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About Sweden

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Sweden is renowned for its robust commitment to sustainability, innovation and quality of life, making it a desirable location for international trainees and skilled workers with a passion for agriculture, food technology, hospitality, and bakery. 

Efficient, high standard production and environmentally friendly and animal friendly. This is how the Swedish agricultural sector is characterized and hereby provides a valuable opportunity for international trainees. The agricultural industry is diverse and is known for both sustainability and innovation. 

Trainees will find that Sweden’s bustling hospitality and culinary sectors are rich environments for individuals who aim to carve out a niche in the culinary arts, particularly in New Nordic Cuisine, which centers on local, seasonal and foraged ingredients.

Enjoying a traineeship in Sweden provides abundant benefits to international trainees. It affords them the opportunity to learn the latest sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies, which provide them with universally sought-after skill sets. Sweden’s reputation for in-depth knowledge of agricultural practices, forestry, food processing and culinary excellence gives trainees and skilled workers a distinctive advantage in their future career path, allowing them to stand out in an increasingly competitive global job market.

Moreover, traineeships and jobs in Sweden are set within a multicultural, inclusive working environment, which encourages trains to trade cultural traditions and grow their professional network side-by-side with peers from different cultural backgrounds, thereby broadening their global perspective and allowing them the opportunity to form valuable international connections.

Bixter is the answer for all those who desire to secure traineeships or work in Sweden within sectors of agriculture, hospitality, forestry, and food technology. With our unique expertise and international network, we are well-placed to match ambitious trainees and professionals with opportunities that correspond to their unique ambition and direction. With Bixter’s help, you can make the most of your professional and personal growth opportunities in Sweden’s vibrant sectors of agriculture, food technology, hospitality and the culinary arts.

FAQ

Registering in Sweden as a non-EU national with a work and residence permit involves a series of steps to ensure you are legally set up in the country. This process is crucial for accessing various services, from healthcare to banking, and for fulfilling your legal obligations. Below you’ll find a detailed guide to help you navigate the registration process upon your arrival in Sweden. Our team will be there to help you understand the registration process and complete it correctly. 

Residence Permit Card (UT-kort) 

Individuals granted a residence permit are issued a residence permit card, serving as evidence of their authorized stay in Sweden. This card includes a data chip featuring your fingerprints and photograph. It is essential to carry your residence permit card at all times, especially when interacting with entities such as authorities and the healthcare system.

Normally, you receive Residence Permit Card before you travel to Sweden. If you did not receive your residence permit card before traveling to Sweden, your first step should be to pick it up from the Migration Agency in Sweden. This card serves as proof of your right to reside and work in Sweden.

Personal Identity Number (Personnummer)

Visit the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and apply for a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) at the local office of the Swedish Tax Agency shortly after your arrival. This number is essential for participating in Swedish society, including accessing healthcare, opening bank accounts, and dealing with authorities.

You’ll need to bring your passport, work and residence permit card, employment or traineeship contract, and proof of your Swedish address.

Applying for your personal identity number includes registration with the Swedish population register, formally establishing your temporary residence in Sweden.

Ensure you have confirmed living address in Sweden to Tax Agency, as it will be required for the population register.

Swedish ID Card

Once you’ve obtained your personal identity number, you can apply for a Swedish ID card at the Swedish Tax Agency. This card is an important form of identification within Sweden. Necessary Documents: Bring your passport, residence permit card, and proof of personal identity number. An application fee is also required before visiting the office.

While it’s not legally mandatory to have a Swedish ID card for non-eu nationals with temporary work and residence permits, it significantly simplifies everyday life in Sweden. The ID card serves as a widely accepted form of identification within the country, making it easier to conduct bank transactions, pick up parcels from postal services, access certain healthcare services, and interact with various authorities.

Bank Account 

With your personal identity number and Swedish ID card, you can now open a bank account, a necessity for financial transactions and receiving salary in Sweden.

Typically, you will need your Swedish ID card, proof of address, and occasionally your employment contract to open an account. Requirements may vary by bank.

In Sweden, several reputable banks are popular among residents and expatriates for opening a bank account, especially for salary reception: Nordea, Handelsbanken, SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken), Swedbank, Svenska Handelsbanken.

When choosing a bank, consider factors such as the availability of English-speaking staff, online banking services, fees for account management and transactions, and the convenience of branch and ATM locations

Healthcare Access

You as an international trainee in Sweden, are obligated to take up relevant and valid in Sweden medical insurance for your entire stay in Sweden. This health insurance should cover you at all times (work and free time) and you need to coordinate with your insurance company if you need to go to the doctor.

