Glossary
Key terms for emigrating
Arbetsförmedlingen (Employment Agency)
The Swedish employment agency. Here you register as a job seeker. Offers vacancies, job placement and integration programs for newcomers.
BankID (Digital Identity)
The Swedish digital identity for online services. Essential — without BankID you cannot do online banking, use government services, or pick up packages. Requires a personnummer.
Bostadsrätt (Cooperative Apartment)
A Swedish cooperative apartment — you buy the right to live in it (not the apartment itself). Pay monthly avgift (service charge) to the housing association. Most common housing form.
Försäkringskassan (Social Insurance Agency)
The Swedish social insurance agency. Manages sick pay, parental leave (föräldrapenning), child benefit (barnbidrag) and housing allowance (bostadsbidrag).
F-skatt (Self-Employment Tax Certificate)
The Swedish proof of self-employment. With F-skatt you are responsible for your own taxes and social contributions. Apply at Skatteverket.
Hyresrätt (Rental Apartment)
A Swedish rental apartment with tenant protection. The kö system (waiting list) in Stockholm is infamous — average wait is 9-12 years. Many people rent second-hand (andrahand).
Kommunalskatt (Municipal Tax)
The Swedish municipal income tax: ~30-35% of your income. The biggest tax item. Varies by municipality. Stockholm ~30%, Dorotea (most expensive) ~35%. Withheld directly from your salary.
Migrationsverket (Migration Agency)
The Swedish migration agency. EU citizens must register here if staying longer than 3 months. Processes residence and work permits for non-EU citizens.
Personnummer (Personal Identity Number)
The Swedish personal identity number (YYMMDD-XXXX). The most important number in Sweden — without a personnummer you can practically do nothing: no bank account, phone, rental contract or health insurance.
Samordningsnummer (Coordination Number)
A temporary identification number as an alternative to a personnummer. You receive one if you do not yet have a personnummer but need to work or pay tax in Sweden.
SFI (Swedish for Immigrants)
Free Swedish language course for all immigrants. Offered by the municipality. Different levels. Highly recommended — Swedish is essential for integration and career.
Skatteverket (Tax Agency)
The Swedish tax agency, but also the population register. Here you apply for your personnummer, file tax returns and register your address. Much more than just taxes.
Vårdcentral (Health Center)
The Swedish health center, comparable to a GP. Choose your own vårdcentral. Patient fee ~200-300 SEK per visit. Maximum 1,300 SEK/year (high cost protection).