27 Comments

  1. Probably a dumb question. Healthcare, doctor appointments and emergency care were mentioned. What about regular prescription medications? Such as insulin for a diabetic? Thank you

    1. It is completely free, pumps, sensors, insulin etc. since it is a chronic illness. No problem getting access either because you will be on a planned program with a dedicated nurse and specialist doctor and will be called to yearly check-ups etc.
      I am a type 1 diabetic so I know. Hassle free online ordering of everything you need.
      Prescription medicins in general are heavily subsidized so cheap to start with and there is a ceiling of 2600 Sek per year. After that medicines are free.

  2. Hello,I am from Nigeria .I love what I read about Sweden but I am abit down with these two factor which are :
    1 : long and dark winter month, as a foreigner,what can I do to over come it .
    2: you mention about saving .you means Sweden is not a place to work and save,maybe due to high cost of living ?
    Does it mean I cant save for the future?

  3. Hello! I’m a Nigerian and I intend to apply for a masters program in Sweden. I like a lot of things about Sweden and I find this article very informative. Do you have any advice as regards my intentions? Linkoping University is the choice I’ve decided on

    1. Hi, Eddy! It’s great to hear that you’re interested in pursuing a master’s program in Sweden, and I’m glad to hear that you found my post informative! Sweden is indeed a popular destination for international students, and I think the university is a fantastic choice.

      I recommend you check out this website https://www.universityadmissions.se/intl/start to get more information.

      Hope that helps!

  4. Hi!
    I am from Sweden and I love reading this.
    But I found one little thing, you wrote that Sweden has short summer days – which is not true, the greatest thing with Swedish summer days is that they’re very long – up to 17-20 hours of day light – in the north 30 days of absolute brightness.
    Kind of makes up for the dark winters (but not entirely)

    1. I’m a Filipino also. I married a Swedish national from Göteborg about 18yrs ago and we have been living in the USA for that long(I’m Filipino American btw). I’m just wondering about investing in real estate such as rental property(either appartment or villa.) Is that common…private ownership/landlord?
      I’m thinking about investing before I make my way to Sweden to retire.
      Spent much time there and I really like Torslanda and Vasteras.

  5. This blog was very useful for me since I was calculating to migrate to Sweden with my family i.e., wife and two children of 10 & 2. I am afraid of the severe climatic conditions because I am from Sri Lanka, pearl of the Indian ocean.
    I have to look for masters student visa and work only part time. Another thing I want to get clarified is that whether my part time work will be sufficient for the living of whole family.
    My wife is a beauty culture diploma holder but she is week in English. What could be her employability in Sweden?
    Thank you in advance for your comments.

  6. Hello Karen
    I am Otto , and i am from Ecuador. My girlfriend and I áre getting married next year. So, we áre checking some possibilities to relocate. Sweden was not in our list. However., We consider move there. I have the same career as your husband. I speak English, French, a Little Portuguese and of course Spanish. Maybe, i would contact in the future. Blessings, Otto

  7. Hi! Thanks for writing such an informative list! But what is the law of Jante? I see it in the list but there’s no expansion below!

    1. Janteloven (the law of Jante) at its simplest describes the way that all Norwegians (and in fact, other Scandinavians too) behave: putting society ahead of the individual, not boasting about individual accomplishments, and not being jealous of others

  8. Thanks for this article. I’m blessed. I am thinking of relocating to the UK but with this your article, I will think about Sweden soonest.

  9. Thank you so much dear for this useful info. Me & my husband is going to move soon at Sweden. Your article helped me a lot to understand many things despite I knew most of them, still I feel something supporting to set a mind according different challenges. Once again thanks a lot for sharing your experience and useful tips for foreigners.
    Stay Blessed.. 🙂

  10. I have lived in 4 countries in Europe. I believe the more countries you have lived the more difficult will be for you to accept Sweden.

    I just could not make it. 3 years in Sweden, and I did not find my place. You did not mention on your comments racisms (not sure if you experienced that) but I found Sweden extremely racist. People just do not mix. White are friends or of whites, black with black and so on.

    Also depression is very common and they think is because the weather but I also have heard Swedish complaining that they feel very lonely.

    Many old guys go to Asia to find young women. There is a lot of double standards.

    1. I find Sweden very accommodating. I have friends from lots of different cultures. It obviously depends on who you are at the end of the day.

  11. Hello ,I’ve always wanted to live in europe especially in sweden but I’m a hijabi and African and I was born in canada I wanted to know if they maybe gave jobs to expats I want to work in medical career and how are they with ppl that are foreigners. How do they treat them. I’m in a new country but this country that I’m in isn’t that welcoming to any type of foreigners.

    1. Hi,

      When I first came to Sweden, my bank contact was a hijabi woman.
      And when I went to the hospital, the doctor was hijabi too.
      And I have many engineers who are hijabi and work in big companies.

  12. Dear Karen,

    Thank you for this nice articel!

    My husband and I moved to Sweden last year. First we planned to live here only for 6 months, but due to the pandemic, we decided to buy a house and start a life in the countryside.

    We definitley love the swedish lifestyle – nevertheless it seemed strange in the beginning.
    As we lived in Berlin, Germany, before it was a huge cultural difference. Now we are getting used to it and are happy to welcome back spring & summer!

    When I recall the whole last year, then the winter time from Nov- Feb. was really hard. The darkness and cold temperatures were not easy. How do you experienced it?

    Best,
    Valeria from IvyGreen

    1. Hi Valeria,

      I love your blog and I can’t wait to read more about life in the countryside!
      As someone who grew up in a tropical country, the darkness and cold temperatures were definitely not easy! I love spring & summer though. But autumn and winter are difficult for me to get used to.

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