Life in Sweden

What are the biggest challenges of moving to Sweden?

Relocate to Sweden 2025-03-22

Sweden boasts stunning natural beauty and tops international rankings across a range of key metrics such as quality of life and gender equality. However, moving here is not without its…

Take 4 for $400 000

Relocate to Sweden 2025-01-31

What will $400 000 buy in Sweden? Are you considering buying a house in Sweden? Here’s a quick guide to how far your budget will stretch, based on the latest prices…

Happy Halloween

Relocate to Sweden 2024-10-31

Photo:The Woodland Cemetery ,Stockholm by Cecilia Larsson Lantz/Imagebank.sweden.se Here are three tips for this Halloween Weekend in Sweden: 1. Shockholm Europe’s largest Halloween Parade Creative Festival, held annually in Stockholm.…

More Good News From The Swedish Migration Agency

Relocate to Sweden 2024-05-16

A new pilot scheme has been launched to speed up passport control checks for employees and students applying for residence permits for studies and work. A Digital Passport Check e-service…

Onboarding Guide for Swedish Work Culture

Relocate to Sweden 2024-05-07

With the Ascension Thursday holiday weekend approaching, help your international colleagues understand Swedish commitment to work-life balance, holidays and the concept of Squeeze Days (klämdagar). Optimizing and scheduling around Swedish…

Happy Walpurgis Night and May Day

Relocate to Sweden 2024-04-29

Valborgsmässoafton or simply “Valborg” (Walpurgis Night in English) is part of the Swedish cultural events calendar and is celebrated on the last day of April, followed by the public holiday…

Tips for Celebrating Easter In Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2024-03-27

Easter is a wonderful time in Sweden and in many ways the easiest of annual celebrations;  The focus is on relaxation and food and there isn’t a long list of…

Proposed Changes For Work Permits for Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2024-02-16

Here are the key announcements made yesterday at a press conference to present the findings of the Swedish Government’s enquiry on changes to labour immigration. Changes are proposed to take…

Happy Fat Tuesday

Relocate to Sweden 2024-02-13

Image Credit: Lola Akinmade Åkerström/imagebank.sweden.se Today, 13. February 2024, is Fat Tuesday aka Fettisdagen in Swedish, or Shrove Tuesday in English. This is the day before the start of Lent,…

Good News from the Swedish Migration Agency

Relocate to Sweden 2024-02-12

A new system was implemented at the Swedish Migration Agency on 29th of January 2024 to support highly qualified business immigration. Faster work permit processing times for highly qualified professionals…

Swedish Migration Agency Update

Relocate to Sweden 2024-01-30

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has updated its application system for work permits for Sweden. Certified system withdrawn The certified system, also known as the fast-track application system, has been…

Christmas in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2023-12-21

Photo: Hans Strand, imagebank.sweden.se Wondering how Christmas is celebrated in Sweden? The following guide from Sweden’s official website encapsulates  the whole season, including the run-up to Christmas, celebrations, food and…

New work permit rules from November 2023

Relocate to Sweden 2023-10-27

The Swedish Government has raised the maintenance requirement for people applying for a work permit in Sweden. New rules will apply from 1 November 2023. Changes are also planned for…

Is it a good time to buy a home in Sweden?

Relocate to Sweden 2023-09-26

Credits: Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se Are you moving to Sweden and considering buying a property? After a period of 25 years of almost unwavering growth, the property market has finally turned, offering…

Fast-track work permits still available

Relocate to Sweden 2023-08-21

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) is still accepting fast-track work permits for your international recruits under their certified system. The current certified system is set to be removed by the…

Experience Swedish Culture This Summer

Relocate to Sweden 2023-07-10

Every summer, Park Theatre (Parkteatern) in Stockholm offers concerts, dance and theater on outdoor stages in parks and green spaces around the city. These events are completely free and no…

7 things that people who successfully relocate to Sweden do differently

Relocate to Sweden 2023-03-13

Photo Credit: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se Relocating is always challenging. Finding a place to call home, dealing with bureaucracy and adjusting to a new country, all while trying to master a new…

The perfect onboarding book for Swedish work culture

Relocate to Sweden 2022-11-30

Essential reading for anyone new to Swedish work culture, Working in Sweden: The A-Z Guide is a practical, light and fun read. The guide covers all the important information you…

Relocation Checklist

Relocate to Sweden 2022-09-08

Successfully relocating staff or hiring internationally is a complicated and time consuming process that requires investment.  But this investment is nothing like the amount it will cost your company if…

