Arriving, setting yourself up and living in Sweden can be daunting. It’s a cool enigma, a challenge, unique, amazingly unknown – and now your home! How are you going to manage this riddle?

Alison Alfry writes:
"I arrived in Stockholm with my husband and two young boys in July 2012 with little or no knowledge of Sweden. I had lived abroad in France before as part of my degree, but never in Scandinavia. This was a journey of discovery, challenges, revelations and one which changed our outlook and sphere of experience.

Being in Sweden was tough to start with, the umbilical cord with the UK seemingly cut, the inevitability of months of cold winter beckoning and a sense of bewilderment with so much change to assimilate. The boys were all at sea, my husband had to get used to office politics Swedish style, I was juggling all this plus working freelance.

For a while it seemed uphill work, but having formulated an attitude of trying to adventure and make the most of all the opportunities our ex-pat posting presented, we began to peel back the layers of what Sweden and friendships with people from across Europe and the world had to offer. It was hugely invigorating, liberating and exciting. In the end, we really didn’t want to leave.
 
An experience that has remained with us, three pivotal years where we somehow transitioned from nervous ex-pats to lovers of the Swedish way of life.

Still inspired by Sweden, I am currently completing Stockholm – Sweden at your Fingertips in conjunction with specialist ex-pat guide to Stockholm, Jessica Dolling Gripberg. At once insightful, inspirational, practical and humorous, this is what every newcomer to Sweden needs to get started, understand how to fit in and discover special places that will begin to make Sweden feel like home. It has a wealth of insight and detail, from key tips about working practices, winter tyres and how best to amuse children on dark winter days, to monthly ideas for making the most of the highlights of the year in Sweden, recipes so you can conjure up Swedish specialities, and ideas for discovering the archipelago, beautiful castles, the exhilaration of skating on open ice and thrill of dog sledding. Look out for it on Amazon this spring!
 
 
Synopsis of So Sweden – Living Differently

In 2012 an adventurer, a linguist and their two small boys left the hedged  
cosiness of rural England for the mysterious, watery expanses of Sweden and  
magnetic draw of ravishing Stockholm. Out of the comfort zone and into a  
vast, detached, pristine country with a different DNA - unflinching pride,  
egalitarianism, hair-shirt doggedness and immersion in nature. A challenging  
conundrum and life abroad with a difference - red wooden houses, tortuous  
vowels, feet of snow, studded tyres, ABBA and a constant seasonal symbiosis  
between water in every form and light of astonishing clarity.

Grappling with a people wrapped in a cloak of silence until the awakening  
call of spring, a fierce climate and a sense of isolation was baffling. But  
liberation from England’s strictures, adventure and the chance to embrace  
Sweden’s calm otherness and families from across the world brought new  
imperatives – open-mindedness, perseverance and living for the moment.  
After 18 months they didn’t want to leave.

So Sweden is the intrepid, wry and enlightening story of the life-changing  
posting to Stockholm of a family from a ‘non-skiing nation’. A journey  
from apprehension to almost unconditional adoration of a cool, distinct  
country, admired from afar, little known. Sweden.

"Fantastically witty tale about living in the cold country of ’lagom’.  
Such a hilarious, but at the same to very accurate, description of the  
challenges of adapting to the Scandinavian way of living. Wonderful language.  
A must read for anyone visiting or moving to Sweden". (Helena Wigart, Amazon  
customer)

"This book is a delight. An easy read with a loving and accurate description  
of embracing Swedish life in all the brilliant moments and some of the  
frustrating ones too. It is a real family memoir and beautifully written".  
(Amazon customer)

"So Sweden' is a charming memoir of a family's three-year posting to Sweden.  
Allfrey's is a fresh, authentic voice behind writing that is both clean and  
descriptive. Images of snow - 40 different kinds of wax for skis and the  
first sightings of spring - are beautifully described as is the author's love  
of good food. The challenges that face not only young mothers but any family  
in a foreign land are met with humour and courage. Ultimately the love for  
their adoptive country shines through". (Susana Ingram, Amazon customer).

