Living and working in Sweden Torino October 2007

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 www.migrationsverket.se Work permits are required for Non EEA/Swiss citizens. Restrictive policy on issue.

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

… Working and work law Flat organisations Teamwork and equal opportunities Expected to take own initiatives Average wage SEK 25000 (Sept 2007): SEK 27100 (men), SEK 22.800 (women) Unemployment rate 3.7 % (July 2007)

Applying for Work in Sweden E-mail 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.

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

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

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)

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)

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

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 316700 VAT Sverige näst högsta skatter efter Danmark.

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, 390+90. Sverige näst högsta skatter efter Danmark.

…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.

Unemployment Benefits www.iaf.se 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

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

Food Costs Loaf of bread 13-15 SEK Butter, 500 g 20 SEK Minced meat, 1 kg 50 SEK Hamburger 25 SEK Pizza 40-80 SEK Today’s Special 60-75 SEK Beer in a bar, 50 cl 50 SEK Glass of wine in a bar 55 SEK

Useful Web Addresses Finding a job www.arbetsformedlingen.se http://eures.europa.eu www.eniro.se www.onlinenewspapers.com/sweden.htm Applying for a job, CV templates http://eures.europa.eu

Useful Web Addresses Population, Civic Registration and Taxes www.skatteverket.se Social Insurance www.fk.se Work and Residence permit and Right of residence card www.migrationsverket.se Swedish Embassies www.swedenabroad.com

Useful Web Addresses Living and Working Conditions http://eures.europa.eu www.sweden.se www.si.se The Swedish School system www.skolverket.se The National Health Board www.sos.se Recognition of Foreign Diplomas www.hsv.se

Thank You for listening! Catarina Ystehed EURES Adviser Arbetsförmedlingen/EURES Stockholm Norrtullsgatan 6, Box 6046 S- 102 31 Stockholm Tel+46 (0)10 487 13 98, fax +46 (0)8 508 822 01 catarina.ystehed@lanab.amv.se