Moving to Sweden: all the details and nuances

Moving to Sweden: The Experience of Alice and Sergey’s Family

Two months ago, Alice and Sergey, along with their daughter Olya, moved from Moscow to Gothenburg, Sweden. They quickly managed to find a suitable apartment, enroll their daughter in a local school, and start exploring the area. Alice shared her impressions with a journalist, talking about the challenges of moving and adapting to their new life.

Obtaining a Work Permit: the First Step

One of the first steps in moving to a new place is to obtain a Work Permit. This document with This document with photo and biometric data is valid for two years and allows you to work and live in Sweden. The organization The organization of the move was handled by a firm that worked with Sergei, helping with housing and financing.

Important administrative procedures in Sweden

After the quarantine ended, it was time to contact the tax office to obtain a personal number (SSN), which is necessary for various administrative procedures, including enrolling a child in school, renting housing, and paying taxes. Next, it is advisable to apply for an ID card (Swedish passport) and open a bank account to simplify the process of currency conversions for everyday expenses.

Preparation of documents and other important points

Nevertheless, there are a number of tasks that are recommended to be completed in advance: translate important documents into English and have them notarized, update your passport, and visit the Swedish embassy for the biometrics procedure. It is also important to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs about any residence permits in another country before departure.

Search for accommodation in Gothenburg

When renting a property, one should be extremely careful: "Unfortunately, only people over 60 years old can rent this apartment." Searching for housing in Gothenburg is a complex and multifaceted task that requires time and patience.

Conclusions

Moving to another country can come with many challenges; however, proper organization and planning can help simplify adaptation and ease the transition to a new life.

Searching for housing in a big city

Upon arriving in the bustling city, we faced the challenge of finding accommodation due to the large number of students and the overheated rental market. Our salvation came from Sergei's company, which allowed us to rent an apartment for $5000-6000 for three months. However, due to delays with our tickets, we only started looking for housing a few days before our departure.

First experience with renting

We rented a small apartment for $6,000 for two weeks, even though it was modest and old. The owner clearly inflated the price, knowing that we had no other options. This situation shocked us.

Finding a new home in Sweden

The need to search for housing again arose due to an eviction in two weeks. The rental process in Sweden requires providing various information about oneself, including photos, work details, income, pets, and children. After submitting an application, one has to wait a long time for a response from the landlord, who can refuse without explanation.

Refusals and the social composition of tenants

We have encountered refusals due to various reasons related to the social composition of the tenants. The Swedes carefully select residents to maintain the comfort of their neighbors and ensure a balance in the building.

Swedes and their lifestyle

The Swedes believe that every family member deserves their own room, as well as a shared living room. They prefer to live in residential complexes where several buildings are connected, and all issues are addressed collectively at residents' meetings.

How are tenants selected?

Swedes are very responsible in choosing tenants, and an important factor is not only the nationality, but also sincere gratitude. nationality, but also sincere gratitude. This helped our family to find a cozy apartment at a reasonable price, equipped with all amenities, from a spacious living room to a private parking lot. parking space.

Adaptation of children in a new environment

Our children quickly adapted to the new environment, especially our daughter, who is actively learning Swedish. The local school does not give grades until the 6th grade, focusing on the individual development of each child rather than favoritism. The children happily communicate in several languages on the playgrounds, which fosters an atmosphere of understanding and tolerance.

Conclusions

The Swedish lifestyle can differ from the habits and culture of other countries. However, living in this country can be comfortable if you learn to adapt and respect local norms and traditions. This may not be easy at first, but over time, you can gain positive experiences and enjoy new impressions and opportunities.

If a child is experiencing difficulties with academic performance or behavior, both the child and their parents are invited to the school for an individual meeting with the teacher.

The Swedish education system offers unconventional approaches and features that may be that may be different from what we are used to. Education and food for children in Sweden are absolutely free, which encourages equal opportunities to learn. education and food for children in Sweden are completely free, which encourages equal opportunities to learn.

Students only bring personal belongings to school, as all necessary materials are provided for them, including an iPad instead of traditional textbooks. The government also provides financial support, paying amounts for each child up to 16 years old to cover expenses for sports sections and development.

The responsibility for order and cleanliness in the school falls on the youngest students.

Psychological well-being of employees

In Sweden, special attention is paid to the psychological well-being of employees. Here, it's not just about the hours worked, but the quality and efficiency of the work. Swedes place great importance on the harmony between personal life and work, believing that only a happy person can be truly productive. They actively promote a healthy lifestyle and the ability to balance work and rest effectively.

Behavioral style and social characteristics

Swedes are known for their introverted style of behavior, which is based on respect for personal space. They prefer to have a small circle of friends with whom they maintain close relationships from childhood. Adult Swedes rarely seek to expand their social circle, preferring to strengthen existing connections. Meetings with friends in public often take place without formal introductions. At the same time, Swedes enjoy actively and joyfully spending time at celebrations with their loved ones.

Cultural features and everyday life

In Sweden, there is an unwritten rule not to look into other people's windows. Windows are often left open, symbolizing openness and the relaxed nature of life inside the home. Swedish houses often feature large, wide windows without curtains, creating a sense of space and light. Even on the ground floors of residential buildings, there are separate balconies, which promotes respect for the privacy of residents. Swedes prefer to avoid conflict situations and strive to resolve any disagreements peacefully, showing friendliness and smiles in response to any misunderstandings.

Features in work and management

It may come as a surprise to foreign workers that Swedish companies prefer to to send a written warning about the need to improve performance instead of a verbal conversation. This reflects a desire for clarity and professionalism in communication. The lifestyle and living structure in the dormitory areas of Swedish cities are highly functional and clearly organized, which may surprise foreign observers by its systematic nature.

Conclusion

After two months in Sweden, I can confidently say that adapting to this northern country is an interesting but far from simple process. We had to face a number of challenges, starting from paperwork and ending with finding housing. However, despite all the difficulties, we found our way and managed to settle down in our new country.

For a successful adaptation in Sweden, it is essential to have patience and a willingness to embrace change. It is important to familiarize yourself in advance with the process of obtaining all necessary documents and to understand the specifics of housing in this country. Swedes take their responsibilities towards tenants very seriously, so be prepared for the fact that finding accommodation may take longer and require additional effort.

Every country has its own features and traditions, and Sweden is no exception. Despite the challenges, moving to this country opens up new horizons and opportunities for growth. I am proud that we took this step and were able to successfully settle in Sweden. Moving to a new country is always a test, but with the right mindset and perseverance, one can overcome any difficulties and create a comfortable living space for themselves.