In case of illness, you should go to your local health center (Vårdcentralen), which provides doctors, nurses, and other specialists. You will have no problem to find a doctor in Sweden as all municipalities have a health center. For information you can call the 24h non-emergency health number 1177.

Holding a personal identity number entitles you to healthcare services under the same conditions as Swedish citizens. Register with a local healthcare center (vårdcentral) to access medical care.

The difference between coordination number and personal identity number

If you come to Sweden to live and work here, you may receive a personal identity number. If you are going to live and work here but do not fulfill the requirements to be registered in the Swedish Population Register, you will receive a coordination number instead. You receive a coordination number when you get a decision from the Swedish Tax Agency on how you will be taxed. Always use coordination number or personal identity number when contacting the Swedish Tax Agency.

During your traineeship or work in Sweden, you can expect around 40 working hours per week, which amounts to approximately 172 hours per month. Each day, you will typically work for about 8 hours, excluding any breaks that you pay for yourself. 

It’s important to note that as a worker you are entitled to at least 25 days of paid annual leave (vacation) per year, encouraging rest and recuperation.

Upon your arrival in Sweden, your host-employer will come to meet you at the airport and provide transportation to the house or apartment they have prepared for you. They will assist you in settling down and getting comfortable.

Cell Phone

Finding an affordable, reliable, and high-quality mobile subscription is essential for staying connected with family, friends, and colleagues both within Sweden and abroad. Sweden boasts a competitive telecommunications market, offering a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. Consider plans from Telia, Tele2, Telenor, Tre3, Comviq, Halebop.

Transportation

For expats moving to Sweden, public transport is likely to be a big part of their daily life, especially if they live and work in a major city. The country has an efficient, well-organized public transport network which includes buses, trains, trams, ferries, and metro services. The vast network is largely managed by regional public transport authorities.  

Upon arrival, you’ll quickly notice that trains are the main mode of transport for travelling between major cities across Sweden. The network is run by SJ (Statens Järnvägar) but other regional train operators might serve the area in which you live. The journey across Sweden is a popular long-distance travel option, as it’s faster, more comfortable and quite often takes in beautiful views of the Swedish countryside. For travel within cities or regions, buses and trams run up to every 10 minutes (or even more often during rush hour) which means you’ll never have to wait and go straight to your destination. The three largest cities – Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö – have metro or tram systems that cover a large part of the city area, so are especially useful for commuting on a day-to-day basis.

In general, to use public transport you will need to purchase your travel ticket in advance. Most services operate under a ‘driver-only’ system, so drivers don’t sell tickets on buses or trams. Instead, you should buy your ticket at kiosks, from machines at stations, or by using official mobile apps – which is the most convenient, as well as providing live updates. The app is often available in English and allows you to buy tickets, view timetables, and plan your journey using all the public transport options available to you. Try to purchase travel cards or travel passes if you’re getting around by public transport quite often. These can give you unlimited travel during a certain period and are often cheaper than buying individual tickets. Public transport fares in Sweden are generally priced according to zones, so you are charged more if you travel through more zones. Check what lines are traveling between your departure and destination points, as well as how many zones you must cross, to determine which ticket is necessary for your journey. Note that cashless payments are increasingly being recommended in Sweden, so be prepared to bring a credit or debit card or charge up your mobile payment options.

To buy train and bus tickets in Sweden, several apps and websites can be used:

SJ (Statens Järnvägar): The official app of Sweden’s state-owned railway company, offering tickets for trains across Sweden and to some international destinations.

Skånetrafiken: Useful for buying tickets in the Skåne region, covering both bus and regional trains.

SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik): For those traveling around the Stockholm area, this app offers tickets for buses, metro, trams, ferries, and local trains.

Västtrafik: Covers the Västra Götaland region, offering tickets for trams, buses, and trains in and around Gothenburg.

Resrobot: A comprehensive app that combines schedules and tickets from various transport operators across Sweden, making it handy for planning longer trips that might involve multiple modes of transportation.

 

Shopping

For affordable grocery shopping in Sweden, consider these options:

Willys: Known for its low prices and wide selection, Willys is one of the most popular budget supermarkets.

Lidl: A discount supermarket chain offering a range of groceries at competitive prices.

ICA Nära: While ICA stores vary in size and prices, ICA Nära often has competitive prices and good deals.

Netto: Offers a range of affordable groceries and weekly deals.

City Gross: Known for offering good value for money, especially if you’re buying in bulk.