1. Living and working in Sweden Torino October 2007

2. Content Facts Working and work law Professions and labour market
Trade unions and unemployment insurance
Social insurance

3. …more content Registration and ID-numbers Taxes Housing Cost of living
Useful web-addresses

4. Public Employment Services (Arbetsförmedlingen)
Service through:
Internet (24 hour service)
by telephone via Customer Service Centres (7 day service)
The Public Employment Office – “Arbetsförmedlingen” (over 300 offices)

5. Sweden facts
9 Million inhabitants, 85% live in mid or southern Sweden.
The “Mälardalen” region around Stockholm has 2.6 million inhabitants.
Öresund region (Malmö-Copenhagen) very expansive.
Since 1995 member of the EU
In Schengen, but not EMU.

6. Kiruna 21 Counties Umeå 20 inhabitants / km2 Stockholm
Nordspets – sydspets = Malmö – Florens
Statistiskt sett bor det 1 person/km2 i norra Sverige.
290 Municipalities
Göteborg
Malmö
Ystad

7. Absolut Swedish Using tu and first names not titles
During summer is Sweden “closed”
Using Internet is common in Sweden
Systembolaget
“Allemansrätt” in the nature

8. Italians in Sweden
The first Italians came to Sweden in 1947 to Malmö for working in the Swedish industry.
During 1940s and 1960s came approximately 500 Italians each year to Sweden.
Italian organisations were created and today there exists 17.

9. Arrival All citizens from EEA and Switzerland have free mobility.
No transitional rules to Sweden
Registration of right of residency required for stays longer than three months
Work permits are required for Non EEA/Swiss citizens. Restrictive policy on issue.

10. Working and work law… 40 hours week Minimum 25 days of paid holiday
No national minimum wage
Strong trade unions
Collective agreements
(between trade unions and employers org)
Forms of contracts: Permanent (the norm), Project or temporary.
Trial period max 6 months

11. … Working and work law Flat organisations
Teamwork and equal opportunities
Expected to take own initiatives
Average wage SEK (Sept 2007):
SEK (men), SEK (women)
Unemployment rate 3.7 % (July 2007)

12. Applying for Work in Sweden
is an accepted mode for applications.
An application 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.

13. Regulated professions
Recognition of qualifications and diplomas
General information and teaching professions
Health care and medical professions
Some craft and trade workers by trades organisation (examples electrician, hairdresser)

14. Labour Market Situation - shortages -
HEALTHCARE
Doctors
Dentists
Nurses /Specialists
Midwives
TEACHING
Teachers /Upper secondary school, vocational subjects
Pre-school teachers
(Spring 2007)

15. Labour Market Situation - shortages -
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
Electricians
Plumbers (Ventilation and Sanitation)
Construction Workers (painters, bricklayers, concrete workers, electricians)
Sheet metal workers
Engineers
(Spring 2007)

16. Labour Market Situation - shortages -
TRANSPORT
Truck Mechanics
Sheet Metal Workers
Car Body Repairers (panel work)
Car Mechanics
INDUSTRY
Tool Makers
Welders
Machine Tool Operators (NC/CNC)
(Spring 2007)

17. Labour Market Situation - shortages -
ENGINEERING
Building Services Engineers
Mechanical engineers
Heating and Ventilation Engineers
Electrical engineers
Thermal Insulation Engineers
OTHER PROFESSIONS
Cooks
(Spring 2007)

18. Taxes www.skatteverket.se
Special income tax 25% for non-residents (max 6 months)
Council tax 26-34% (PAYE system)
State tax on yearly incomes over
VAT
Sverige näst högsta skatter efter Danmark.

19. Social Insurance The Insurance Office www.fk.se
Financed by taxes and employer’s fees
Main fields:
-Health insurance. First 14 days by employer. First day unpaid, from day 2 based on salary.
-Parental insurance. 480 days,
Sverige näst högsta skatter efter Danmark.

20. …Social Insurance Pensions
Child allowance. From 1050 SEK/month.
Child care. Sick child under 12 years, max 60 days per year
Housing allowance
Rehabilitations
NOT unemployment insurance
Sverige näst högsta skatter efter Danmark.

21. Unemployment Benefits
Are not a part of the Social Benefits scheme.
Consists of two parts:
Basic insurance (Alfakassan): For all workers after a qualifying period: No membership requirement, max 320 SEK/day
Voluntary insurance: You must apply to become a member of an Unemployment Insurance Fund and pay contributions. After the qualification period, 80% of earlier income, max 680 SEK/day
300 days

22. Accommodation
Rent an apartment or house
Example: 1 bedroom apartment, average rent 4,150 SEK/month (January 2006, )
Buy an apartment
Buy a house
Accommodation costs vary greatly

23. Food Costs Loaf of bread 13-15 SEK Butter, 500 g 20 SEK
Minced meat, 1 kg 50 SEK
Hamburger SEK
Pizza SEK
Today’s Special SEK
Beer in a bar, 50 cl 50 SEK
Glass of wine in a bar 55 SEK

24. Useful Web Addresses Finding a job
Applying for a job, CV templates

25. Useful Web Addresses Population, Civic Registration and Taxes
Social Insurance
Work and Residence permit and Right of residence card
Swedish Embassies

26. Useful Web Addresses
Living and Working Conditions
The Swedish School system
The National Health Board
Recognition of Foreign Diplomas

27. Thank You for listening!
Catarina Ystehed
EURES Adviser
Arbetsförmedlingen/EURES Stockholm
Norrtullsgatan 6, Box 6046 S Stockholm
Tel+46 (0) ,
fax +46 (0)