Living and working in Sweden

The Swedish Institute provides information about Sweden in several languages, covering everything from geography, history and politics to the education system and much more. Contact details: Box 7434, SE-103 91 Stockholm. Telephone: +46-(0)8-789 20 00. Home page: www.si.se. Official information about Sweden in many languages is provided on www.sweden.se. Information on Swedish companies and authorities is available from Gateway to Sweden: www.wwlink.se and statistical information on www.scb.se/eng/. For maps visit: www.sna.se/gazetteer.html.
Arrival/taking up residence

In accordance with the EEA Agreement Citizens of EU/EEA countries and their families do not need permits in order to work in Sweden. They may stay in Sweden for up to 3 months to look for work. After 3 months a residence permit is required. This can be applied for before or after entering Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket) provides information concerning residency in Sweden and how to apply. Telephone: +46-(0) 11-15 60 00, Internet: www.migrationsverket.se. Those who are entitled to unemployment benefits can apply to take their benefits with them to Sweden in order to look for work for a maximum of 3 months. For regulations and applications please contact your local employment office. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries who are not next of kin to a EU/EEA citizen must have a work permit in order to work in Sweden. This must be applied for before arrival. More information is available from the Swedish embassy or consular services in your home country.
Recognition of professional qualifications

Sweden and the other EU/EEA countries comply with directives regarding the recognition of professional qualifications and authorization to practice certain professions (Those which are subject to law or regulations and require authorization or the equivalent). The basic principle being that anyone who is qualified to practise a certain profession in their home country shall be allowed to do the same in another member country. But there are exceptions and an application must always be made. These regulations are represented by sector directives and two general directives. The sector directives apply to pharmacists, architects, midwives, physicians, nurses, dentists and veterinary surgeons.

Professions in Sweden primarily affected by the:

1st general (89/48/EEC) lawyers occupational therapists audiologists biomedical analysts dieticians speech therapists teachers opticians orthopaedic technicians psychologists psychotherapists accountants rescue service supervisors radiographers physiotherapists medical physicists marine engineers sea captains directive 2nd general directive (92/51/EEC) rescue service officers firemen fire prevention inspectors marine electricians estate agents aeronautical technicians Ships Engineers, Class 1 and Class 2 Assistant ships Engineers, Class1 and Class 2 prescription dispenser shipmasters , Class 1 and Class 2 master chimneysweeps dental hygienists dental nurses driving instructors . . . .

Other occupations such as hairdressers electricians and plumbers may require recognition in Sweden. The Employment Service can provide you with information. Fore information on formalities and the relevant competent authorities, contact Hgskoleverket (The National Agency for Higher Education). Telephone +46-(0)8563 085 00 or the Internet: www.hsv.se or http://citizens.eu.int/.
The labour market in Sweden

More information is provided on www.ams.se or http://europa.eu.int/eures.

Finding work

If you are looking for work in Sweden, your first step should be to contact the public employment service in the country you are in. There, they can give you advice on finding a job in Sweden. As a second choice, you can contact a public employment office in Sweden. A EURES adviser can give advice and help to applicants looking for jobs, and to employers wishing to recruit personnel in another Member State. EURES advisers are available at http://europa.eu.int/eures. As a jobseeker in Sweden, it is assumed that you yourself will actively seek work and use the self-help facilities on www.ams.se. Public employment offices have customer work stations, where you can browse job advertisements and find out more about jobs and employers. Most jobs listed in the Jobs Bank include the employers name and contact details so that you can contact employers yourself.