The Essential Guide to Midsummer Celebrations in Stockholm

Relocate to Sweden 2022-06-23

New in Stockholm and wondering where you can experience traditional midsummer celebrations? Look no further. We’ve put together a guide to over 40 different Midsummer events, as well as essential…

How much can you save by commuting in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2022-04-28

Cheaper housing is available in Stockholm for those willing to commute. As in most cities, a thumb rule is that the further you are prepared to travel, the more you…

10 lessons in Swedish Culture from Padel

Relocate to Sweden 2021-06-30

Learning can come from unexpected places. Padel, Sweden’s new national sports passion and fastest growing sport, offers valuable insights into Swedish culture and even more importantly, the chance to meet…

Record increase in Swedish house prices

Relocate to Sweden 2021-05-04

Photo credit: Patrik Svedberg/imagebank.sweden.se Property price increases in Sweden in the past year have been extraordinary, fueled largely by the pandemic and remote working. The race for space caused by…

Sweden’s fastest growing and trendiest sport – Padel

Relocate to Sweden 2021-04-09

Photo: Globen Padel Moving to Sweden and keen to try out some typically Swedish sports? There’s no longer any need to risk strapping yourself into skis or skates for cross-country…

Essential Guide to Easter in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2021-03-31

Photo: Jenny Drakenlind/Johnér/imagebank.sweden.se First time in Sweden for Easter and unsure of how it’s celebrated? Or maybe you’ve colleagues or friends who have recently moved here? This guide provides useful…

20 Essential Apps for your International Recruits in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2020-10-19

Moving to a new country is always challenging. Some useful apps can go a long way towards helping your international recruits find their bearings in their new Swedish hometown. We’ve…

New edition of Working in Sweden : The A-Z Guide

Relocate to Sweden 2020-09-11

Essential reading for anyone new to Swedish work culture and a great welcome present for recently arrived international colleagues. This practical, light and fun read covers all the important stuff…

Need help with accommodation for your staff?

Relocate to Sweden 2020-05-08

It’s not surprising if you do. Finding accommodation in Stockholm and major Swedish cities has never been more challenging.

10 Lessons in Swedish Culture and Values from the Coronavirus Crisis

Relocate to Sweden 2020-04-21

Sweden has been making international headlines again, this time for its approach to managing the coronavirus pandemic. Global reaction has largely focused on consternation about the decision to abstain from…

Best websites about the Coronavirus in Sweden in English

Relocate to Sweden 2020-03-20

We hope you are keeping well and remaining symptom-free in these worrying times. If you are currently in Sweden or considering moving here, you may be struggling to find answers…

Sweden top ranked for brain-jobs

Relocate to Sweden 2020-02-20

Sweden ranks second out of 31 European countries for knowledge-intensive jobs and the city of Stockholm distinguishes itself even more impressively; Stockholm is ranked third out of 278 European regions,…

The Best Swedish Christmas Markets 2019

Relocate to Sweden 2019-12-05

As the days get shorter and darker, a visit to a Christmas market can be just the ticket to lift your mood and ease you into the festive spirit.

Surviving November and your First Stockholm Winter

Relocate to Sweden 2019-11-14

The darkest time of the year will soon be upon us. If you moved to Sweden recently, brace yourself – you’re probably in for a bit of a shock.

Is it worth buying property in Sweden for a shorter period?

Relocate to Sweden 2019-10-03

Are you moving to Sweden or currently renting here and considering buying property instead? Perhaps you are wondering if it might be cheaper to buy an apartment or house even…

Take 4 for $250 000

Relocate to Sweden 2019-08-23

What will 250 000 USD buy in Sweden? Thinking of moving to Sweden and considering buying a home? We’re starting a new series of articles to illustrate how far your…

In Search of the Best Swedish Chokladbollar

Relocate to Sweden 2019-07-02

For one chocolate lover and Scandiphile, Alaine Handa, it was “love at first bite” when she tried her first chokladboll (chocolate ball). 

7 things that people who successfully relocate to Sweden do differently

Relocate to Sweden 2019-05-28

Finding a place to call home, dealing with bureaucracy and coming to terms with a new country, all while trying to master a new job in Sweden – relocating is…

Is Stockholm Expensive? A Cost of Living Guide

Relocate to Sweden 2019-05-24

Sweden has a reputation for being expensive, but living here is more affordable than you might think.

