Living and Working in Sweden Lena Westling Seljee Eures Adviser Göteborg lena.westling-seljee@arbetsformedlingen.se Senast uppdaterad 2008-08-29

Facts About Sweden Sweden is the third largest country in EU 25 and has 96 000 km coastline. 9,25 million inhabitants, 85% live in the southern parts. Sweden has been a member of EU since 1995. Currency: Swedish Crown (SEK) 9.54 SEK = 1 € (sep 2009), 1 SEK = 25 HUF www.sweden.se The region Mälardalen around Stockholm has 2.6 million inhabitants. The official site is www.sweden.se and there you find facts, articles and short films about Sweden. The site is available in several languages.

Kiruna 21 Counties Umeå 20 inhabitants / km2 Stockholm 290 Municipalities The distance from north to south, is the same distance as from Malmö to Florence, Italy. Sweden is far from crowded. Statistically there are 20 inhabitants per square kilometre. And only 1 inhabitant per square kilometre in the northern Sweden. So we have a lot of space and nature. A lot of lakes, rivers, mountains and forests. The nature and climate differs a lot in the south compared to the north. Average temperatures Malmö, January -0.2°C, July +16.8°C Stockholm, January -2.8°C, July +17.2°C Kiruna, January -16.0°C, July +12.8°C Daylight Malmö, January 7 hours, July 17 hours Stockholm, January 6 hours, July 18 hours Kiruna, January 0 hours, July 24 hours Göteborg Malmö Ystad

Right to work in Sweden Citizens Residence right card Residence permit Work permit Nordic - EU/EEA* X Family members (X) Swiss Non-EU, long-term resident Non-EU Nordic citizens are free to work and live in Sweden without any permits. The only thing needed is a “Internordiskt flyttbevis”. Citizens within EU/EEA need to register their right of residence within three months of arrival. Family members to a EU/EEA citizen need a residence card… Swiss citizens and non-EU citizens who have the status long term resident in a EU/EEA country, need a residence permit. Non-EU citizens need to apply for a work permit before coming to Sweden. Information is given by the Swedish embassy in the respective countries. And the information can also be found in several languages on the homepage of the Swedish Migration board, www.migrationsverket.se * workers, self-employed, students, ”sufficient funds”

Language skills In Sweden we speak Swedish The Scandinavian languages are similar – Swedish, Norwegian and Danish English skills are important in many professions Language skills in labour shortages and surpluses Our official language is Swedish. There are also a few recognized minority languages: Sami (Lapp), Finnish, Meänkieli (Tornedalen Finnish), Yiddish and Romani Chib The Scandinavian languages are similar, so between Swedes, Norwegians and Danes, we can more or less understand each other when we speak our mother tounge. English is important in many professions. In surpluses it is difficult to find work even though you can speak Swedish. And in some shortages it can be okay to just speak English, but it is very much up to the employer.

Working in Sweden Temporary or Permanent contracts 6 months probationary employment Full time, 40 hours per week 25 days vacation per year (right to take 4 consecutive weeks holiday in the summer) Average wage: SEK 27,500 (men) SEK 22,800 (women) No national minimum wage. Collective agreements in most occupations ensure fair wages. The most common contract is the permanent contract. It almost always starts with a probationary employment up to six months. Full time is the normal working time, but in some professions part time is common. For example in education, health care, child and elderly care. We have a minimum of 25 days vacation days per year. During the summer we have thee right to have four weeks in a row. Public officers can get up to 35 vacation days per year. Medellön i Sverige 2006 är hämtad från http://www.lo.se/home/lo/home.nsf/unidView/FE1F726482873711C12573610025D830/$file/LO_Loner2007.pdf Kollektivavtal - Dvs med undantag av en del högre tjänster – chefer, konsulter, IT mfl Dachdecker 23-26000, CNC-operatör 23-30000, LKW/PKW-Mechaniker: 22-25000, Svetsare: 23-27000, VVS-installatör: 24-26000, Elektriker: 24-27000, Fächärzte: 45-55000, Sjuksköterska: 25-30000, Maskin- och byggnadsingenjör: 28-38000, Förskollärare: 21-23000, Bagare/Konditor: 18-20000

Labour Market Statistics 78,5 % of men and 73,5 % of women aged 16-64 are in employment. Good child care facilities make this possible. Unemployment rate 7,9 % (July 2009) Statistics from the Public Employment Services (July 2008) Unemployment rate 5,4 % Subsidized employment 1,5 % Labour market programmes 2,4 % Uppdaterad med statistik från juli 2009. Statistiken hämtad från http://www.scb.se/templates/tableOrChart____23368.asp Info från SCB: Oktober 2007 ändrades den officiella arbetslöshetsdefinitionen till att inkludera heltidsstuderande som söker och kan arbeta. Även åldersindelningen ändrades från 16-64 år till 15-74 år. I ovanstående siffra redovisas dock arbetslösheten enligt den gamla definitionen samt efter åldersindelningen 16-64 år. Arbetsförmedlingens officiella statistik för samma månad visar på en arbetslöshet på 5,4%. Den inkluderar heltidsstuderande som söker arbete och arbetskraften räknas mellan 16-64 år. 1,5 % har arbete med anställningsstöd eller funktionshindrade med t ex lönebidrag. 1,3 % erhåller aktivitetsstöd Statistiken är hämtad från http://www.arbetsformedlingen.se/Go.aspx?a=80179