More information on the Internet: www.ams.se (Swedens largest job site on the Internet) or EURES at: http://europa.eu.int/eures. Private recruitment agencies are permitted in Sweden. The major international recruitment organizations also operate in Sweden. Newspapers advertise job vacancies: www.dn.se, www.svd.se, www.di.se. For local newspapers, see www.gulasidorna.se, (yellow pages). Search for "newspapers" under the British flag. Most companies have their own home pages on the Internet. Use the common search engines or the yellow pages. Advice on how to write job applications in Swedish is available on www.ams.se. If you cannot write your application in Swedish, you can use the standard European format for CVs, which you can find at www.cedefop.eu.int/transparency/cv.asp.
Labour Legislation

Employment in Sweden is either on a permanent basis or for a limited term. Limited-term employment is allowed for temporary (stand-in) positions or nonrecurring projects. A trial period of employment for a maximum of 6 months is allowed in most collective bargaining sectors. Sweden has no legislation on minimum levels of pay. Employment conditions and other terms between employers and employees are regulated in Sweden to a large extent through collective agreements between trade unions and employer organizations. A very high proportion of people working in Sweden are trade union members. Verbal employment contracts are valid, although in accordance with EU directives, employers must, within one month and in writing, inform the employee about their terms of employment. You are, however, strongly advised to obtain a written contract of employment before moving. Working hours: 40 hours per week. Legislated vacation time: minimum 25 working days. Normal age of retirement: 65 More information can be found at www.lo.se, www.tco.se, www.saco.se.
Starting your own business

Information about starting your own business is provided by NUTEK, the Swedish Business Development Agency. They can be contacted via Startlinjen (Start-up Line). Telephone 020-35 10 10 (inside Sweden only). Information is also available on the Internet, at www.nutek.se. Enquiries can also sent by fax: +46(0) 8 744 06 77. Internationella fretagarfreningen (The Swedish Association of Ethnic Entrepreneurs) provides information via the Internet in several languages on www.ifs.a.se. Telephone +46-(0) 8 690 56 79.

Accommodation

The three most common forms of accommodation in Sweden are: own homes, owner-tenancies and renting. Almost all own homes are detached, semi-detached or terrace houses. Owner-tenancies and rental properties are usually flats, although sometimes houses are available. Rents vary greatly depending on location, situation, size and standard. Most rental accommodation is owned by municipal housing corporations. Purchasing owner-tenancy accommodation entails membership in an economic association, which requires a financial investment. Prices for owner-tenancies and own homes vary a great deal between the various regions of Sweden. More information on housing: The Swedish Association of Local Authorities home page with links to all municipalities and thereby to municipal housing companies: www.svekom.se. The Swedish Association of Real Estate Brokers home page with links to all member companies: www.fmf.se also www.hemnet.se. For housing adverts in the national newspapers visit: www.dn.se, www.svd.se, www.gp.se, www.sydsvenskan.se. Adverts in local newspapers can be found via the yellow pages on the Internet www.gulasidorna.se click on the British flag and search for "newspapers".
Child care

Municipalities in Sweden are obliged by law to provide childcare, where the demand exists, in either nursery schools, after-school centres or day-care centres. More information on child care facilities can be found at: www.si.se.
Schools

Information about the education http://citizens.eu.int, www.si.se.

Income tax

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To obtain a tax card and personal identity number in Sweden, you have to register in person at your local Tax Office as soon as you are granted a residence permit. If your intended stay in Sweden is less than 1 year, instead of being allocated a personal identity number, you will be issued with what is called a "co-ordination number". This works in more or less the same way as a personal identity number. Take your residence permit notification, passport or identity card, any marriage certificate etc. with you to the Tax Office. Your personal identity number will take a week to 10 days to be issued, and it will be posted to you. If you intend to work in Sweden for more than 6 months, you are obliged to pay tax in Sweden. Your employer will deduct preliminary tax according to the official table of tax rates. Tax is deducted for municipal (local) income tax (the rate of which varies from one municipality to another, but is usually around 31%). On any income above SEK 291,800/year (for the 2004 tax year), central government income tax is charged at 20%, with the rate rising to 25% on income above SEK 441,300/year. The tax deduction also includes charges for social insurance. Anyone working in Sweden for less than 6 months pays a special income tax at 25% and is not required to file a tax return in Sweden.