Understanding Swedishness

Relocate to Sweden 2019-05-15

Great video. Not so funny, however, when you’re new in Sweden and trying to make a good impression at work but can’t seem to crack the social codes and unwritten…

Webinar: Working with the Swedish

Relocate to Sweden 2019-04-25

Learn more about the Swedish mindset and unwritten rules of Swedish work culture in this webinar hosted by The London School of International Communication.

Sweden ranked 7th in World Happiness Report

Relocate to Sweden 2019-04-16

Nordic countries came out on top again in The United Nations ranking of 156 countries, published in March 2019.

5 reasons why Sweden is the world’s best country for working women

Relocate to Sweden 2019-03-08

In celebration of International Women’s Day, it’s worth taking note of five major ways that Swedish policy and legislation support women in the workplace.

Insights into the Swedish mindset & business culture

Relocate to Sweden 2019-02-27

Last week we were invited to guest lecture at Karolinska Institutet on ”Surviving and Thriving at Work in Sweden”, part of our intercultural training series to help internationals fast forward…

Your Sweden Relocation Mentor

Relocate to Sweden 2019-01-22

Moving to a new country is always challenging. Your default relocation adviser Professor Google doesn’t always deliver, especially if you are not sure what to search for or if the…

How to make the most of the Swedish calendar 2019

Relocate to Sweden 2019-01-11

The newbie guide to optimizing your holiday calendar, Swedish celebrations and red flags for scheduling meetings. Essential reading for anyone new to Sweden or working with Swedes.

Christmas Season in Sweden – Saint Lucia Day

Relocate to Sweden 2018-12-12

The feast of Saint Lucia is one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden and a highlight of the Christmas season.

The perfect gift for your international colleagues

Relocate to Sweden 2018-11-28

This newly published book helps your international colleagues smoothly navigate Swedish business culture by explaining what they need to know and what they can expect at Swedish workplaces.

Featured in The Irish Times

Relocate to Sweden 2018-08-14

’Working in Sweden, The A-Z Guide’ is featured in The Irish Times and was the newspaper’s ’most read article’ on the date of publication, 13th August 2018.

Our Guide to Swedish Work Culture Featured on TV4

Relocate to Sweden 2018-08-06

If you missed the coverage of our new book ”Working in Sweden – The A-Z Guide” on the morning news on TV4 on Friday, here is a chance to see…

Working in Sweden – The A-Z Guide

Relocate to Sweden 2018-06-07

Are you new in Sweden or considering moving to this Nordic country? This practical guide is designed to help you smoothly navigate working life in Sweden. It’s the book that…

Wondering what Swedish houses look like?

Relocate to Sweden 2018-05-24

Check out this BBC relocation program which follows a British couple moving to Stockholm and features houses in four different suburbs; Boo, Norra Langö, Spånga & Täby.

Your guide to maximizing Swedish holidays 2018

Relocate to Sweden 2018-01-16

Welcome to holiday paradise! If you have recently moved to Sweden, you are probably aware that full time employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave. Many employers offer even…

Even Santa has setbacks

Relocate to Sweden 2017-12-20

Feeling a little frazzled in the pre-Christmas rush? Take heart…it happens to the best of us. Spare a thought for Santa this Christmas. It’s been a tough year for him…

Looking for an address to impress in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-12-11

A guide to the most expensive addresses in Stockholm Considering buying or renting in Sweden’s capital and want to make a splash? Here is a guide to the most expensive…

Need a Swedish teacher?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-11-21

Have you moved to Sweden recently or are you planning to do so? Perhaps you’ve been here for some time and are struggling with the language; The honeymoon period is…

What is the average house price in Stockholm & Sweden?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-10-17

Wondering about relocating to Sweden or perhaps you’ve already moved and are considering taking your first step on the Swedish property market? This article gives you all the latest figures…

5 Essential dates for your Swedish fika calendar

Relocate to Sweden 2017-10-05

If you’ve a sweeth tooth, you’ve come to the right country. To “fika” (pronounced fee-kah) is one of the first words you will learn in Sweden. It means “to have…

How to find home help or skilled craftspeople in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-10-03

The internet is flooded with the news of IKEA’s purchase of startup TaskRabbit, an on-demand platform for hiring people to do everything from build furniture to stand in line for you…

The painful mistake made by 90% of new hires to Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-08-22

You’ve got a great new job in Sweden, cracked open the champagne and called your mum. Next on the list is to update your Facebook & Instagram status and check…

New in Sweden and interested in getting a mortgage?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-08-17

Recently moved to Sweden and considering buying property? Faced with one of the world’s most challenging rental markets, it’s not surprising that anyone with resources quickly considers buying a home…

Relocating your pet to Sweden?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-08-14

Are you moving to Sweden and interested in learning about the requirements for pet transport and importation?

