Live in Sweden
Sweden is a fantastic place to live. It is a structured society, peaceful, safe, and above all, has amazing life benefits for family and future.
Having lived in Sweden since 2011, I can say that getting set up or situated here did not come with directions. I have compiled a list of what you need to do if you are interested in moving to Sweden. The following are the order of events that need to take place. My blog has documented my struggles with obtaining this stuff…because literally moving to Sweden doesn’t come with a handbook.
Get a residence/work permit
Makes sense. You need to legally be able to live and work here. Sweden doesn’t take too kindly to under-the-table work. It is a rule based society, unlike some of Europe’s southern countries. You can find all resources for what type of visa you need at Migrationsverket. I also have a list of Swedish visas that Americans are eligible for.
My visa is under ‘moving to someone in Sweden’ or a Sambo visa, because I am in a serious relationship with a Swedish citizen.
Get a personnummer (personal tax number)
As a foreigner, you need a tax number. When you receive your decision for your visa, it’s important to go to Skatteverket (tax agency) in person, and apply for the personnummer. This will be the key to unlock pretty much every opportunity in Sweden.
Get an ID card
After you receive your personummer, you need to apply for your Swedish ID card from Skatteverket (tax office). This ID card is important for pretty much everything you do, like opening a bank account. You can learn about it, and apply here.
Get a Bank Account
This is very annoying. First of all, be prepared for them to ask for proof of where you have gotten every penny. You can read about my struggles here. Some things to understand when selecting which bank to put your money in, is that all of them will 100% ask you where you got the money you want to transfer into their bank. So, you will need proof of any cash or foreign transaction fees (they want to make sure you have paid taxes on it, or you’re not a mafia kingpin).
I was rejected at first by Nordea and Swedbank because I did not have a job, which is something they needed despite me having cash in hand. So I lived off cash in a cashless society for my first 2 months until I got my first job.
Enroll in Försäkringskassan (Swedish Insurance Agency)
Technically, you have enrolled automatically in the country’s healthcare if you have a personal tax number. However, there are some things you need to enroll for, like discounts on dentists. The whole site is all in Swedish, but I just called them to ask how do I enroll myself. You can find their website here: https://www.forsakringskassan.se
Get a Permanent Residence Card (PUT)
The Permanent Residence Card comes a couple years later after you have been in Sweden and are eligible for a permanent residence card. It means that as long as you are in Sweden, you will not lose the visa. Learn more.
Swedish Citizenship
When you have had your permanent Residence Card (PUT) for 3-5 years (depending on your reason for being in Sweden), then you will be eligible for becoming a citizen. Most expats need to be fully living and integrated into Sweden for 3-5 years before being eligible to apply for citizenship. More on that process here.
Top Posts about life in Sweden ↡
Renting an Apartment in Stockholm
Opening a Swedish Bank Account
How to File an FBAR for Americans Abroad (filing taxes)
5 Weird Things I Learned about Sweden in 5 Years
Thanksgiving Abroad: A Nightmare
Vanessa
May 25, 2020Hi Lindsey, how’s it going? I’M Vanessa and I’m very glad to read your blog. I’m in a really tricky situation. I tell you the story, I’m in process of sambo visa (we sent our papers in January 2020) and now, I got a possibility of job with work permit(is not the job of my dreams).
I know the Sambo visa take long time (would be lovely if you can let me know how much time took to you get it) So, the thing is I don’t know which one of the visas choose, because is impossible has that two visas in process.
I’m not sure about the pros and cons of this both.
Do you think you can give me and advice??
Thanks in advance, Vanessa
Lindsey
July 7, 2020Hey lady! Sorry for this late reply. It was buried! Sambo visa is your best bet! Work visas are based on your current job – so every time you get a new title or switch jobs, they need to re-do your work visa. AND if you get fired (because hey, things are happening during COVID), then you have like 2-3 months to find a new job or else you need to leave. But when it’s a Sambo visa, you can stay regardless.
For me to get the Sambo, it took 2 months..then I get denied for a stupid reason…then an appeal…and then 4 months after that I got the Sambo. Took maybe 6 months total I think. You can read about it here: Sweden, I’m Legally Yours!
Alaine
August 17, 2019What kind of proof did you have to give for where funds come from when opening a bank account? I.e. what if it’s money saved up, previous employment, and sales from products?
Lindsey
August 17, 2019Hey Alaine! Good question. I actually had some cash in Euros that I literally could not prove where it came from (another story!). Therefore, they did not accept it. So a tip is never brought personal checks or large amounts of cash to Sweden! 😂 Personal checks will not be accepted and the bank will only accept cash deposits to some extent. Also, banks are reluctant to accept foreign currency. So with deposits more than 10,000 sek (around €1,000) they will ask more a receipt of where it came from. With direct money transfers from your foreign bank, it is an easier process. You can call some banks and ask their procedures. The biggest ones are SEB, Nordea, Swedbank, Handelsbanken
Latifah
May 31, 2018Hi Lindsey..Thank you so much for your reply .I will call them and ask how the procedure is.Have a nice to you.
Latifah
May 30, 2018Hi Lindsey ,
I’m Latifah..i have msg you last year on August regarding SOMBO VISA AND I did apply through online on 8th January 2018 and paid.Until now they haven’t contact me for interview .After I check with my boyfriend..he is the one who miss out the online form that his suppose to fill up and send to migrationsverket.I read on the migrationsverket web site said if they not receive the online from from him within two weeks the application automatically refused.
What should I do?should I email them and explain the situation.I already have the control number and when I check my application said still PENDING.
Really need your advice on this issues .
Thank you in advance.
Lindsey
May 30, 2018Hey Latifah, I remember you 😊 Migrationsverket is extremely strict on rules, and right now their time to a decision is about 14-19 months due to all the applications the are processing (you can see this on their website: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Contact-us/Time-to-a-decision.html). Your case might not have even been assigned a case worker to look at it due to this waiting time, and you only applying 5 months ago, which is why it just says the status as pending. I suggest you try calling Migrationsverket to see if you can speak with someone about what you should do. Chances are you might have to re-apply if your boyfriend missed the form.