Though language learning is mentioned, many expats told us that they perceived they were excluded from job opportunities not for lack of language ability because they were foreign – on the surface, clear discrimination – but when we dug down deep, we could see another cause, one you can read about in our guide to the State of Expat Life in Sweden 2018!

“Sometimes all the planning in the world won't prepare you for it, but as long as you know where your nearest coffee house is everything falls into place!”

We at New in Sweden (NiDS) worked with news and analysis provider Mundus International and Swedish language tuition provider Swedish for Professionals to uncover the details of expat life in Sweden. We have quizzed expats that are here, the HR staff that organised their move and the Relocation Agents that supported them during the process. We dug deep to find out the full story about emigrating here and hope that new arrivals can then make much more informed decisions about their move to Sweden.

Our guide to the state of expat life in Sweden is out now. It covers the main challenges expats are experiencing right now and the reasons for them, the support that is and isn’t provided at a personal level and what help is out there. We have a separate report that looks at what expats told us in comparison with other surveys, the political environment and what needs to change for expat life to improve. Get your copies of both here. 

Here are some extra tips to help you get everything sorted out before you move:
 
Websites for looking for a home in Sweden
There is a shortage of rental housing in cities like Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg so allow time to find yourself somewhere to live. Buying property is relatively easier.

Here are some websites for finding rental accommodation:
    
    bostaddirekt.se
    andrahand.se
    foretagsbostader.se
    hyrabostad.se
    hyralya.se
    blocket.se

If you are concerned that an advert sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for fraudulent property ads and fake landlords.
 
Check if your driving licence is valid in Sweden
You can use a foreign driving licence in Sweden but you MUST have it with you when you drive.  Your driving licence must have a photograph of yourself on it or you must, when driving, also have a valid ID document with you containing a photo. Licences not in English, German or French need a certified translation and an international driving licence counts as a certified translation.

Longer term, licences from EEA countries are valid until they expire (although you can switch it for a Swedish one, which is useful as it has your personal number on it). Drivers from countries outside the EEA have a year once they are registered in Sweden to take the driving test in Sweden.

For more information, check out this site (in English)

Stock up on decent socks (seriously)
You are unlikely to see fitted carpet in homes in Sweden. Actually, we’ve never seen fitted carpet in a Swedish home! Swedes don’t wear shoes inside either so add wooden floors to much heavier use of socks and you’ll find your socks wear out much faster. So, take our advice and stock up on your favourite socks. Remember – they will be visible to everyone so choose ones you are happy being seen! This also applies to places like preschools and swimming pools – no shoes inside.
 
If you haven’t already downloaded it, get more tips and our great checklist here:

How are you feeling about your move right now? What would you like to know about life here? Let us know below or on Facebook/Twitter.