Working in Sweden

Living and working in Sweden is the dream for many people and not without reason. The quality of life in Sweden is high, and the work culture is characterised by flat hierarchies and a good work-life balance. In this article, you will learn more about working in Sweden and how you can make this dream come true.

In Swedish working life, people engage with each other as equals. Flat hierarchies prevail in most companies. There is also a lot of emphasis placed on flexible working hours and flexible working models such as work from home. Overtime is rare in Sweden: the priority is rather to have a good work-life balance. The average working week is about 37 hours full-time, but the core working hours are usually only until 2 p.m. In Sweden, you will get at least 25 days of holiday leave and 11 additional days off due to public holidays.  

English is spoken very often in everyday Swedish working life and good English communication skills are sometimes even a requirement. This means that you will be able to survive with English at the start. However, you should still learn Swedish if your intention is to stay longer in Sweden. This will allow you to integrate much better into everyday life.  

The notice periods in Sweden are similar to those in Germany: they increase depending on the length of service. If you have been working for a company for more than two years, the notice period is four weeks, and if you have been there for four to six years, it is as much as two months. During the probationary period, you are only entitled to two weeks’ notice. The probationary period itself cannot be longer than six months.

A particular feature of Swedish working life is what is known as “fika culture”. The aim here is to promote team cohesion. Fika culture means using (coffee) breaks to encourage informal interaction with colleagues.

As an EU citizen, you can live and work in Sweden relatively easily. You do not need a work visa and can work in Sweden for up to three months without having to take any further steps. If you want to stay longer, you will have to register in the central population register at the skatteverket tax office, after which you will receive a personal number. This will be sent out to you within two to three months.

The average salary in Sweden is around 43,000 euros gross per year. This is below the German average. However, salaries in Sweden vary greatly depending on the industry and profession. Sweden is one of the few countries in the European Union that does not have a minimum wage. Wages are only set in collective agreements.

Which professions offer you the best chances of finding a job in Sweden? What sectors in Sweden have the most vacancies? If you work in one of the following professions, you are more likely to find a job quickly in Sweden:  

• Nursing staff and doctors
• Mechanics
• Craftsmen
• Teachers
• IT specialists

Ideally, you will start your search for a permanent job in Sweden before you leave Germany. This will make your first weeks and months in Sweden easier for you, since you will be financially secure and can make contacts through work. To find suitable jobs, you can easily search for vacancies on these job portals:

• LinkedIn
• arbetsformedlingen.se (Swedish Employment Agency)
• jobportal.se
• Indeed

Have you found a vacancy that sounds exciting? Then you can go ahead and get your application ready. In Sweden, you can submit applications in English for the most part. But read the job advertisement carefully once more to make sure this applies in your case.  

You will usually need the following documents for your application:

• Cover letter: You can set out the cover letter the same way as you would in Germany – just in English or Swedish. Do not simply repeat your CV. Rather, list a few milestones and explain, for example, why you want to emigrate to Sweden.
• Curriculum vitae: There are a few things to consider when it comes to your CV. For example, it is not customary to attach a photo to a CV in Sweden. You should also name two to three former employers as contact persons at the end of your CV. These serve as references in Sweden and will most likely hear from your potential new employer.
• Credentials: You do not usually have to submit any certificates right away. Employment testimonials can be of great help, however. You should definitely have these translated into English or Swedish.

You will often find that you have to present your certificates for a job interview or at a later stage. For this purpose, you should also have these translated into English or Swedish.