More information on tax rules and tax rates is available on the Internet at: www.skatteverket.se. Brochures may also be ordered by calling the National Tax Board?s service number, 0771-567 567 (from outside Sweden: +46-27 07 34 98).
Social Insurance

Anyone taking up residence in Sweden will be covered by the national social insurance system. This provides health and parents Insurance, industrial injury insurance and disablement benefits. You must register at the social insurance office (Frskringskassa) in the area where you live. Addresses can be found in the telephone directory. You should register as soon as you receive your personal identity/ co-ordination number. You do not need to qualify in any particular way in order to be covered by the Swedish social insurance system. Some benefits however require that certain conditions must be met, such as specific periods of insurance, a specific residence requirement or income from work. In some cases you may be able to take periods of insurance in another EU/EEA country into account. This would need to be confirmed via an "E-form" issued by the appropriate government agency in the persons country of origin. The Social Insurance office can provide more information. As a rule, sick pay will for the first 3 weeks be paid by the employer. If your period of illness lasts longer than that, you will receive sickness benefit from the Social Insurance office. Both sick pay and sickness benefit are generally 80% of your pay, and are taxable. A doctors certificate is required after 7 days. More information about health insurance is available on the Internet at www.forsakringskassan.se. This information is given in several languages. In addition, information is provided in the brochure Bra att veta om socialfrskringen ("What you need to know about social insurance") which can be obtained at your local Social Insurance office. The brochure is also available in several languages.
Unemployment insurance

Those who are entitled to unemployment benefits can apply to take their benefits with them to Sweden in order to look for work for a maximum of 3 months. For regulations and applications please contact your local employment office. The Swedish unemployment insurance differs in some respects from unemployment insurance in other countries. Unemployment insurance comprises two parts: a basic insurance and a voluntary, income- related insurance. The basic insurance exists for those who are not members of any unemployment benefit society (a-kassa) or who have not been a member long enough. In order to become a member of an a-kassa, you must have worked at least 17 hours per week for at least four weeks during a consecutive period of five weeks. You must still be working to at least the same extent when you apply for membership. All unemployment benefit societies except one (ALFA) are linked to trade unions, but it is not necessary to be a member of a trade union in order to get unemployment insurance. It is sufficient if you work "within the benefit societys operational sector".

In order to obtain income-related benefits in the event of unemployment, you must fulfil both a membership condition and a work condition, Note that in some cases you are allowed to take time worked in other EU/EEA countries into account if you have not worked in Sweden long enough. More information is available on the Internet: www.iaf.se, Information in English.
Bringing a car to Sweden; driving licences

Vgverket (the Swedish National Road Administration) www.vv.se can provide more information about the requirements that apply to bringing a car into Sweden as part of your personal effects. Remember that you must obtain a car export licence (usually from your country?s customs authority) before bringing your car into Sweden, otherwise your insurance will not be valid. Driving licences issued in the EEA do not have to be exchanged for a Swedish one. Regulations on driving licences from other countries vary, depending on where the licence was issued. Bilregistret (the Swedish Motor Car Register) provides more For information in several languages: information on www.vv.se. http://www.vv.se/templates/page3____954.aspx.

The Swedish health and medical care system

The purpose of this document is to provide a brief overview of the Swedish healthcare system for professional healthcare personnel from other countries who are seeking jobs, primarily from the EU/EEA countries. The list of addresses refers to other bodies that can provide more detailed information.
Central

The Swedish health and medical care system is decentralised. The central level comprises the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Socialdepartementet) and the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). Their roles, besides work with legislation, include providing objectives and guidelines and conducting supervisory work related to quality and accessibility.
Regional

