Living and Working IN SWEDEN Thomas Engel EURES Adviser Jönköping, Sweden thomas.engel@arbetsformedlingen.se

Facts about Sweden 9.3 million inhabitants, only 20 people/km2 Sweden is the third largest country in EU 9.3 million inhabitants, only 20 people/km2 85% live in the South Currency: Swedish Crown 100 SEK =10,91 Euro (October 2011)

Kiruna Umeå 450.000 km2 1574 km Stockholm Göteborg Malmö

Famous Swedes Stieg Larsson Zlatan Ibrahimovic Alfred Nobel Astrid Lindgren Ingemar Bergman IKEA and H&M Volvo and Saab

Language skills Some highly skilled jobs require only English. Most jobs require fluent Swedish. Some highly skilled jobs require only English. Few jobs for low skilled workers with no Swedish.

Labour Market Statistics Unemployment rate 7,3 % Youth unemployment rate 23% (August 2011)

Shortages physicians upper secondary school teachers in vocational subjects surgical, psychiatric, radiology and urgent care nurses engineers: electric power engineering officers: ships and ferries certified pre-school teachers metalworkers: construction

Surpluses daycare workers receptionists nursing assistants assistents for students with special needs biologists janitors warehouse workers shop assistants low skilled restaurant personnel

Working in Sweden Full time, 40 hours per week 6 months “trial” employment Full time, 40 hours per week 25 days vacation per year No national minimum wage Collective agreements between unions and employers.

Finding a job Many links to other major job websites. EURES Public Employment Services www.arbetsformedlingen.se Many links to other major job websites. EURES http://www.eures.europa.eu/ Swedish newspapers www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm

Applying for a job in Sweden Applying via e-mail is common. Applications should be typewritten in Swedish or English. An application consists of: Cover letter (1 page) CV (1-2 pages)

Recognition of foreign diplomas Regulated professions – NARIC The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education www.hsv.se

Income Tax Municipal tax between 29-35 %, depending on where you live Most people pay only municipal tax State tax is paid on incomes above 383 000 SEK – 20% above 548 300 SEK – 25 % www.skatteverket.se (2011)

Unemployment insurance Is not a part of the Social Insurance scheme. Basic insurance: No membership requirement, max 320 SEK/day Voluntary insurance: For members of an unemployment insurance fund, max 680 SEK/day 300 days, 5 days per week. Tax will be deducted. (2011) www.iaf.se

Housing Rent an apartment or house (cooker, fridge and freezer included) 1 bedroom apartment, average rent 4,595 SEK/month, 68 m2 (heat included) Buy into a housing co-op Buy a house Accommodation costs vary greatly

Swedish work place culture Flat organisations Team work and consensus ”Du” – first name basis – informality! Gender equality Strong trade unions

Sweden and Swedes Coffee and coffee breaks Shoes off indoors (in people’s homes) Tend to avoid conflict Light summer nights and dark winters

Tack! Thank you! Thomas Engel thomas.engel@arbetsformedlingen.se Brochure: Living and Working in Sweden www.arbetsformedlingen.se under Other languages