What is the average price of renting an apartment in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-08-11

Rents in Stockholm continue to soar following the relaxation of controls over how much landlords can charge for sublets.

100 Free Places to Stay in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-07-27

Sweden’s possibly best kept secret has been revealed. Over 100 free cabins and cottages dotted around the Swedish countryside have now been mapped in one handy guide. This accommodation is…

Stockholm Midsummer Guide 2017: 24 places to join in the celebrations

Relocate to Sweden 2017-06-21

New in Stockholm and wondering where you can experience traditional midsummer celebrations? Look no further. We’ve put together a guide to 24 different Midsummer events in Stockholm, nearly all of…

10 things I’ve learned working in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-04-20

Almost two decades of living and working in Sweden have taught me some valuable lessons about working in Sweden and with Swedes, insight I share with other expats moving to…

Property tips in Sweden: #1 How to find out the sold price?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-04-03

Finding a place to live is usually the toughest challenge faced by anyone moving to Sweden with work. Unfortunately for newbies, the property market in major Swedish cities has never…

Sweden ranked among the top 10 happiest countries in the world

Relocate to Sweden 2017-03-21

The World Happiness Report 2017, which ranks 155 countries by their happiness levels, was launched yesterday at the United Nations. The report was published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an international…

Your complete guide to Swedish parking signs (and avoiding eye-watering fines)

Relocate to Sweden 2017-03-14

Although Swedes are usually great at English, parking signs are in Swedish or sometimes just unfamiliar and there’s rarely someone around to ask when you need help.  If you take…

Semla season has started

Relocate to Sweden 2017-02-27

If you’re already living in Sweden, you’re bound to recognise this delicacy, a Swedish Semla. Even if you’ve somehow managed to miss the advertising, this is bound to be one…

Attention non-Swedes – Beware of Week 9!

Relocate to Sweden 2017-02-23

Everyone knows that there are 52 or 53 weeks in a calendar year. These weeks are divided into days and dates. You can ask nearly anyone “What’s today’s date?” and…

Cracking the code to Scandinavia

Relocate to Sweden 2017-02-16

We were delighted to welcome Julien Bourrelle to Stockholm yesterday as key speaker at “Working with multi-national teams – How to help your foreign hires navigate Swedish Business Culture”. The…

Looking for the hottest restaurants and bars in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-02-13

Your search is over. Here are the nominations and winners of the prestigious  ”Gulddraken” (Gold Dragon) Awards 2017. These highly coveted awards are sponsored by Dagens Nyheter, Sweden’s leading morning newspaper, which…

Your personal guide to life in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-01-25

Moving to a new country is always challenging. When everything is unfamiliar or things aren’t turning out like you expected, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Staying out of trouble in Sweden – 12 laws you should know about

Relocate to Sweden 2017-01-20

There’s nothing like an expensive fine or sharp reprimand to sour your first impressions of your new host country. But you don’t know what you just don’t know. What seems…

A guide to importing your car to Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2017-01-13

Moving to Sweden? Perhaps you are considering bringing your car with you. But is it worth it and what is required? We’ve put together a guide which outlines the steps…

How long does it take to get a work permit for Sweden?

Relocate to Sweden 2017-01-10

You’ve found your dream candidate to fill an essential new role. Congratulations! The only snag is that he/she comes from outside the EU and needs a work permit. But how…

Who stole the window shutters? – A French story

Relocate to Sweden 2016-12-21

Let me start with a riddle: You can open and shut them. You can crank or hoist them up and down. They’re usually outdoors. They can be made of wood…

Coping with Culture Shock in Sweden – a Scot’s tale

Relocate to Sweden 2016-12-08

I arrived in Sweden on the 11th January 2015. I was 7 months pregnant, I’d never lived in Sweden and certainly didn’t speak any Swedish. It was dark, snowing and…

7 things I wish I’d known about parental leave in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-12-04

Parental leave is Sweden is amongst the most generous is the world. The system and rules, however, are rather complicated. Based on my own experience of moving to Sweden, here’s…

The Essential Swedish Calendar Guide

Relocate to Sweden 2016-11-17

What are the Swedish public holidays and what are the other important dates and occasions in Sweden that you should know about when you move here? We’ve put together a…