The county councils (Landsting), which are politically elected bodies, are responsible for financial and operational matters within their respective regions. Their principal function is to provide citizens with health and medical care, including everything from highly specialised medical care at university hospitals to primary care at healthcare centres. There are 18 county councils, two "regions", Vstra Gtaland and Skne - and one "health-care-community", Gotland. Approximately 90% of all care is conducted by public healthcare providers. In recent years the trend has been towards more outsourcing of care to private care providers, companies owned by the county councils, or staff co-operatives.
Local

The healthcare centres (Vrdcentral), there are about 1000 of them, constitute the foundations of Swedish healthcare. Normally 2-6 physicians work in teams together with nurses, physiotherapists, midwives, medical secretaries, almoners and health visitors at each centre. On average each physician working as a general practitioner (GP), a specialist in family medicine known as a Distriktslkare, has approximately

2 000 patients. The objective is to reduce this number to 1 500 patients per physician by the year 2008. The municipalities are responsible for the care of the elderly, people with disabilities and also for some parts of the mental healthcare service. This care is provided at nursing homes, service housing or in the form of home nursing, among other places.
Training of physicians and nurses in Sweden

Undergraduate medical education in Sweden lasts 5,5 years and leads to "Lkarexamen", the equivalent to M.D.(Medical Degree). In order to become authorised to practice as a doctor (registration licence), candidates must also complete at least 18 months general practice (AT) under supervision. The number of AT positions is decided by the county council. These positions are advertised twice a year in the journal "Lkartidningen" (www.lakartidningen.se), in February and in October. Approximately 1 000 physicians are registered each year. Once the doctor has got his licence, he/she can apply for a post to start the specialist training (ST). This training takes at least five years and after a formal final examination the doctor is granted qualification as a specialist (i.e. becoming a consultant) in one of the 62 fields of medicine currently recognised. The training of a nurse in Sweden lasts 3 years. This results in registration as a nurse. Specialist training is available within, among other fields, anaesthesia, paediatric care, district nursing, geriatrics, intensive care, surgery, psychiatry, radiology and midwifery.

Shortage of healthcare personnel

The shortage is due to several related causes: Restructuring of the healthcare services, substantial financial cutbacks during the 1990s. Reduced training places during this period. The average age of healthcare personnel will result in a high retirement rate in the near future. Increased care needs for an ageing population.

The various projections that have been made for the county councils recruitment needs, up to and including the year 2014, offer an unambiguous picture of the future: within a few years a substantial shortage of manpower will arise within the healthcare and nursing sector, unless there is a fundamental change in the current situation. Already there are shortages throughout most of Sweden and this applies particularly to physicians, nurses and assistant nurses. Furthermore there are, or it is anticipated that there will be, recruitment problems, both locally and regionally within other professional groups (e.g. dentists, pharmacists and physiotherapists). Shortage of physicians The National Plan of Action, introduced by the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) for the development of health and medical care services, will have a bearing on the future situation for physicians. The objective of the Plan is that the number of GPs in the primary care services will increase by a total of 1 700 by the end of 2008, an increase from the current 4 300 GPs to 6 000.

