Guide for international staff

See the following guide for practical information regarding your move/visit to Sweden.

Relocating to Örebro?

Do you have questions about relocating to Sweden for work at Örebro University? Contact our Relocation Office at relocation@oru.se 

We also advise you to visit EURAXESS Sweden, a European network and a web portal that provides online information for researchers who are interested in doing research abroad. EURAXESS is also a tool for research institutes and scientific organisations to find the right international research competence.

Link to EURAXESS Sweden

Before you arrive in Sweden

oru

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens

As an EU citizen you have the right to work, study or live in Sweden without a residence permit. The right of EU citizens to stay in Sweden without a residence permit is called right of residence. You have right of residence if you are employed, self-employed, a student or have sufficient means to support yourself.

Non-EU/EEA citizens

If you come from a country outside of EU, you normally need a work permit to work in Sweden. Special rules apply if you are a visiting researcher (residence permit for researcher) or a doctoral student (residence permit for doctoral studies). The main rule is that you should apply for and have been granted a permit before entering Sweden.

If you are taking up employment at Örebro University, contact relocation@oru.se for assistance with your application. 

Find more information and online application forms on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website:

Residence permits for researchers on the Swedish Migration Agency website 
Residence permit for studies on the Swedish Migration Agency website 
Work permits on the Swedish Migration Agency website
Visas for visiting Sweden for less than 90 days
List of foreign citizens who require a visa for entry into Sweden

Örebro University offers apartments for visiting scholars. Contact your host school for more information. If you are not a visiting scholar we refer you to the local housing company Örebrobostäder, ÖBO, or a private landlord. ÖBO has a fast track for new employees that move to Örebro for work, contact relocation@oru.se for more information. 

Links
Information about housing on the ÖBO website (in Swedish)
Information about private landlords on the Örebro Municipality website (in Swedish)

Home insurance

In order for you to have your belongings insured you are recommended to get home insurance. If anything is broken or stolen in your home you may be obliged to pay for the damage and the home insurance can help with reimbursement.

Depending on the duration of your stay, you may be eligible for tax-subsidised healthcare. Without it, medical costs in Sweden can be expensive. Check with your home social security or insurance office about your own situation before you leave.

Working in more than one country

If you in addition to Örebro university have another employer outside of Sweden, you need to contact Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) regarding whether you should be insured in Sweden or not.

Försäkringskassan issues a certificate showing what country’s social security system you are covered by. If you are not covered by the Swedish Security system according to an A1 certificate its important that you send that information to HR (lonesupport@oru.se) so Örebro university can pay employer contributions to the right country.

Links

Work in Sweden - Försäkringskassan (forsakringskassan.se)

Staying in Sweden more than a year

If you plan to stay in Sweden for at least one year, you must generally be entered into the Swedish population register. You do this by registering with the Swedish Tax Agency. Once you are registered in Sweden and when you have received your personal number, you are entitled to healthcare with the same conditions as other residents of Sweden. This means that you pay the regular Swedish patient fee for medical care in the public healthcare system. You may also be entitled to different types of allowances and benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

You can read more about what applies and what you need to consider in terms of medical insurance on the EURAXESS Sweden website. Remember that any family members who might have accompanied you should also be insured.

Links 
Healthcare in Sweden on EURAXESS Sweden website

Other insurances

You’re insured by Örebro University during work hours, on business travels and while going to/home from work. However, it’s recommended to have private insurance, such as home insurance and a personal accident policy. Contact an insurance company for more information. Make sure that your family has suitable insurance coverage as well.

If you plan to take your family with you, non EU/EEA citizens may need a visa or a residence permit. If you apply at the same time, family members can be included in your application. Make sure to check what applies in your specific case. 

You family should also have medical insurance that is valid in Sweden. If your partner wants to work in Sweden you will find information about the job situation in the country on the website Eures.

Links
Eures website

Childcare

Children can attend childcare from the age of one in Sweden, you should apply as soon as possible to enrol your children. School is compulsory from the age of six, from ‘preschool class’ (förskoleklass). You need to contact the Örebro municipality upon arrival to register your children.

Links
Information about Swedish schools and preschools, parental and children benefits and spouse support on the EURAXESS Sweden website.
Childcare and education in Örebro on the Örebro Municipality website (in Swedish)

When you arrive in Sweden

A sign.

