1. Learn Swedish:
Although we live in a globalized world and many people speak English very well in Sweden, you must learn Swedish if you plan to settle permanently. As long as you don’t speak Swedish, you’ll feel like a foreigner in many ways, finding it more challenging to fit in, communicate with locals, and find a job.
2. Enjoy the outdoors:
Despite the sometimes challenging weather conditions, Swedes love to explore the great outdoors, whether it’s hiking, skating, or skiing. Winters can be frigid, especially in the north, but the summer is sunny and warm, with very long hours of daylight. Sweden has beautiful landscapes and cities to explore.
3. Cost of living:
The cost of living is significantly higher in Sweden than in the UK. Taxes on alcohol are very high, and buying food will also be at least 20-30% more expensive than buying food in the UK. It won’t be easy to lead a comfortable life if you have a tiny budget, but once you find a job, your salary will also be higher than the UK average. The social security system is much more extensive when these are unemployment, sick leave, and paternity.
4. Learn more about Swedish society
Sweden is one of the most developed welfare states in the world. Although the country has adopted many neoliberal policies over the past decades, you will still find that society as a whole supports the idea of equal opportunities, a more equitable distribution of income, and will accept higher taxes. Sweden also led the way in the 1960s and 1970s in promoting gender equality and many liberal social policies.
5. Know your destination:
Cities like Stockholm, Malmö, or Gothenburg are very different from small towns in the north. Before you settle permanently in Sweden, you should find out as much as possible about your destination and try to visit it. Winters can be incredibly long, dark, and cold in the north, so if you think this climate is not for you, try moving south and larger cities.
6. Explore the Country
Once you are in Sweden, explore the country and travel as much as you can. The main cities, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Stockholm, offer different ambiances, and you won’t be short of things to do, whether you are interested in food, culture, or architecture. You can also choose to explore the countryside: the coast of thousands of islands, Swedish Lapland or the sandy beaches in the south.