In the year 2002 there were in total 30 000 practising physicians in Sweden, of which 85% were in the public sector. Of these, approximately 12 000 were specialists (i.e. consultants) at hospitals. From the year 2005, a sharp rise in retirement among consultant physicians is expected, both within general practice and other specialist fields. The projected recruitment need for physicians suggests that there will be a demand for about 1 400 new physicians per annum. Each year approximately 800 physicians qualify from the Swedish schools of medicine but the reduction of medical courses implemented in Sweden during the 1990s will continue to have an adverse effect until around 2010. The demand for nurses The 1990s have seen a steady increase in the number of nurses within the county councils and municipalities. A change in the structure of healthcare with new technology and new methods means that the demand for nurses with specialist training is expected to increase. The fastest growth will probably take place within the municipalities, as the increasing number of older patients with multiple and a chronic complaint imposes greater demands for more home nursing and primary care. Currently, 3 200-3 500 nurses qualify annually from the Swedish basic course, and the number of course places will be increased over the next few years to just over 5 000. In the year 2002 there were 83 543 nurses in county councils and municipalities. The retirement rate of nurses will increase steadily and peak around the year 2015. The projected need for more nurses suggests that there will be a demand for about 6 000-7 000 nurses per annum. Recognition of qualification (diplomas) Citizens of EU/EEA countries, who have undergone medical training in a Member State, are entitled to have their diplomas recognised in Sweden. 17 professional groups are covered by the regulations on the recognition of diplomas. Pharmacists, midwives, physicians, nurses and dentists are governed by a sector directive. A translation of these certificates of accreditation is not normally required. Other regulated professions are: occupational therapists, chiropractors, speech therapists, opticians, psychologists, psychotherapists, dispensers, radiology nurses, physiotherapists, hospital physicist and dental hygienists. Four professional groups, which are not accredited, have protected titles, namely audiologists, bio-medical analysts, dieticians and orthopaedists. Standard forms and instructions on how to apply can be obtained from the National Board of Health and Welfare, which is the competent authority under the Medical Directives, responsible for issuing medical qualifications. Specialist competence is recognised in Sweden by the operational manager conducting an individual assessment of qualifications/credentials, using the objectives laid down by the National Board of Health and Welfare as a basis. Most specialist fields of medicine require longer

training in Sweden than in other countries, and this may mean that complementary training is necessary before recognition as a specialist can be granted.

Swedish courses
No knowledge of Swedish is formally required to become registered in Sweden. It is nonetheless necessary to be able to communicate in Swedish with colleagues and patients while working. AMS (National Labour Market Board) has a framework contract with the Folk University relating to courses in Swedish for physicians and other healthcare personnel who are recruited from EU/EEA countries. The courses comprise intensive training oriented towards work within the Swedish healthcare services. These run as full-time, three-month courses at various centres around Sweden. Alternative course organisers, as well as other training schemes, also exist. The courses are usually paid for by the employer, who is also responsible for ensuring that anyone employed receives instruction in Swedish medical legislation.
Finding and applying for work (Health sector)

Under the EEA Agreement Citizens of EU/EEA countries and their families do not need permits in order to work in Sweden. After 3 months a residence permit is required. Vacant positions are registered with the Employment Office (Arbetsfrmedlingen), www.ams.se. The Employment Office national job bank, at http://platsbanken.ams.se, is the largest job database in Sweden and can be accessed at any time of the day or night. Vacancies in various EU/EEA countries within health and medical care, among other fields, are registered in the European job bank, www.eures-jobs.com. Advertisements for vacant positions for, among others, physicians also appear in the weekly medical newspaper Lkartidningen (www.lakartidningen.se), and in newspapers such as Moderna Lkare (www.sylf.se/Moderna_Lakare/) and Landstingsvrlden (www.landstingsvarlden.com). These advertisements are written in Swedish. Vacant positions advertised in the various job banks or in newspapers can be applied for by submitting a covering letter and a CV. The application may also be sent to the employer by e-mail or regular post. If further information concerning the position/job is required, the contact person nominated by the employer can be approached directly. As of June 2001, it is possible to submit a CV and application to the European jobseeker bank, www.eurescv-search.com. The CV will then become available to prospective employers within the health and medical care services throughout the EU/EEA Area.

