FAQ

To live and work in Sweden

What's it like living in East Sweden? What are the working hours? Are there any English-speaking schools? How easy is it to find somewhere to live? What are the social benefits? What leisure activities are catered for?

Basic facts about Sweden

Sweden is the fourth largest country in Europe and has a small population, 8.8 million people. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy but political power is held by parliament and the government. Sweden is both multicultural and multiethnic. The capital of Sweden is Stockholm.

Basic facts about East Sweden

East Sweden is situated two hours south of Stockholm, by car. The population is slightly less than half a million. Main cities are Linköping, Norrköping and Motala. The wooded mountains in the south and north surround the central plain. The lake Vättern, Sweden's second largest, is the natural border in the west and in the east it is marked by the beautiful archipelago on the Baltic Sea. The region offers the advantages of a big city with few of its drawbacks - clean air, fresh water, no traffic jams, plenty of parking space and good public transport.

What is 'Everyman's Right'?

In Sweden there is a tradition of public access which is a common right known as Everyman's Right (or the Swedish Right of Public Access) which entitles any person to roam freely, even on private property (excluding gardens and areas close to a dwelling house), provided that it does not disturb or cause any damage. It includes the right to swim, moor a boat temporarily, go ashore everywhere except close to dwellings or where entry has been prohibited by an authority, for instance in a bird or seal sanctuary . However, there may be certain restrictions, such as speed limits, no entry or no water-skiing. Hunting and fishing are not covered by this Right, but fishing with a rod or other hand tackle (except for salmon on the coast of Norrland) is allowed anywhere in the five largest lakes and along the coasts.

Working in Sweden

How long is the working week? By law, the working week is a maximum of 40 hours. Saturdays and Sundays are normally free.

How much holiday do I get? All employees are entitled to five weeks holiday per year.

What about security in employment? Job security in Sweden is among the highest in the world. Dismissal of an employee must be based on objective grounds.

Am I entitled to receive any sickness benefit? Yes, every registered resident is entitled to sickness benefit of 80% of the salary from day two of illness.

How does the pension system work? The employer pays a social welfare contribution including a basic pension as well as a national supplementary pension.

Are the Swedish taxes high? Individual earned income is taxed mainly by municipality of residence, at rates ranging from 26 to 35 percent. On taxable earnings over SEK 232,600, individuals pay another 20 percent and over SEK 374,000, another 5 percent.

And taxation for expatriates? There is a specific tax regime for expatriates working in Sweden. According to the proposal only 75 percent of the income will be taxed during a three-year period.

Useful links:
The Swedish Employment Service
Invest in Sweden Agency
The national Tax Board
The Migration Office