- Vitamin D
You may have gotten the advice to take Vitamin D supplements, and maybe were thinking of ignoring it. Do not ignore it. Vitamin D supplements are a must have on this end of the globe, particularly if you’re used to a sunnier climate. The lack of vitamin D can affect your mood and productivity leading to lethargy, fatigue and even depressive states. You can find Vitamin D in supermarkets or pharmacies.
- African stores
Here is a short list of options:
Taj Mahal store for African foods, cosmetics & hair products
Visions Butik for hair accessories
Kings Barbershop for a neat shave
Dreads Basha for dreadlocks (see booking)
Jebena – Restaurant for Ethiopian Cuisine
- Personnummer
Personnummer is the personal identification number (or social security number) that the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) assigns to people in Sweden. You need to be registered in the Swedish population register (at Migrationsverket) for the process to be activated. You can’t do much in the country without that number and the process of acquiring one can take anything from a few weeks to months. Until you have it, you are in a sort of suspended state where certain aspects of life (such as opening a bank account) are not available to you.
The format of the number is YY-MM-DD-XXXX (being your birth year, month and day followed by 4 extra digits).
https://www.migrationsverket.se
Other points to note on tax:
- A Swedish resident will pay a municipality tax, which will vary between 27% – 33% depending on the municipality in which they live.
- Remember to always inform Skatteverket of your new address whenever you move! This is a mandatory step and could affect the amount of tax due from you.
- Tax returns are submitted annually, and refunds met promptly where arising.
- Tax Agency ID Card
You will get an ID card that will include your biometrics. The ID card issued by the Tax Agency is not the same as the national ID card that Swedish citizens hold. You cannot use it instead of a passport when you travel overseas. The card is only valid in Sweden. You can use the ID card as proof of your age and identity at places such as pharmacies, banks or in shops such as Systembolaget. Read more about the card here.
- Swish
Swish is a mobile payment system that works through a smartphone app connecting a user’s phone number to their bank account. This enables the transfer of money real time. The service was launched in 2012 and it is estimated that 4 out of 5 of the country’s population use it.
Where can you use Swish? You can use it to make payments at a shop, to send your friend money or even for online purchases. Just look out for the Swish logo.
- Mobile Bank ID
BankID is an electronic identification system in Sweden. It is your digital ID saved on your mobile phone and you use it to do your banking transactions or to log in to other companies’ and authorities’ sites. It is a personal and easy method of secure electronic identification and signing on the internet. You will need your mobile bank ID to use Swish for example or access your electronic mailbox.
https://www.bankid.com/en/privat/skaffa-bankid
- Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan)
Registering for welfare could enable you to obtain access to EU Health card, child allowance, sick pay, housing allowance, etc. The welfare system in Sweden is administered through different authorities, and Försäkringskassan is the place to go for these benefits.
https://www.forsakringskassan.se/english
- Public transport
For info on the public transport system in Stockholm, see: https://sl.se/en/in-english
For more information on other options and other towns, click here.
- Driver’s license
Generally, a non-EU driving license will be valid in Sweden for 1 year. After that, you must acquire an EU or Swedish driver’s license. The only non-EU license that can be exchanged for a valid Swedish license are those from the UK, Japan, Switzerland and the Faroe Islands.
Driving licences – Transportstyrelsen
- Public holidays
At this link, you will get a list of the red calendar days and a brief description of each:
- Swedish for Immigrants (SFI)
Swedish for Immigrants, is a training program for adults which serves to provide you with basic skills in the Swedish language. Once you have a Personnummer, get in touch with your local municipality for registration. It is an initiative geared at encouraging foreigners to take up the language and is provided at no cost. Click on one of the links below corresponding to where you live for more information.
Stockholm Göteborg Karlskrona Linköping Lund Malmö
- Where to stay
- 12.1.First-hand rental
A first-hand contract is one between you and the landlord. It’s typically permanent unless you break the lease terms. The demand for these is so high, that there is a queue, with waiting times being several years long.
HomeQ – Sweden’s marketplace for first-hand apartments
- 12.2.Sublease (Second-hand rental)
This contract will be between you and the owner of the apartment or the holder of the first-hand contract.
The sublease market in Sweden is regulated and you can only sublet your apartment under certain circumstances such as studies or foreign assignment. The landlord or tenant’s association (as the case may be) must approve a sub-lease. The regulations prevent property from being bought as investments and subleased out (as is common in other countries), creating a limitation in supply and a large demand. It’s important to read through the rental terms and conditions and only make payments after assuring yourself that the deal is sound and your counterparty credible.
- 12.3.Purchase
Housing associations, or “bostadsrättsförening” in Swedish, are common in Stockholm and are applicable to apartments. These are cooperative housing arrangements where members own a share in the property and pay a monthly fee for maintenance and other services. When you purchase an apartment, you are buying the right to reside in it and a share in the building cooperative. When you purchase a house, you will most likely get ownership of the full house and the property it stands on.
- Home Insurance
It is important to have home insurance even if you’re renting from someone else. Protection against unexpected occurrences, safeguards the value of everything you own with a cover in case you cause damage to the home. It often also includes travel insurance.
If wondering where to start, an online search will reveal a list of insurers and even comparison tools to help you work out the best deal for you.
- Electricity
- If you are in a second-hand rental, the landlord will likely take care of electricity. If not, note that you need 2 contracts for electricity. 1 will be with the supplier who transports the electricity into your neighbourhood and owns that grid. This provider is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the grid. The second contract is with the supplier who sells you the electricity that you use. You need to choose an electricity supplier and they have different rates. If you don’t make a choice, one will be assigned to you (most likely not the most cost-effective option). Because of the 2 contracts, you will get 2 bills.
- Building a community
Here are community options to look into :
The African Professionals Network
Community for expatriates & global minds | InterNations
Alliance Française Stockholm (afstockholm.com)
- Pets
If you have a pet you will need to register them. Find more details by clicking on the below:
For information about pet Insurance, have a look here.
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