A Checklist for Planning to Move to Sweden!

Hejsan!

This is Clara and I am a first-year student in computational social science (aka CSS).

First of all, congratulations to all the newly admitted students 🌟but what comes next? Living in a foreign country can sound intimidating but it really does not have to be as long as you’re well prepared 😀 In this article, I will summarize some important things to do both before and after arrival.

Residence Permit (for Non-EU Students)

This is the most important document for students coming from a country that does not belong to any of the Schengen Area countries. It is a legal ID showing that you have the right to reside in Sweden during your study. One can apply for a 13-month residence permit or a 24-month residence permit, and the amount of money you’ll have to have in your bank account differs depending on which one you apply for. Check Migrationsverket’s webpage for more details on how to apply for a residence permit and country specific requirements. Linköping University (LiU) also has a tutorial video (click here to access the link) on the application process.

Housing

There are several ways to arrange your accommodation. The most common way is through student housing companies such as Studentbostäder/ Heimstaden in Linköping or Studentbo in Norrköping. Some companies use a queuing system, in which people collect points to be able to apply for accommodation. The more points you have in the system, the better. So, make sure to register on their website if you haven’t already!

As for other ways to look for accommodation, one can check out local Facebook groups or other authorized sites such as Kombo. However, be extra careful and watch out for scams if you prefer to find your accommodation on Facebook or any other social media platform. Another student ambassador Chelsea has written a comprehensive guide on student housing in Linköping, check it out here!

After Arrival

Sadly, there are still a bunch of things to do after you arrived in Sweden, but no worries! I’ve got your back 🤓 Here is a checklist for things you need to do to kick off your journey:

1. Apply for personal number & ID card

If your study lasts for longer than a year, you need to apply for what’s called “personal number” (in Swedish, personnummer). This is a set of numbers consist of your birthday and 4 digits assigned by the Swedish government, and it is used to communicate with government authorities.

An ID card will be issued after you finish the application process. Read more about how to apply and what personal number is for on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website.

In addition to dealing with administrative issues, sometimes you need it to become a member of shops, such as most of the supermarket in Sweden.

2. Attend the roll call of your program

Very important as at LiU you will lose your place in the program if you do not show up at the roll call. Check the date and location of the roll call of your program on your program’s page!

3. Get a bank account (optional)

Sweden is a cashless society, which means most of the daily purchases are made with either a debit card or a credit card. If your bank charge extra fees for international purchases (, which adds up to a considerable amount of money than the service fee single international bank transfer), or you have a part-time job, you might consider getting a Swedish bank account.

Sweden has rather strict rules against money laundering, and therefore it is slightly complicated especially for foreigners to open a bank account. Most of the time, you need your Swedish IDs and some other documents clarifying where your money is from to set up an account. However, it is recommended to always consult the bank if you have any questions 😊 At some banks you need to book an appointment to open a bank account while at others you send your documents via a regular post.

Okay, so these are some of the most important things to do/ be aware of when you prepare for your study at LiU 🙂 I hope you find this article helpful and I’m looking forward to seeing you around on campus!

Until then, hejdå ✌️

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