A new proposal is under the consideration of the Swedish migration department. The proposal is a part of a major report by a parliamentary migration committee. The committee was assigned to suggest new migration laws, to replace the temporary migration laws which are going to expire next summer.

To clarify - it has been proposed but has not yet been accepted by the government.

There are many obstacles in the way to make it replace the current laws, such as other parties which are against or do not support this proposal. If it gets the green signal to be approved and come in action from next summer, it would be a major change for many foreign residents who would like to have a permanent resident permit. As of now, in Sweden there is no language test is required so it would be a major change for those foreigners who are supposed to get their permanent resident in coming year.

There will be be some exemptions
It is proposed that children and people who are entitled to have national pension or any other pension should be exempted from the new requirements. There are other options for exemptions too.
 
How would the knowledge of language and civics be tested?
It is not yet clear how an applicant will be tested for the requirements. A possibility is, given organising tests may be too resource-intensive, a link to the applicant passing a Swedish For Immigrants (SFI) level C course.

A separate inquiry into introducing language and civic tests for citizenship applicants is on its way too. The Migration Committee would wait for that and then come up with detailed idea of how language and civics knowledge could be assessed.
 
The Migration Committee`s report contains several sub-proposals, so we might see some of them in place next summer but not all. As the language requirement is a completely new measure, there may be separate investigations into the suitability of language and civic tests.

If you are already here or considing moving to Sweden, this is something to keep an eye on.
 
What do you think about the new Migration law proposals? Comment below to tell us your views.

Don't forget to join www.newinsweden.com for more information about moving and living in Sweden.

If you are wondering how to start or bring over a business of your own -  especially when you are living in a new country -  we will guide you through all the essential points for starting your journey as an entrepreneur in Sweden.

** If you would like further help, don't miss signing up as a NewinSweden.com member **

Let’s start then:
Sweden is a wonderful place to start a business because of the very easy and straightforward processes. A person can start business in Sweden as soon as they have a resident permit and have Swedish personal number.

Do the market research:
When starting a new business, the first point is market research. Work out how many other similar businesses are out there, what exactly you going to offer and how you are going to separate yourself from your competitors.

Networking and advice:
One of the keys to success in business is in making your network work for you, regardless of what country you’re in. Besides friends, colleagues and relatives you might have in Sweden, how and where do you find people with ideas similar to yours or who might be potential customers?

You could contact your local branch of the Swedish Jobs and Society Foundation (Nyföretagarcentrum), who provide advice to new businesses and hold regular events around the country as well as Business Sweden that can help you connect with other companies.
 
Another way to find advisors and build your network is through a website called verksamt.se – set up by three Swedish authorities (the Companies Registration Office, the Tax Agency and the Agency for Economic and Regional Growth); they have a page to help you find advisors depending on which region you are living in.
 
Swedes are very much an online breed, so as you get to know more people, use social networking tools like LinkedIn and Facebook, Twitter to help you keep track of your new contacts and watch your networks grow.

Get permission for your business:
Certain types of businesses in Sweden require a permit to operate. Verksamt.se has a handy list of the various trades, professions and businesses that require permits, as well as contact details for the bodies that issue them. After checking about permit, you can move to registering your business.

Different type of business:
There are several forms of business enterprises you can choose to register in Sweden:
(1) sole trader,
(2) starting a limited company,
(3) a trading partnership or an economic association.

If you haven't run a business before, starting off as a sole trader might be a good option for you.

As a sole trader, you run your business. No starting capital is required when you register as a sole trader, which makes this form of business attractive.

As a sole trader, you can just register for tax with the Swedish Tax Agency. All the other business types need to be registered at the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) before you can get started. 

Make a plan:
If you need anyone else to be involved in your business, a good business plan is essential. It is also  agreat way to get your ideas down on paper (or screen!) so you can refer back to it later on. It doesn’t have to be long or complex: a simple statement of what you plan to do and how you plan to do it is perfect.

