Before moving to Sweden

Visa and permits

The rules for visas, residence permits, and work permits vary depending on your position (e.g. researcher, teacher, or doctoral student), your citizenship, and whether your country is a member of the EU or not.

We strongly recommend that you consult the Swedish Migration Agency’s website to find out which rules apply to your specific situation and ensure you submit your application well in advance of your planned arrival. In most cases, permits must be granted before entering Sweden.

If a work permit is required, the application process is initiated by Konstfack and completed by the employee. Please note that the monthly salary must meet or exceed the minimum subsistence requirement for a work permit. In the case of part-time employment, the actual part-time salary must exceed the requirement.

Work permits and working in Sweden: Swedish Migration Agency – Employed

Residence permits for researchers: Swedish Migration Agency – Researchers

List of citizens who require a visa to enter Sweden: Swedish Government – Visa Requirements

Visa and Residence Permits for Family Members

If you are planning to bring your partner and/or children with you, make sure to apply for the necessary documents for them as well. Your partner (including a spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner) and children may apply for a visa and residence permit for the same duration as your own.

Permits for family members: Swedish Migration Agency – Family Permits

Education and Pre-Schools

In Sweden, education is free for children aged 6 to 19. Pre-schools are heavily subsidised, with only minimal fees. Over 95% of Swedish children attend pre-school, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to early childhood education.

To find detailed information about schools, pre-schools, and how to start the enrolment process, please refer to the website of the municipality where you will be living. Note that the Stockholm region consists of several municipalities, each with its own procedures and resources.

If you live in the City of Stockholm: Preschools in other languages – City of Stockholm

There are several international schools in the Stockholm region: International Schools in Stockholm

Stockholm Dual Career Network

Through the Stockholm Academic Forum, Konstfack is affiliated with the Stockholm Dual Career Network—a professional and social network for accompanying partners of international employees. Stockholm Dual Career Network offers career support, events, and networking opportunities to help you establish yourself in Stockholm, both professionally and socially. Registration for the network is handled through Konstfack’s HR unit.

Stockholm Dual Career Network | A part of Stockholms Akademiska Forum

Finding Housing in Stockholm

We recommend that you start looking for accommodation as early as possible, as finding housing in Stockholm can take time. The quickest option is often to sublet an apartment or rent a room in a private home. Another alternative is to purchase a property. For sublets, there are several dedicated housing websites—Blocket is one of the largest and most commonly used. If you are considering buying a home, you can browse listings of apartments and houses on popular real estate platforms such as Hemnet and Booli. Please note that these websites are primarily in Swedish, so using a browser with automatic translation may be helpful.

Use the Move to Sweden Service at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)

Once you have found a home, we recommend using the Move to Sweden service on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website. This will help speed up your registration in the Swedish Population Register. If you plan to live in Sweden for one year or more, you are generally required to register in the Population Register. After arriving in Sweden, you must visit a local Skatteverket office in person to complete your registration.

Move to Sweden – Swedish Tax Agency

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are an EU citizen, you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your local authorities before moving. The EHIC entitles you to necessary medical care in Sweden at the regular patient fee. Children in need of medical care should also have an EHIC.

Taxation

To avoid double taxation—such as if you work in two countries—Sweden has agreements with several countries. These agreements vary significantly and may be updated from year to year. For accurate and up-to-date information, contact the tax authorities in your home country or in Sweden.

We strongly recommend consulting a tax advisor or the tax authority in your home country before relocating to Sweden.

For more detailed information about employee taxation and population registration, the Swedish Tax Agency offers a comprehensive guide for newcomers working in Sweden:

Working in Sweden – Swedish Tax Agency

Telework

Teleworking from abroad is generally not permitted. However, central government collective agreements and associated insurance cover telework from abroad in two specific cases within the EU/EEA:

Cross-border commuters: Employees whose official workplace is in Sweden but who normally commute daily from home in a neighboring country (Norway, Denmark, or Finland). In these cases, telework is allowed if it is performed from home and under conditions similar to those applicable for telework within Sweden’s borders.

Short-term telework: Employees who occasionally telework from another EU/EEA country for a short period, typically one to two weeks.