Moving to Sweden from abroad

As an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to work, study and live in Sweden without a residence permit.

Work, study or live in Sweden for EU/​EEA citi­zens - Migrationsverket

When the faculty office has issued a formal decision regarding an appointment for postgraduate education or research, HR will apply for the correct income taxation.

Read more about tax regulation

If you are staying longer than 1 year, you need to visit The Swedish Tax Agency upon your arrival, for national registration and application of a personal identity number. Read more under "Learn about your new country".

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and going to Sweden for doctoral studies or work as a researcher, you are exempt from the requirement of a work permit, but you need to apply for a residence permit via the Migration Agency (Swedish Migration Agency).

You might also need a visa for your application. When the faculty office has issued a formal decision regarding an appointment for postgraduate education or research, you can apply for a residence permit. This process might take up to 6 months, so make sure that everything is filled in correctly and in good time before you travel. When the application is approved, HR will apply for the correct income taxation (tax regulations).

If you are staying longer than 1 year, you need to visit The Swedish Tax Agency upon your arrival for national registration and/or application of a personal identity number. You will find more information in the second chapter.

Useful links:

Residence permit for doctoral studies - Migrationsverket

Residence permits for researchers - Migrationsverket

Residence permit

Visas

When all your documents are in order, you might want to visit some of these links to learn a little more about your new country. The next chapters contain links with information about the Swedish society, housing, home insurances, healthcare and more.

If your stay in Sweden is longer than 1 year, it´s important that you visit the Swedish Tax Agency when you arrive, to identify, register and/or apply for a so-called coordination number (a temporary type personal identity number). This number is essential to receive salary, apply for ID card and sometimes to be able to sign a housing contract and pay rent. An ID-card is a good idea to apply for. This will make it easier to pay bills and make money transfers.

Since the processing time for coordination numbers are minimum 3-4 weeks, we advise you to do it immediately when you arrive. 

Moving to Sweden - Civil registration - Skatteverket

ID card - Skatteverket

It´s also important that you register at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. In that way, you are entitled to compensation/illness benefits in case of long-term illness.

Visit Move to Sweden - Försäkringskassan

Other useful links

SINK – special income tax for foreign residents - Skatteverket

I have been granted a residence permit - Informationsverige.se

• You are an employee, not a student
  Emphasize that you are employed with a monthly salary as a doctoral candidate at the university. You are subject to the regulations for employees – not students.
  
  
• Admission decision to doctoral studies
  Always attach the decision confirming your admission to doctoral studies, where the planned start and end dates (from – to) are clearly stated.
  
  
• Proof of employment
  Confirm your period of employment by attaching a copy of your employment certificate.
  
  
• If your situation changes
  If there are any changes in your situation (e.g., change of employment, family circumstances, duration of stay in Sweden), you can submit new information to have your social insurance status reassessed.
  
  
• Insurance affiliation
  The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) only assesses your insurance affiliation. This forms the basis for your right to benefits, such as sickness benefit or parental benefit.
  
  
• If you have children with you, or have a child in Sweden
  You must always submit relevant documents to Försäkringskassan for assessment.
  
  
• If you have a family member with you
  Your family member must also submit their documents to Försäkringskassan. It is important that they state they are a family member of you as a doctoral candidate and attach the same documents as you (e.g., admission decision, proof of employment).
  
  
• Supplementary explanatory letter if needed
  If your situation is not fully covered by Försäkringskassan’s form, you may attach a short explanatory letter. The letter must:
  • include your personal identity number,
  • be dated, and
  • be signed by you.
    Such a letter is considered a valid supplement to your documentation.

On our website you will find detailed and updated information about being employed at Mid Sweden University, which has been collected for new employees. Here you will find information about salaries, benefits, working hours, pension, holidays, trade union organizations and more.

Welcome to Mid Sweden University

Being employed

In Sundsvall & Östersund, the municipality offer students a housing guarantee via the municipal housing company. There are certain rules for the housing guarantee to apply and these can be found on our website.

Housing guarantee

For doctoral studies in Sundsvall, please visit International student - Mitthem AB. You can find the application form on Student housing application - Mitthem.

For doctoral studies in Östersund, please visit Student - Östersundshem.

Please also visit the municipality´s website for links to other landlords.

Find a place to live - Sundsvall Municipality

Move to Östersund - Östersund Municipality

The university has an apartment for rent in Sundsvalls city center, if you need somewhere to stay while you are waiting for your coordination number. Please observe that there is a queue system for this apartment and it´s only available to rent for a short time. Contact your supervisor for more information. 

The university also holds an agreement with a local hotel for long term rates, in case you need a room for just a couple of weeks, while waiting for your apartment.

Once you have found an apartment, you should make sure to register your permanent address with the Tax Agency.

Do not forget to register a home insurance once you find your new place to live!

Insurance - Informationsverige.se

Healthcare in Sweden is governed by different areas called regions.

Here is a guide to how Swedish healthcare works, and how to seek help in your region.

Så fungerar vården i Sverige – How healthcare works in Sweden - 1177

Don´t forget to register at a local healthcare center when you arrive. This is the clinic where you will go and see a doctor or nurse, in case of medical need. The local centers are open daytime on weekdays and you normally need to make an appointment. There is also a regional hospital located in both Sundsvall and Östersund, for emergency care. 

Healthcare in Västernorrland (if you live in Sundsvall) - 1177

Healhcare in Jämtland/Härjedalen (if you live in Östersund) - 1177

In case you bring your family, please check out the municipality’s page for information regarding preschools and elementary schools.

Information for you who live in Sundsvall 

Information for you who live in Östersund

Sweden is a high digitalized country, which sometimes causes difficulties before you receive your coordination number, ID-card and bank ID.

If you need to visit a local office that handles cash payments and international transfers, there is a Western Union/Forex center in Birsta, 7 km outside Sundsvall´s city center. 

Please visit Begin your new life in Sweden - Informationsverige.se for more useful information. 

Sundsvall and Östersund offers local public transportation by bus. You find timetables and rates for Sundsvall  at DinTur and at Länstrafiken Jämtland for Östersund.

For local events, concerts, museums, excursions and restaurants, we recommend the website Visit Sundsvalll and Visit Östersund

Sweden FAQs - Visit Sweden 

Pre arrival

• Residence permit (non-EU-citizens)
• Visit Miun’s portal for new employees 
• Look for housing alternative

Post arrival

• Visit the Swedish Tax Agency for civil registration
• Contact the Social Insurance Agency
• Apply for ID card
• Open a swedish bank account
• Register at a local healthcare center
• Sign up for a home insurance 
• Register your home address to the Tax Agency