{"id":74,"date":"2020-05-20T10:15:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T10:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/?page_id=74"},"modified":"2022-09-12T11:56:54","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T11:56:54","slug":"moving-to-sweden","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving to Sweden &#8211; Step-by-step Guide to Relocate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweden is in the top spot of the countries that are the best choice for expats to move in. Regarding the <\/span><b>quality of life<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>economic stability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Sweden offers plenty of job opportunities. <\/span><b>Excellent public services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a great<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">environment with kind people are just a small list of advantages, as Sweden has the potential to suit your preferences perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if it is about moving to such an orderly country, this process is accompanied by several uncertainties. However, in the scope of cooperation with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMovingTo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, all the obstacles are perfectly solvable, and you can enjoy integrating into the new environment properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get a Residence or Work Permit?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t represent one of the Schengen-agreed-upon nations, <\/span><b>3 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><b>15 working days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before your travel, you must first submit a visa application to enter Sweden.\u00a0 You must submit your application through your nation&#8217;s authorized <\/span><b>Spanish Visa Application Center<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Swedish Embassy,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><b>Consulate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your application must be supported by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>valid passport<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that has at least <\/span><b>2 blank pages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is valid for at least <\/span><b>3 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> beyond the time you want to remain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A current, <\/span><b>passport-compliant photo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of yourself that is the proper size, and you took it no more than <\/span><b>3 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of your travel plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of your residence in your home country or the country you are currently living in permanently.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of your employment or student status.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of having enough financial resources to support yourself.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must have already received a job offer from Sweden to be eligible for a work permit there. Your potential employer must have advertised the job widely, and there should be no qualified\u00a0 Swedish, EU, EEA, or Swiss candidates to apply.\u00a0 Your company must be willing to offer you health, life, employment, and pension insurance and pay at least <\/span><b>SEK 13,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> per month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After your employer applies for your work permit, you should complete the <\/span><b>application form<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With your family, you will be granted residence permits as soon as your work permit is issued. Additionally, on the website of the <\/span><b>Swedish Migration Agency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can acknowledge <\/span><b>special rules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for certain occupations, including researchers, performers, seasonal workers, athletes, and volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of Visas in Sweden<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><b>3<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> kinds of visas in Sweden: <\/span><b>tourist visas, business visas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><b> working visas. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citizens of the <\/span><b>U.S.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>U.K., <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as well as of <\/span><b>EU\/EEA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> countries, are not required to have a visa to stay in Sweden for up to <\/span><b>90 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need a business visa if you plan to visit Sweden temporarily for business purposes. Moreover, as a self-employed person, you can work in Sweden for up to <\/span><b>3 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without a permit. After 3 months, you will need to obtain a <\/span><b>self-employed visa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The same regulation concerns EU\/EEA nationals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding the requirements for a permanent residence visa for Sweden, if you are married, partnered, or the child of a Swedish resident, you may apply for a residence visa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While <\/span><b>EU citizens <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will automatically be granted permanent residency after five straight years of living in Sweden, <\/span><b>non-EU citizens<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must have a valid residence permit and proof of living in Sweden continuously for <\/span><b>5 years.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Additionally, they must be able to support themselves and their families financially.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing Finances in Sweden<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an expat, creating a structured plan to manage your finances and protect and pass on your wealth through savings, investment, and tax planning are crucial.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paying Taxes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Swedish Tax Agency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> registration is the most crucial requirement for new residents. Your inclusion in the system for tax collection, personal identity, monitoring of your marital status, mailing address information, and insurance purposes is ensured by this registration process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After registering with the Tax Agency, you will have a unique personal identification number. This crucial number serves as your legal identification in Sweden and is required for routine official actions like opening bank accounts and receiving paychecks from your employer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you move to Sweden, you&#8217;ll have to contribute to the country&#8217;s well-developed social assistance system by paying taxes. The tax system is a little more complicated for self-employed people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must sign up for<\/span><b> F-skatt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to launch your business as a <\/span><b>sole trader.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 Howevery, taxes are automatically deducted from your paycheck each month if you work for a company.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opening a Bank Account<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s easy to open a bank account in Sweden. Typically, you need a <\/span><b>valid passport<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along with a Swedish personal identity number or <\/span><b>ID card<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for this process. You can obtain the required <\/span><b>credit <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><b>debit <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cards and <\/span><b>financial services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the bank. While paying bills is frequently conducted online, a bank account is quite helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overlook ordering a <\/span><b>BankID <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from the Swedish bank you&#8217;ve chosen, and download the <\/span><b>BankID app<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> onto a smartphone. Since so much online identification in Sweden is based on the BankID, having one is essential to get by. After obtaining a BankID, we advise you to download the <\/span><b>Swish app.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Relocate Your Belongings?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are moving to Sweden from within the EU or from outside the EU will affect how you move your household goods and possessions there. You will immediately be exempt from paying <\/span><b>customs tax<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you move from the EU. Additionally, you are not required to show your belongings to Swedish Customs. If you are relocating outside the EU, you will request relief from <\/span><b>duty <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>VAT <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on personal belongings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Various methods are available for exporting items to Sweden. <\/span><b>Cargo ship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shipping is a popular choice because it is usually the <\/span><b>least expensive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but takes the longest. <\/span><b>Shipping by water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might take up to several months, depending on where you are shipping your products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common transportation methods are <\/span><b>air <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>land <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">since they are more convenient and efficient. Given that finding a permanent home takes foreigners and native Swedes months, Sweden offers a range of <\/span><b>storage solutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to suit the demands of any expat. Thus, storage spaces are in high demand since there is a shortage of homes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relocating Pets in Sweden<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your pet is coming from a country deemed <\/span><b>\u201chigh risk\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for rabies, they require to be vaccinated <\/span><b>1 month<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before arriving in Sweden. In the usual case, a <\/span><b>regular yearly vaccine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be sufficient. However, the recommendation of a <\/span><b>tick-borne vaccination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may surprise newcomers. Furthermore, as an additional requirement, your pet needs to be <\/span><b>microchipped <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and have a valid veterinary certificate or EU passport.