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The most important thing to prioritise when you move to Sweden

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Hallå hallå, Reader!

We moved to Sweden as a family about five months ago now, and as I look back on our first couple of months here, there's one thing I am very grateful I stayed on top of to make the transition smoother.

And it's all about being ready for Swedish bureaucracy. Cause let me tell you - getting set up here can feel a little… different 🙃

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OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE SWEDISH TAX AGENCY When we went to Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) to apply for our government ID's (personnummer), I was genuinely surprised by how much is still handled with paper. They photocopied our documents and then mailed them - yes, by post! - to a scanning centre. From there, the scanned copies were sent to a case manager to process. Coming from Australia, where things are often digital and quick, this felt so slow and old-fashioned. ​ Four weeks after we had been to Skatteverket we heard back saying they were missing photocopies of three of the passports. I was 100 % sure they had been scanned on the day of our appointment but what can you do? I had to return to the Service Centre (government agencies visiting centres) and have them photocopy them again. ​ Now there are people that have had shorter and longer waiting times, but it gives you an insight into how the system isn't the most advanced one and is subject to human error.

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But here’s the thing: once you understand how Swedish bureaucracy works, it all starts to make sense. And you realise that the more proactive and prepared you are, the better off you'll be. And getting your personnummer is the first big step to settling in - it unlocks almost everything else, from healthcare to bank accounts.

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➡️ START HERE

Get your personnummer: If you’re planning your move to Sweden, your personnummer should be at the top of your to-do list.

Here’s why:

• It’s essential for accessing healthcare, opening a bank account, and even signing a phone contract. Without it, many everyday tasks become way more complicated.
• You’ll need to visit Skatteverket in person, so booking an appointment early is key! You book it here.

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➡️ FEELING OVERWHELMED? LET ME HELP!

Getting started in Sweden can be confusing - I’ve been there (and I'm Swedish 😅)! That’s why I created the Moving to Sweden Checklist, a step-by-step guide to help you plan, prepare, and feel confident about your move.

It’s everything I wish I’d had when I was figuring this out for myself when preparing to return to Sweden with non-EU family members after 10 years overseas.

And hey, if you’re struggling with something specific, I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply and let me know what’s been your biggest challenge so far - I’ll use your input to create more helpful resources.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Kindly,

Linn