Financing your business:
There are several private and state-owned financing agencies that help businesses with capital and advice. An option is to use your savings to finance your first few months or you might build up your business slowly alongside a full- or part-time job and of course, you can also apply to your bank for a business loan. As most businesses are not profitable in the beginning, they will require you to put up some sort of security.

Get yourself organised!
Most entrepreneurs focus on working as hard as possible on the sales side to begin with so make sure you find enough time for the administration side of your business too.

Review your progress each month and keep on top of payments, espeically for things like tax.

For specific help with your business amd all the information about moving and living in Sweden, join NewinSweden.com!

Winter is coming! Don't let the coldness or darkness get in between you and your good times in Sweden. Here are some of the best tips and facts about Swedish winter.

Swedish winter – the word itself might sound cold and dark to anyone with an idea about Sweden’s geographical location.  It is quite true that it can be cold here but if you wear the right clothing and know what fun things you can do during winter, you surely get to enjoy the days just as much as you enjoy the warm and sunny days.

The quote is very famous in Sweden - as well as it is in many countries that experience a cold winter - but for anyone who are not used to a cold weather, the advice for right clothing is 'Dress to keep you warm'! Dress in layers – undershirts and pants, your regular clothes and warm outer jackets, keep your body warm and comfy.

Make sure to wear the right hats, scarves and gloves too. If you think you need more layers, do not hesitate to add another layer of clothing because not everyone feels the coldness the same way and only you know it when you’re comfortably warm.

Make sure to wear high visibility clothes or add a few reflective stripes, especially when walking and cycling on the streets during the winter. The days can be dark and it is very important to be visible when on the streets to avoid accidents and to make it easy for drivers to see you.

During winter, Sweden is a magical place. Your everyday view from your little window facing the street will change into a beautiful landscape within a couple of hours of snowing.

Enjoy these landscapes despite the coldness to create picturesque memories. Try skiing, sledding, snowball fights, learning to skateboard, building a snowman or snow fort, making snow angels and many other winter activities.

The best thing about winter is the snow and you have plenty of it everywhere to do whatever snow activities you think is fun. Make sure to wear the right shoes to avoid slipping and getting injured.

Winter walks among the beautiful landscapes will definitely help you fill yourself up with happy thoughts and positive energy. Some winter days are sunny and these days are the best! Make sure to get as much as sunlight possible and enjoy the best of winter.

Fika - coffee/tea and something small to eat - is always a good way of keeping yourself social. A simple Fika with some baked goodies and a cup of coffee could works wonders for putting you in a good mood.

Talking to someone, laughing and spending time with company will help you avoid being stressed by the weather. It is very necessary to be social especially during cold days to avoid depression and keep up your mental health.

The short day time can be quite hard as there is not enough light so use many ways of adding light to your daily routine. If the light in your house is not bright enough, candles are a solution. Candles give you light as well as a bit of warmth. And who doesn’t love it when you have candles lit up around you? Candles create happiness so make sure to try your favourite candles during this winter!

If you are a cycling, make sure you have lights in your bike as the streets can be quite darker even with the street lights on.

Get our membership to find out much more tips on surviving Swedish winter and personal support for your special questions. Our support team will always be just by your side to answer any questions and guide you through life in Sweden. Check out our clothing guide here or find out more about membership here:

This year has been a tough year for a lot of people. Many jobs in Sweden have been directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus crisis. A lot of people lost their jobs and finding new job became harder.
 
If you are planning to work here, you don't want to waste time job-hunting in the wrong way.

Many jobs here are filled through network or referrals. People want to know who you are before they interview you.

One of the major reasons that networking is such an effective way to get a job is that there is something of a hidden job market out there. Some estimate that as much as 80% percent of new jobs are never listed but are instead filled internally or via networking.

Expanding your network: Ask amongst your own network - you might know professional mentors and recruitment agents, they mostly have wide connections with companies.

Seek and join professional groups online (Facebook and LinkedIn or an unemployment programme) to expand your job search and network. During this downtime, it’s the perfect opportunity to make new connections and revive old ones. 
 
Mentorship Programmes: A mentor programme is an answer to several different aspects of job-hunting, from personal support to tapping into the programme’s own network, which are often large.
 
