Removals to Sweden

Why Move to Sweden?

Whether it be stargazing across the cloud-free skies at the Northern lights or enjoying the social tradition of Fika (coffee & cake), Swedish culture and life extends well beyond just meatballs and Ikea flat pack furniture.

Sweden is a progressive and forward thinking nation with excellent job prospects. It frequently scores high on indexes for quality of life and gender equality, making it an attractive destination for British expats.

An outdoors lifestyle is also part of the appeal. ‘Allemansrätten’, known as the right of public access, gives everyone the right to enjoy Sweden’s outdoors and roam freely – even on private land – and is actually written into the constitution.

Sweden has a reputation for being expensive and on average, consumer items and groceries are dearer than in the UK.

Renting is not cheap in Sweden and prices for buying property are even higher. Although, in most cases, not all, salaries are competitive, creating an overall cost of living balance.

Working & living in Sweden

England is no longer part of the European Union, as such, immigrations laws have changed.

UK citizens must now obtain the appropriate permissions.

There are a number of visas and permits to suit different circumstances.

To find out which will apply to you,

The Swedish Embassy has all the information you need in order to apply for the correct visa/permit.

The Swedish labour market always needs skilled people, particularly in the ICT and engineering sectors.

Wages are competitive and holiday allowances are generous.

Swedes have a reputation for not being afraid to do things differently and recently conducted a two-year trial of 6 hour working days. As such you can expect a calmer, more measured approach to life in Sweden.

Taxes to subsidize generous policies like parental leave are quite high, but as a result it is widely considered to be a pretty good place to be a parent.

Employers are required to offer 16 months of paid parental leave per child, with your job available when you return and sick leave benefit.

Such policies have led to the rise in so-called ‘latte dads’ as more men are encouraged to take time off.

Property

At first glance the housing market in Sweden can appear to be quite competitive and it is often relatively difficult to find adequate housing whether you are renting or buying.

Sweden also has one of the lowest house building rates in Europe, making it a more expensive place on average to purchase a property than the UK.

However, it might actually be more affordable than it seems at first glance when you take into account the fact that mortgage rates are lower and wage packets are generally larger.

Living in a big city like Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, as opposed to a smaller city such as Halmstad, is also likely to have a significant impact on the cost of property.

For more information on purchasing a property in Sweden and for property listings see: https://scandification.com/buying-a-house-in-sweden-how-to-buy-a-house-in-sweden/

Currency Conversion

The official currency in Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). Most credit and debit cards are accepted in Sweden and ATMs can easily be found across the country.

There is a good selection of local and international banks and opening a bank account is a simple and straightforward process.

Travel

Public transport is used frequently in Sweden and is an affordable option.

There are various types of transport available and tram networks operate in many of the main cities.

High speed train networks and an extensive array of ferries can take you to neighbouring Scandinavian countries and beyond.

If you are bringing your car with you check to see whether you can use your current licence or if you’ll need a new one.

It is also good practice to familiarise yourself with Swedish road rules, signs and parking regulations. Visit the RAC website, they provide everything you need to know about driving in Sweden.