What is the average price of an apartment in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2016-11-09

The property market in Stockholm continues to be red hot with an increase of 4% for apartment prices in the municipality of Stockholm over the 12 months between October 2015…

How to be the perfect guest in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-11-03

You’ve got your first invitation to a Swedish home. Congratulations! But what’s expected of you as a guest and are there any do’s and don’ts that you should be aware…

Halloween – my first time trick-or-treating in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-10-28

My daughter turned four in 2002 and as Halloween approached, I thought it was high time for her to make her trick-or-treating debut. Halloween is a major event in Ireland,…

Checklist for getting a Swedish work permit for your international employees

Relocate to Sweden 2016-10-06

Are you recruiting internationally or transferring an employee who is a non EU-national to Sweden? In most cases this person will need a work permit. We’ve put together an overview…

Drinking in Sweden – a French Story

Relocate to Sweden 2016-09-22

One of the unique aspects of life in Sweden is the monopoly system for the sale of wine and spirits. Systembolaget is a government owned chain of liquor stores that sells wine,…

Swedish Business Etiquette – 10 essential tips for your international colleagues

Relocate to Sweden 2016-09-14

Every country has its own set of business etiquette rules and Swedes also have their own way of doing things. Here’s a list of helpful tips for anyone who’s moving…

How well does Sweden really compare with other countries?

Relocate to Sweden 2016-09-08

How’s life in Sweden? Sweden performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries, according to hard data from the OECD, as presented in their Better Life Index.…

Parental leave in Sweden – a French story

Relocate to Sweden 2016-09-01

My brother came to visit me a few months after I moved to Sweden. It was early summer and Stockholm was starting to come into blossom. Cafés were spilling out onto pavements,…

3 great ways to meet expats in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-31

There is a thriving international community in Stockholm and meeting other expats has never been easier with a host of specialist websites and communities to choose from. We recommend you…

Just how international is Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-23

As the capital of Scandinavia, Stockholm is pretty international; 197 nationalities international to be precise, which means that just about every nationality in the world is represented in this city.…

Measuring up in Sweden – 7 figures you need to know

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-22

Swedes like to get the measure of things and quantification seems to be in their DNA. When hiring skis, I was always amazed that whoever was working behind the ski…

What is the average price of a house in Stockholm?

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-12

Property prices for houses in Stockholm continue to rise with an enormous 14% increase in the past year alone. The average price of a house in Stockholm is now just under…

20 fun things to do in Stockholm with kids

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-09

Stockholm offers a huge range of activities for children of all ages. Whatever their interests, there is plenty to entertain – The only real limitation is your wallet.

How to get a job in Sweden – A French story

Relocate to Sweden 2016-08-04

“En öl tack” (a beer please) and counting to 10 was the sum total of my Swedish vocabulary when I moved from France to Sweden at the age of 26.

10 great outdoor bars in Stockholm this summer

Relocate to Sweden 2016-07-27

Looking for somewhere to hang out this summer? Whether you’re interested in cocktails in sophisticated surroundings or something a little more casual, there are plenty of bars, beer gardens and…

10 things to practise before moving to Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-07-20

Planning on moving to Sweden sometime soon? Congratulations – it’s a beautiful country with one of the world’s highest standards of living. Swedes also have their own way of doing…

A Norwegian’s view on living and working in Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-06-21

I moved to Sweden 20 years ago on what was supposed to be an 18 month contract with Mobil Oil. But you know how life can go – young and…

10 things you should buy when moving to Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-06-14

Sweden is a beautiful country and offers an enormous range of winter and summer amenities and activities. The country also has a rather extreme climate and Swedes have their own…

SFI – a great introduction to Swedish

Relocate to Sweden 2016-05-28

If you’re interested in learning Swedish, make SFI your first port of call.

10 Swedish working benefits that will delight your international recruits

Relocate to Sweden 2016-05-25

It’s easy and normal to take benefits for granted when you are used to them. However, many of the work benefits which Swedish employees enjoy are unheard of in other…

How to get on with your Swedish neighbours (Part 1)

Relocate to Sweden 2016-05-25

It might seem like an odd subject to start with but my first blog post in this series is about laundry rooms, which are probably the most common causes of…

Check list for relocating staff to Sweden

Relocate to Sweden 2016-05-24

Successfully relocating staff is a complicated and time consuming process. As time is money, it also requires an investment. But the investment required is nothing like the amount it will…