Apprenticeships: They are a great way of handling the handover between generations and of working in an efficient and cost-conscious way while developing competence in the role.  
 
Get a Mentor or Coach: Mentors and coaches are usually individuals who have some experience in their fields and can give advice to help you advance in your career. Mentors and coaches can offer unique perspectives and have often been through similar experiences that they can share to help push you closer towards your goals. Mentors or coaches can be within your networks; a former manager, teacher, or a co-worker can all be people to consider to help mentor you.

Recruitment Agencies: Such as Undutchables Recruitment Agency the international business recruitment pioneer helps both starters and executive candidates, fluent in languages, advance their careers in Sweden and the Netherlands. If you want to further your career in Sweden, Undutchables can help you find the perfect match. Below you can find the link to the Recruitment Agency: https://undutchables.se/

Learning new skills is one of the best ways to become more successful in your career. Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity or would like to move into a more senior role, upgrading your skills can increase your chances of reaching your career goals.
 
Professional development training: This kind of training can range from short (a few hours or a couple of days) to longer training that may be ongoing. Professional development training can be specific to your industry or may focus on the development of soft skills, such as communication, leadership, or working with others.
 
The benefits of upgrading your skills include: Increased self-confidence, Improved marketability and competitiveness, Greater resourcefulness, Better career opportunities
 
A great place to start is to look at current job postings to assess the specific job tasks and qualifications that are required of the kind of jobs you want. Also, expand your search to include roles you may not yet be qualified for but you could pursue with additional training. This involves exploring the possibilities and keeping an open mind. Look for the most available opportunities.

Most importantly, keep yourself positive and motivated. Good luck!

There are a million (at least...we haven't actually counted...) places on the web right now that have instructions on how to behave to protect yourself and others from covid-19.  It varies so much from country to country and, as you may have noticed, Sweden is getting a way bigger share of the media attention for its pandemic strategy.

Whether you think the strategy is right or wrong...and will we ever really know?... here is a summary of what we think is the advice we should all be following if we live in Sweden:

Improve your Swedish at our workshops! Take one or all, book only the sessions that suit you and get better at Swedish fast.

Our workshops are designed to teach you lots, whether you come to one or come to all. 

Here is the schedule for January and February 2020:

Daytime workshops Beginners (A level): 9:00 - 10:30  and  Intermediate (B and C level): 11:00 - 12:30

​21st Jan - Word order and the education system

28th Jan - Verbs and Swedish community

4th Feb - Practice your speaking!

11th Feb - Word formation and a bit about politics

18th Feb - Adjectives and describing things

Finding a job in Sweden can be harder than you might expect. Understanding how to find a professional job will save you hours and hours of wasted energy.

Our workshops in February 2020 cover everything you need to know about finding a professional job here and the detail of exactly how to apply. They are held in Danderyd (north side of Stockholm).

This two-hour workshop is designed to give practical tips and information about how to find a professional job in Sweden. The programme includes:

• Myths about jobs in Sweden.
• Making a self-inventory
• Defining the job market - type of company, role, geographical and branch perspective.
• Your network. 
• Setting your career goal
• The job-hunting process in Sweden – ring – follow up. Fit EVERY C.V. to the company’s specific needs.
• The meeting – recruitment companies, C.V. network, spontaneous applications
• Salaries, benefits, idiosyncrasies
• First day in the office
• Questions and Answers

If you are planning to work here and don't want to waste time job-hunting in the wrong way, don't miss this workshop!

Learn all about C.V.s, LinkedIn and application letters from a Swedish perspective.

The goal is to give useful tips when applying for jobs and the programme includes:

• What to look for in the advertisement and how to ensure you fit the profile
• Application letters - what to think about and what are the usual mistakes.
• C.V.s - layout, content, types of C.V.s  
• LinkedIn - what do think about in your LinkedIn and how can you use it to apply for jobs.
• Questions and Answers
  

What exactly is 'Lucia' (or rather, who was Saint Lucia...!)?

If you are wondering about what happens on the 13th December in Sweden, check out this funny film about Lucia: