Living and Working in Sweden

Ylva Papp EURES Adviser Sundsvall Linda Daugaard EURES Adviser Uppsala

Facts About Sweden Sweden is the third largest country in EU 25 and has km coastline. 9 million inhabitants, 85% live in the southern parts. Sweden has been a member of EU since Currency: Swedish Crown (SEK) 9.30 SEK = 1 € (May 2008)

Kiruna km2 21 Counties 290 Municipalities Ystad Stockholm Malmö Göteborg 1574 km 20 inhabitants / km 2 Kiruna Umeå

Right to work in Sweden Citizens Residence right Residence card Residence permit Work permit Nordic---- EU/EEA*X Family membersX(X) Swiss X Non-EU, long- term resident X Non-EUX * workers, self-employed, students, ”sufficient funds”

Language skills In Sweden we speak Swedish The Scandinavian languages are similar – Swedish, Norwegian and Danish English skills are important in many professions Language skills in labour shortages and surpluses

Labour Market Statistics 80,8 % of men and 76,2 % of women aged are in employment. Good child care facilities make this possible. Unemployment rate 2,9 % (April 2008) Unemployment rate 6,0 % (age 15-74)

Working in Sweden Temporary or Permanent contracts 6 months probationary employment Full time, 40 hours per week 25 days vacation per year (right to take 4 consecutive weeks holiday in the summer) Average wage: SEK 26,600 (men) SEK 22,000 (women) No national minimum wage. Collective agreements in most occupations ensure fair wages.

Finding a Job Public Employment Services Platsbanken and Söka jobb / Länkarwww.arbetsformedlingen.sewww.arbetsformedlingen.se EURES Swedish newspapers Adeccowww.adecco.sewww.adecco.se Lerniawww.lernia.sewww.lernia.se Manpowerwww.manpower.sewww.manpower.se Profficewww.proffice.sewww.proffice.se Company websites

Other ways to a job Open application CV database (Swedish)

Applying for Work in Sweden is frequently used and accepted. Applications 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. Recognition of foreign diplomas

Public Employment Services when you are a resident in Sweden Service through: - Internet (24 hour service) - by telephone via Customer Service Centres (7 day service) The Public Employment Office – “Arbetsförmedlingen” (over 300 offices)

Taxes Council Tax between %, average 31 %. State Tax + 20% of the income over SEK + 25% of the income over SEK Example: SEK  net income of SEK SEK  net income of SEK Tax deductions includes social insurance and pension fees, but not unemployment benefits

Unemployment Benefits Are not a part of the Social Benefits scheme. Consist of two parts: 1.Basic insurance (Alfakassan): For all workers after a qualifying period: No membership requirement, max 320 SEK/day 2.Voluntary insurance: For members of an Unemployment Insurance Fund. After the qualification period, 80% of earlier income, max 680 SEK/day 300 days, 5 days per week. Tax will be deducted.

Health care and sickness benefits Patient fee100 – 300 SEK Children < 20 yearsfree Hospital feemax. 80 SEK/day Medicine (prescriptions)max SEK/year Sick pay/sickness benefit80 % of the income* 21 – 654 SEK/day First day = no pay *income < SEK/year

Parental benefit: 390 days with 80 % of income (max. 872 SEK/day) + 90 days with 180 SEK/day to be shared equally between both parents (apart from 60 days) + 10 days to the father of new-born baby Temporary parental benefit: days per child and year Family benefits

Child allowance and Child care 1 child SEK/month 2 children SEK/month 3 children SEK/month 4 children SEK/month Municipalities are obliged to provide childcare to children aged years. “Maxtaxa”

Educational System Pre-school Age 1-5, volontary Pre-school class Age 6, 1 year Compulsory school Age 7-16, 9 years Upper secondary school Age 16-20, 3 years Universities and university colleges Age 18- Advanced vocational education (KY) Age 18-

Accommodation Rent an apartment or house 1 bedroom apartment, average rent 4,595 SEK/month, 68 m 2 “Buy” an apartment Buy a house Accommodation costs vary greatly

Food Costs (€) SwedenHollandFranceGermanyNorway 1 kg butter 4,725,096,605,137,37 1 l milk 0,770,791,030,951,49 1 kg cheese 8,278,4012,239,8510,82 1 kg chicken 3,224,273,584,967,65 1 kg roast beef 13,8717,8016,7129,7422,13 1 kg bread 2,351,484,361,783,05 1 kg potatoes 1,320,661,290,991,11 1 kg apples 2,471,382,382,483,08 1 kg coffee 5,155,536,278,539,35

A Typical Swedish Work Place “Flat” organisations Team work You must be able to take initiatives and adapt to new situations. ”Du” – first name basis – informality! Gender equality Strong Trade unions

Sweden and Swedes Fresh air, clean water, untouched wilderness, open space – “Right of Public Access” Personnummer! “Fikapaus” Shoes off indoors Systembolaget

Sweden and Swedes Tend to avoid conflicts… Sweden “closes” for the summer Between April – September Swedes become sun worshippers Internet – VERY important in the Swedish society “Normal”

Thank You for Your Attention! Brochure: Looking for work in Sweden? under Other languages