Labour Market Situation 2009 Unusually big increase in redundancy notices Decreased number of labour shortages Shortages of skilled professionals are expected to remain within: certain categories of Computer specialists specialists in Health care certain categories within Building and Construction some high skilled professions within Industry certain categories of Teacher professionals

Finding a Job Public Employment Services Platsbanken and Söka jobb / Länkar www.arbetsformedlingen.se EURES www.eures.europa.eu Swedish newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm Adecco www.adecco.se Lernia www.lernia.se Manpower www.manpower.se Proffice www.proffice.se Company websites On the Public Employment Services website you can search for jobs in our vacancy database, Platsbanken. Most jobs are in Swedish, but in the free text field you can search for vacancies. Write the English job title for example. On our website you also find a list of links to recruitment agencies and other jobsites. Click on Söka jobb and Länkar. Finding a job in Sweden requires an active approach. Only a small part of all vacancies are posted in a vacancy database. Search for companies and check out their website, because a lot of vacancies are published there. Swedish newspapers advertise vacancies. All Swedish newspapers are found on the link above. Use your personal network. Difficult for a non-Swede… www.dn.se www.svd.se www.metro.se www.gp.se www.jobbtorget.se http://jobb.eniro.se www.offentligajobb.se www.eniro.se

Other ways to a job Open application www.gulasidorna.se www.foretagsfakta.se CV database www.arbetsformedlingen.se (Swedish) www.eures.europa.eu Tips! På arbetsformedlingen.se under Söka jobb och Länkar finns fler tips på jobblänkar www.dn.se www.svd.se www.metro.se www.gp.se www.jobbtorget.se http://jobb.eniro.se www.offentligajobb.se www.eniro.se

Applying for Work in Sweden E-mail is frequently used and accepted. Applications should be typewritten in Swedish or English. Generally you do not enclose a photo. An application consists of: - personal letter (no more than 1 page, often less) - your CV (1-2 pages) - References (can also be given at the interview) You may be asked to present evidence of professional qualifications and diplomas later on. Recognition of foreign diplomas Do not send copies of qualifications and diplomas, if it is not expressed in the vacancy. Bring them with you to the interview. The experiences and trainings are presented in a reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.

Recognition of foreign diplomas Regulated professions – NARIC The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education www.hsv.se Health care professions www.socialstyrelsen.se NRP (Vocational education and training) www.senrp.se Hsv = the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education The electrician´s vocational training is for safety reasons much regulated. You must not work as an electrician without a Swedish certificate issued by the authority ECY (Elektrikernas Centrala Yrkesnämnd).

Public Employment Services when you are a resident in Sweden Service through: Internet www.arbetsformedlingen.se (24 hour service) by telephone via Customer Service Centres (7 day service) 0771-416 416 The Public Employment Office – “Arbetsförmedlingen” (over 300 offices) 3 service levels Services for jobseekers: Apply for jobs Improve your jobseeking prospects Employment counselling Start your own business Training and education for work Clarify your work qualifications Adapt your work situation Services for employers: Recruit new staff Pre-recruitment training

Taxes Council Tax between 26-34 %, average 31 %. State Tax + 20% of the income over 367 000 SEK + 25% of the income over 526 200 SEK Example: Less than 17 399 SEK no income tax 20 000 SEK  net income of 15 471 SEK 30 000 SEK  net income of 22 458 SEK Tax deductions includes social insurance and pension fees, but not unemployment benefits www.skatteverket.se Skatteuppgifterna är uppdaterade april 2008. After Denmark, Sweden is the country with the highest taxes. At the beginning of April, the Tax Agency will send you a tax return form. All your income statements and tax returns from previous year are already filled in. You check and agree or change and add, sign it and send it in.

Unemployment Benefits Are not a part of the Social Benefits scheme. Consist of two parts: Basic insurance (Alfakassan): For all workers after a qualifying period: No membership requirement, max 320 SEK/day Voluntary insurance: For members of an Unemployment Insurance Fund. After the qualification period, 80% of earlier income, max 680 SEK/day 300 days, 5 days per week. Tax will be deducted. www.iaf.se För att erhålla maxbeloppet från a-kassan ska man ha tjänat 20 075 SEK/månad. De första 200 ersättningsdagarna: 
80% procent av tidigare inkomst (högst 680 kronor per ersättningsdag).Ersättningsdag 201-300: 
70% procent av tidigare inkomst (högst 680 kronor per dag).Därefter: 
65 procent av tidigare inkomst (högst 680 kronor per dag), utom för föräldrar som ersätttningsdag 300 har barn under 18 år. Dessa kan fortsätta på 70 procent (högst 680 kronor per dag), t.o.m. dag 450. Sänkningen till 70 procent påverkar ersättning som baseras på en månadsinkomst under 21 371 kronor. Sänkningen till 65 procent påverkar ersättning som baseras på en inkomst under 23 015 kronor i månaden. Arbetslöshetsersättningen är skattepliktig. If you have not been a member long enough, you can receive the Alfakassa If you have not worked long enough in Sweden you MAY be able to count working periods from another EU/EEA country