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your animal arrives before or after you, it must be <\/span><b>declared <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at the <\/span><b>Swedish border<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within <\/span><b>5 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your arrival. In addition, obtaining an <\/span><b>authorization form <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stating that the animal is yours is necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get an Insurance: Healthcare System in Sweden<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweden&#8217;s healthcare system and health insurance are well-known internationally. Many other nations utilize this system as a model for their own medical practices since it is so efficient. The Swedish have the <\/span><b>highest GDP expenditure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on healthcare in Europe, and taxes are used to fund the healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Sweden, since the public health system is so comprehensive, many citizens do not consider <\/span><b>private insurance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be necessary. The index of native Swedes who use private insurance instead of public insurance is less than <\/span><b>10%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone in Sweden is insured by Sweden&#8217;s healthcare system, whether they are citizens or foreigners. Expats must first <\/span><b>register <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as Swedish residents in order to access Sweden&#8217;s healthcare system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need to purchase private health insurance if you do not register. Even while private health insurance is more expensive than accessing the public system, there are certain advantages, such as reduced wait times and a wide range of practitioners to choose from when seeking a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How To Find a Place to Stay in Sweden?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding accommodation in Sweden is a <\/span><b>complicated <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">process. In Sweden, it might be difficult to find housing. Renters who interact directly with the apartment&#8217;s owner are considered to have a <\/span><b>first-hand lease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Obtaining a lease from the first renter is referred to as a <\/span><b>second-hand lease.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most second-hand leases are only valid for <\/span><b>one year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, following which the original renter returns or the landlord relist the apartment on the market. Many people in Sweden, both citizens, and foreigners, find they have to move every year due to second-hand leases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreigners intending to stay in Sweden for an extended period might consider buying a house to avoid the complications of first and second-hand leases. That way, expats probably won\u2019t encounter many obstacles when trying to buy a home in Sweden as a foreigner.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things to Know Before Moving to Sweden<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before moving to Sweden, obtaining information about its characteristics and specific aspects is essential. This will simplify the process of integration with the country and its people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people consider Swedes among the best speakers of <\/span><b>English <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as a second language. As a result, learning Swedish may take far longer for you. You can communicate more easily with the government, including the Tax Agency if you know some Swedish.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u2019&#8217;Swedish for newcomers\u201d (SFI) courses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are often the initial step in learning both spoken and written Swedish. Swedish language proficiency can be greatly enhanced with SFI training. You must contact your local municipality as the courses are provided through each municipality&#8217;s adult continuing education program.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweden requires full-time employees to take at least <\/span><b>25<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> days of <\/span><b>paid vacation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> each year, and many do that in <\/span><b>July<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is traditionally the warmest month overall. Consequently, service will generally be delayed, and many small enterprises will shut down for the entire month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to its geographical location, Sweden frequently experiences <\/span><b>chilly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>dark winters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There may be as little as three hours of sunlight each day in some northern regions of the country above the Arctic Circle during the depths of winter.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweden values <\/span><b>punctuality<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here, it is accepted practice always to respect &#8220;time,&#8221; whether you are attending a friendly gathering or an official appointment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros &amp; Cons of Moving to Sweden<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Affordable public transportation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Sweden, having access to <\/span><b>affordable <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public transportation<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is considered a <\/span><b>human right<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sweden offers a complex system of reasonably priced and <\/span><b>reliable <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public transportation, with options ranging from the <\/span><b>metro <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Stockholm and the renowned <\/span><b>trams <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Gothenburg to rural <\/span><b>buses <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that can go to even the most remote locations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The metro, <\/span><b>commuter trains<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, railroad, tram stations, buses, and even <\/span><b>boats <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are all accessible with a single <\/span><b>transportation card<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that is available to purchase. It should be noted that the Stockholm Metro is the most convenient form of transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmentally friendly<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1967<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Sweden became the first country to pass an <\/span><b>environmental protection law<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You will note tap water tastes great, and the air seems clean, even in the larger Swedish cities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With more policies intended to protect the environment than most other EU countries, Sweden is proud of its clean air and water and takes great care to keep it that way. <\/span><b>Recycling <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is another common practice that is followed while living in Sweden.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unwritten social rules<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being respectful of one another&#8217;s <\/span><b>personal space<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Swedes maintain their distance from one another naturally, which contributes to the very distant nature of Swedish culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore,\u00a0 Swedish society places a high value on <\/span><b>gender equality<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Therefore,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0if you run around the car to open a woman&#8217;s door or perform any other comparable acts of gallantry, she might take offense. The purity of the line order and lining up for things are other strangely important concepts to Swedes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expensive Consumer Products<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Sweden has established a policy of <\/span><b>high taxation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on consumer goods that may harm public health, goods like <\/span><b>cigarettes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>alcohol, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>meat <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are subject to greater taxes than other goods, making them relatively expensive compared to other European countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your future plans involve moving to Sweden and sharing all the advantages associated with living in this country, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/relocation-services\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMovingTo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will <\/span><b>comprehensively ease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your tension throughout the relocation. Our experienced team of professionals in the international moving industry will assist you in adjusting smoothly to your new environment.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sweden is in the top spot of the countries that are the best choice for expats to move in. Regarding the quality of life and economic stability, Sweden offers plenty of job opportunities. Excellent public services and a great environment with kind people are just a small list of advantages, as Sweden has the potential [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":322,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/74\/revisions\/322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}