Living in :
Sweden
Once in Sweden, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Sweden. However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. You are able to enter the country as a tourist and to look for a job once you arrive.
As an EU Citizen, you are entitled to stay freely in Sweden for 3 months, however if you plan on working or staying longer than 3 months, you must apply for a residence certificate (uppehållstillstånd).
British Embassy - Stockholm
Migration Sverket - Registration for EU/EEA Citizens
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Födelsesnummer (Swedish population registery number). If employed, your employer may arrange this for you, however if you are self employed or have your own business, you must speak with your accountant to arrange this. However, in most cases you will be expected to do this yourself.
Everything about you is recorded via this number. Tax payments, social security etc. Applications must be made via the Skatteverket. You need to take your passport, residence permit, and all family birth certificates as well as all documents pertaining to any marriages/divorces you may have had. You'll then be given your number. Without this number, you will be working illegally!
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Sweden has a very advanced childcare system. Speak with your local commune who can help you find daycare places. Information regarding childcare for preschool children can be found here:
Skolverket - Childcare in Sweden
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school between the ages of 6 and 7 depending on their date of birth. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Swedish school?" These sites may help you with this decision.
Consulate General of Sweden - Education
Wikipedia - Education in Sweden
Ministry of Education
Swedish Tourism - Education
Consulate General of Sweden - International Schools in Sweden
British International Primary School - Stockholm
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Most Doctors and Dentists are English speaking. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For a really good English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
At your first visit to an "Apoteket" (Pharmacy) with a prescription, you can apply for a free "Apotek-kort". If you show this each time you collect a prescription, the costs of your medication will decrease over the year. For more information, speak with your pharmacist.
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Most banking is done online in Sweden and via direct debit so it's vital that you have an account. To open an account you'll need proof of residency and your födelsesnummer number. Many banks now offer an English interface and English correspondance, it's well worth investigating this. Research is certainly the key when it comes to opening a bank account!
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Swedish authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
Driving Permit - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Swedish authorities and have it replaced with a Swedish Licence (you must have been a resident for at least 185 days to do this).
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Swedish roads! This website should help you. The traffic laws are outlined here:
Vägverket - Rules of the Road
Europa - Getting there
Many roads have speed cams and those with a British Licence can be fined - but be warned, they are hefty fines!
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Sweden, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Vägverket - Importing vehicles into Sweden
If you decide to import your vehicle permanently, contact your local commune or customs office who can point you in the direction of the vehicle registration office. They will be able to give you information regarding all the procedures which will need to be followed to ensure your car is legally registered in Sweden.
New and second hand cards are very easy to come by in Sweden, however when looking to buy, always go with someone who knows about cars so they can look at it and help you decide if it is worth the money the person is asking. If you are unsure, buy from a reputable dealer and one that offers warrenties in case something goes wrong. You can find deals in local papers and on the internet, but make sure you check it out properly.
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Sweden. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
Jobs in Stockholm
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Register for language courses
Us Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Sweden
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Sweden.
You will need to contact the British Consulate in Stockholm to find out what paperwork you will need. However the following website may be of use although it's not specific to Sweden.
Foreign Office - Marriage Abroad
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British Nationals dying in Sweden
While in Sweden, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Stockholm should be of help. If you can not find what you're looking for, then call them. That's what they are there for!
Foreign Office - Registering a Death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! In the first while you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 112
Ambulance - 112
Fire Bregade - 112
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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