Health care and sickness benefits Patient fee 100 – 300 SEK Children < 20 years free Hospital fee max. 80 SEK/day Medicine (prescriptions) max. 1 800 SEK/year Sick pay/sickness benefit 80 % of the income* 21 – 682 SEK/day First day = no pay *income < 321 000 SEK/year You will find all particulars in several foreign languages at www.forsakringskassan.se , check the Swedish Flag “välj språk” (=chose language)

Family benefits Parental benefit: 390 days with 80 % of income (max. 910 SEK/day) + 90 days with 180 SEK/day to be shared equally between both parents (apart from 60 days) + 10 days to the father of new-born baby Temporary parental benefit: 60 days per child and year You will find all particulars in several foreign languages at www.forsakringskassan.se , check the Swedish Flag “välj språk” (=chose language)

Child allowance and Child care 1 child 1 050 SEK/month 2 children 2 200 SEK/month 3 children 3 604 SEK/month 4 children 5 514 SEK/month Municipalities are obliged to provide childcare to children aged 1 -12 years. “Maxtaxa” You will find all particulars in several foreign languages at www.forsakringskassan.se , check the Swedish Flag “välj språk” (=chose language)

Educational System www.skolverket.se Universities and university colleges Age 18- Advanced vocational education (KY) Age 18- Upper secondary school Age 16-20, 3 years Compulsory school Age 7-16, 9 years www.skolverket.se Studera i Sverige Om du har en utländsk utbildning och vill studera i Sverige ska du kontakta det universitet eller den högskola du vill studera vid. Från universitetet eller högskolan får du information om deras utbildningar och hur du ansöker. Utländsk gymnasieutbildning Om du har en utländsk gymnasieutbildning och vill studera vid ett universitet eller en högskola i Sverige kan du vända dig till Verket för högskoleservice (VHS) för att få en bedömning om du har grundläggande och/eller särskild behörighet. Du behöver inte ha en bedömning från VHS för att kunna ansöka om en studieplats vid ett universitet eller en högskola. Om du ansöker utan att ha en bedömning görs bedömningen i samband med antagningen. Utländsk högskoleutbildning Om du har en utländsk högskoleutbildning och vill fortsätta studera i Sverige ska du vända dig till en studievägledare vid det universitet eller den högskola du vill studera vid för att få ett beslut om tillgodoräknande av din utländska utbildning. Läs mer om högskolestudier i Sverige på Högskoleverkets webbplats för information om högskolestudier studera.nu. Pre-school Age 1-5, volontary Pre-school class Age 6, 1 year

Accommodation Rent an apartment or house “Buy” an apartment 1 bedroom apartment, average rent 4,595 SEK/month, 68 m2 “Buy” an apartment Buy a house Accommodation costs vary greatly Lägenhetshyra: january 2007, www.scb.se It is more expensive in the bigger cities than in towns and on the country side

A Typical Swedish Work Place “Flat” organisations Team work You must be able to take initiatives and adapt to new situations. ”Du” – first name basis – informality! Gender equality Strong Trade unions Närmare 80% är medlem i ett fackförbund (SCB 2005)

Sweden and Swedes Fresh air, clean water, untouched wilderness, open space – “Right of Public Access” Personnummer! 650604-6435 “Fikapaus” Shoes off indoors “Systembolaget”

Sweden and Swedes Tend to avoid conflicts… Sweden “closes” for the summer Between April – September Swedes become sun worshippers Internet – VERY important in the Swedish society Vi undviker ofta konflikter och försöker så långt det går uppnå konsensus. I grupper och på arbetsplatser försöker man i det längsta att komma överens. Under sommaren stänger “allt”. Lite överdrivet men Sverige är ett litet land där alla arbetare har rätt till 4 sammanhängande semesterveckor. Det märks när man vill att myndigheter utför något – och försök bara få tag i en hantverkare då! Internet – mycket information från myndigheter mfl finns på Internet och man hänvisas ofta till hemsidor för mer information. Sverige är det hem-PC tätaste landet i Europa. Hänvisa till mer om Sverige och svenskarna på www.sweden.se What is your opinion about Sweden and Swedes?

Thank You for Your Attention! lena.westling-seljee@arbetsformedlingen.se Brochure: Looking for work in Sweden? www.arbetsformedlingen.se under Other languages