transport and driving: Driving is on right-hand side (from 1968). There is a variety of public transport options available in Sweden and the transportation network is generally well formed both across the country and within most cities.
Moving to Scandinavia – Part 3 – Sweden, compiled by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Photo © Helikopterfoto
You can read our two first compilations in the series Expat in Scandinavia, by clicking the images below.
Moving to Scandinavia – Part 1 – Denmark
Moving to Scandinavia – Part 2 – Norway