Pay
Physicians According to statistics from November 2002, the median salary for an assistant physician (AT) was SEK 22 000 per month. The majority of registered assistant physicians (ST) is subject to the individual salary system and negotiates their

salaries personally on appointment. The median salary for an ST position was SEK 31 000 per month. For a chief physician the median salary was SEK 48 200 per month and for a general practitioner (GP) SEK 48 000 per month. Additional compensation is paid for on-call and emergency service duty. All the salary figures concern physicians employed by county councils (Landsting). Current salary statistics: www.slf.se Nurses Nurses salaries are fixed individually. Consequently, salaries vary depending on position, responsibility, the level of expertise required, and experience. For example, during 2002, the median salary for a nurse working with in-patient care (at a hospital) was SEK 19 500 per month. Advice in conjunction with salary negotiations is provided by the respective trade union. Current salary statistics: www.vardforbundet.se
Important addresses and websites

National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) 106 30 Stockholm Tel +46 (0)8 555 530 00 Fax +46 (0)8 555 532 52 e-post: sos@sos.se www.sos.se Swedish Medical Association (Sveriges Lkarfrbund) Box 5610 114 86 Stockholm Tel +46 (0)8 790 33 00 Fax +46 (0)8 20 57 18 e-post: info@slf.se www.slf.se Swedish Society of Medicine (Svenska Lkaresllskapet) Box 783 101 35 Stockholm Tel +46 (0)8 440 88 60 Fax +46 (0)8 440 88 99 e-post: sls@svls.se www.svls.se Federation of Salaried Employees in the Hospital and Public Health Services (Vrdfrbundet - SHSTF) Box 3260 103 65 Stockholm Tel +46 (0)8 14 77 00 Fax +46 (0)8 411 42 29 e-post: info@vardforbundet.se www.vardforbundet.se

Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (SACO) (Sveriges Akademikers Centralorganisation) Box 2206 103 15 Stockholm Tel +46 (0)8 613 48 00 Fax +46 (0)8 24 77 01 e-post: kansli@.saco.se www.saco.se The Employment Office (Arbetsfrmedlingen) www.ams.se Platsbanken http://platsbanken.ams.se EURES Jobsearch www.eures-jobs.com EURES CV-search www.eurescv-search.com Migration Board (Migrationsverket) www.migrationsverket.se Federation of Swedish County Councils (Landstingsfrbundet) www.lf.se Swedish Association of Local Authorities (Svenska Kommunfrbundet) www.svekom.se Lkartidningen www.lakartidningen.se

MORE INFO
The following information gives Internet addresses of a number of web-sites providing up-to-date information of living and working in Sweden How to Access Jobs in Sweden: AMS Public Employment Service AMS Public Employment Service (Job-Bank) EURES EU Commission Website Jobline StepStone Jobfinder Manpower Proffice Poolia Swedish Association of Temporary Work www.ams.se http://platsbanken.amv.se/region http://europa.eu.int/jobs/eures www.jobline.se www.stepstone.se www.jobfinder.se www.manpower.se www.proffice.se www.poolia.se www.spur.se

Newspapers
Dagens Nyheter Svenska Dagbladet Sydsvenska Dagbladet www.dn.se www.svd.se www.sds.se

Gteborgsposten Dagens Industri Vsterbottens Folkblad

www.gp.se www.di.se www.folkbladet.nu

Official Sites
Government of Sweden Immigration, Work Permits Social Security, Health and Children Recognition of Professional Qualifications Swedish Institute Sweden Portal Taxation www.regeringen.se www.migrationsverket.se www.rfv.se www.hsv.se www.si.se www.sweden.se www.rsv.se

Approximate net salary after statutory deductions with a local rate of 30 % (Skr/Month) Gross Salary 12 500 15 000 17 500 20 000 Net Salary 9149 10 795 12 440 14 086 Gross Salary 22 500 25 000 30 000 40 000 Net Salary 15 709 17 460 19 995 24 819

Other Sources of Information

Accomodation and Tourism www.hemnet.se www.turism.se www.merasverige.nu www.citizens.eu.int www.eryica.org/infomobil www.hsv.se www.eurydice.org www.estia.educ.goteborg.se www.gulasidorna.se http://www2.tagish.co.uk/Links/embassy1b.nsf http://naring.regeringen.se/bestallning/arbetsliv/index.htm

Dialogue with Citizens Eryica Guides Education ESTIA Yellow Pages Embassies World Wide Labour Legislation