Register in the population register

If you’ve moved to Sweden from abroad and plan to live in Sweden for one year or more, you’re generally required to register in the Swedish Population Register. You need to visit the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) in person to complete the registration. It’s good to prepare for your visit using the Move to Sweden service found on the Tax Agency website.

You’ll receive a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) once you’ve registered. It usually takes one to two months but may take longer.

More information on the Swedish Tax Agency website

Taxes

If you are relocating to Sweden or if you in addition to Örebro university have another employer outside of Sweden, you need to contact The Swedish tax agency and register for preliminary A-tax, or to apply for special income tax for non-residents (SINK). The Tax Agency needs to reach a decision on whether you should pay preliminary A-tax or SINK so that Örebro university can deduct tax accordingly. Inform HR about the decision.

When you visit a service center to apply for a personal number and have not yet registered for A-tax or applied for SINK, you should be able to apply there.

You can start your employment before the Tax Agency has reached a decision on A-tax or SINK.

SINK

If you will be staying in Sweden for a short period, less than 6 months, you can apply for special income tax for non-residents (SINK). Read more about SINK at Skatteverket. Contact lonesupport@oru.se if you have questions.

Links

New in Sweden and will be employed here | Skatteverket

SINK – special income tax for foreign residents | Skatteverket

Tax Agency films and web seminars

Watch the New to Sweden films and learn more about what family members, if applicable, and documents you need to bring when registering with the population register, how you apply for an ID card and other useful information about population registration.

Skatteverket: “New in Sweden – the population register and basic tax information” an online seminar designed for you who are planning to move to Sweden to study or work at a Swedish university. Find all planned dates here. 

ID card

When you get your personal identity number, visit the Tax Agency again to apply for an ID card. An ID card is required in many situations as proof of identity. The fee is SEK 400.

More information on the Swedish Tax Agency website

The Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) administers social insurance in Sweden. After you’ve moved to Sweden, you should submit your details to Försäkringskassan, and they’ll then assess whether you’re considered residing or working in Sweden. Make sure to request an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) in section 6, "Övriga upplysningar", when filling out the form on the Social Insurance Agency website.

More information is found on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency website 

Once in Sweden, you will be able to use your international bank card in any store, bank and cash machines/ATMs.

Note, to a large extent Sweden is a cash-free society. While most stores and eateries still accept cash, some will only accept payments via bankcards or the mobile payment service Swish.

If you plan to stay in Sweden for a longer period it may be a good idea to open a Swedish bank account to which you can connect a Swedish bank card. Terms and conditions for opening a bank account vary depending on the bank.

Information about banking on EURAXESS Sweden website

For information about salary payments, please follow the instructions received upon confirmation of employment. 

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency call 112. This number goes straight to the ambulance, police and rescue services. You get to talk with an emergency operator who will ask what has happened and where you are.

Local primary health care centres

You’re free to choose which primary health care centre you want to be listed at, but you will automatically be listed at the one nearest to your home if you don’t change it. Call 019 – 602 16 00 if you’re unsure which centre is closest.

You can get 24-hour medical advice by calling 1177 (no area code). Call this number if you need medical advice in the evening and on weekends or if it can’t wait until the next day.

For general information about the health care system in Sweden: 
1177 – Finding your way around the health care system

Links
Health and medical care on the EURAXESS Sweden website
Health insurance on the EURAXESS Sweden website

Healthcare at the university

When work-related problems occur, the occupational health services - Campus Health Services - is available at the university.

Pharmacy

Non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies as well as at certain supermarkets, grocery stores and petrol stations. You will need a prescription for stronger medicines and antibiotics. Prescription medicines are available only at pharmacies.

Dentists

In Örebro, you can either consult the national dentist health service, Folktandvården, which is a part of Region Örebro County, or a private dentist. The cost for dental care is partly reduced if you are registered in the Swedish social insurance system.

Leaving Sweden

winter day

If you leave Sweden in order to live abroad for at least one year you have to notify the Swedish Tax Agency at least one week before.

You might need to contact the National Government Employee Pensions Board (SPV) and the Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten) regarding your future pension. Please read the information in English on our intranet under "Termination of Employment".

Contact your bank and close your bank account. This might be difficult to do from abroad.

Questions about relocating to Sweden? Check our FAQ.