Sweden’s famous work-life balance has made more than a couple people consider moving to this Nordic country for work. Is living and working in Sweden a plausible option for you? How can a foreigner get a job in Sweden?
We’ll go through a few reasons why working in Sweden might be for you along with some real options on how to put your thoughts into action.
Why work in Sweden?
Some of the benefits that attract people to work in Sweden are the level of globalization and innovation, the focus on sustainability and equality, and the ever-elusive work-life balance.
The high level of globalization and innovation in the country leads to a dynamic business environment with a high demand for talent—including international talent. Sweden’s also a country which prioritizes sustainability, both when it comes to the environment and human rights and equality.
Finally, that famously Swedish balance between work and personal life means that you’ll have time for a life outside the office.
How to work in Sweden
If you’re not sure how to go about relocating to Sweden for work, three popular options are: a working holiday, a company transfer, or looking for work independently.
NOTE: If you’re an EU citizen, congrats! Working in Sweden will be a bit easier for you, as you have the right to live and work in Sweden and, therefore, won’t need to apply for a residence permit.
Working holiday for one year in Sweden
If you’re not sure how to go about relocating to Sweden for work, three popular options are: a working holiday, a company transfer, or looking for work independently.
NOTE: If you’re an EU citizen, congrats! Working in Sweden will be a bit easier for you, as you have the right to live and work in Sweden and, therefore, won’t need to apply for a residence permit.
Working holiday for one year in Sweden
If you’re interested in only staying in the country for a year, the working holiday Sweden offers might be for you. A one year working holiday is a program which gives young people the chance to work in Sweden for up to a year. A working holiday permit can however not be extended past the one year it’s valid for.
The term “working holiday” might sound like an oxymoron, but the aim of this program is to create an opportunity for young people to experience the Swedish lifestyle while working in Sweden. You can start job hunting right after arriving in Sweden.
However, not everyone who can apply for a working holiday. Only people who are between 18 and 30 years old can apply, and you need to be a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Uruguay
If you happen to meet those requirements, you might be eligible to apply for a working holiday residence permit.
Company transfers to the Swedish branch of your company
Another possibility is going to Sweden as part of a company transfer, in which case you’ll need an ICT permit. ICT stands for “Intra-Corporate Transfer”, and you can apply for this permit if you are:
- Employed by a company outside EU/EEA
- Going to be transferred to the Swedish branch of your company
Another requirement is that you are only eligible for the permit if you are a manager, a specialist, or a trainee.
Looking for work independently
If you don’t qualify for a working holiday or a company transfer, you are probably looking to search for a job in Sweden independently. So, how can you do that?
First of all, you might wonder: Can I move to Sweden without a job? Yes, if you’re an EU/EEA resident, you have right to reside in Sweden, and can go to Sweden even if you haven’t yet found a job. If you’re from outside the EU/EEA, you need to look for a job and secure it before applying for a work permit and before going to Sweden.
Some job portals to look for work on are The Local and Talent.com. Another helpful resource is Arbetsförmedlingen (The Swedish Public Employment Service), where you can get help if you’re having difficulties finding work in Sweden. You can also search for jobs in their job portal Platsbanken.
Of course, if you are already interested in a specific position in a Swedish company, you can also just apply directly.
Note for digital nomads: Some countries have a “digital nomad visa”, sometimes called a “remote work visa” or a “freelancer visa”. Unfortunately, Sweden currently doesn’t have this type of visa available.
After you find work
To work in Sweden doesn’t have to stay a dream. If you’ve found work, the next step is getting a visa or work permit.
Read the e-book “I’m moving to Sweden! Everything you need for your new Swedish life” to navigate the bureaucratic obstacles. This trusty guide will be with you every step along the way on your road to working in Sweden.