Do I need a visa or residence permit?
If you need a visa or a residence permit depends on where you come from. See the explanations below.
Non-EU/EEA countries
If you are intending to stay in Sweden
If your studies in Sweden will take longer than three months, you will need a residence permit before arriving in Sweden
Please note that you cannot apply for a residence permit unless you have been admitted to full-time accredited university studies in Sweden
The residence permit application fee, which is not refundable, is SEK 1,000.
The residence permit application fee, which is not refundable, is SEK 1,000.
When applying for a residence permit, you must prove to the Swedish Migration Board that you will have a guaranteed sum of money at your disposal throughout the entire period of your studies. The amount, SEK 7,300 per month for ten months of the year, is set by the Migration Board. If you wish to bring your family you must show that you have at your disposal an additional SEK 3,500 per month for your spouse and SEK 2,100 per child and month. Remember that you also need to pay the first installment of tuition fees before applying for a residence permit.
If you can prove to the board’s satisfaction that that you will receive free lodging during the whole or part of your study period this sum will be correspondingly reduced. Students who have been awarded a scholarship through the Swedish Institute or another program should supply proof of this. You will also need to show a valid passport and a letter of admission from the institution at which you will be studying. To be sure of obtaining your permit in time you should submit your application 6-8 weeks prior to your departure for Sweden
Please note that residence permits are limited to the duration of the study period, or to one year, whichever is shorter. Your permit will be renewed annually, provided you receive the number of credit points required and can produce evidence of continued financial support. Renewal requests are processed by your local Swedish Migration Board office. If you have any questions please contact the Swedish embassy or consulate in your home country or country where you currently live. You can also contact the Swedish Migration Board. Also, make sure you have adequate medical insurance.
EU/EEA countries
If you are a citizen of a non-Nordic EU/EEA country you have the right to reside in Sweden Sweden
To register, you must enclose proof of enrolment for a course or program which is at high school level at the minimum, assurance that you have sufficient funds for your upkeep, and proof that you have comprehensive medical insurance valid in Sweden
Please note that if you are a citizen of Switzerland
Nordic countries
Citizens from Nordic countries do not need a visa or residence permit to study in Sweden
Medical insurance and care
Before arriving in Sweden
Medical insurance for Nordic, EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
If you are a citizen of any of the Nordic, EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
Students that do not register with their social insurance office in their home country need to arrange their own insurance coverage. This is also best done in your home country. Medical treatment is expensive without any form of health insurance.
However, if the local tax office has entered you in the Population Register, you are entitled to all health care and pay the Swedish patient fee.
You should consult the specific rules applicable to you atFörsäkringskassan.
Medical insurance for non-EU/EEA citizens: stays of one year or more
As a visiting student, if your study program is longer than one year, you are entitled to the same health benefits as Swedes. However, you must first register at your tax office and obtain a personal identity number (“personnummer” in Swedish) as soon as you arrive.
The application procedure can take some time, but you will be fully covered if you need medical help during the time it takes to process your application. While you are still waiting for your “personnummer”, you need to show that you have applied for an identity number and civil registration when seeking medical attention.
However, this medical insurance does not cover your journey to Sweden
Non-EU/EEA citizens: stays of less than one year
If you have a residence permit valid for a period of less than a year, you will not be able to obtain a personal identity number (“personnummer” in Swedish), and you do not have automatic access to health care. However, the Swedish university or university college to which you have been accepted may provide you with health insurance coverage through Kammarkollegiet’s FAS plan. Check with your university if they offer this plan. To read more, visit Kammarkollegiet’s information page(Swedish only), or download the FAS terms and conditions (PDF) in English.
In addition to governmental Kammarkollegiet insurance, Sweden
Students from countries with this type of agreement need only present their passport and a certificate from their national social insurance office when seeking medical help. For the reciprocal agreement to apply, the need for medical care must arise during (not prior to) your stay in Sweden
Students who are not covered by any of these agreements must arrange their own insurance coverage. In Sweden
Medical treatment in Sweden
If you need to consult a doctor (and you are covered–see above) you can either make an appointment with the doctor at the student union health center at your university, or go to the local health clinic, Vårdcentralen. They are listed in the blue pages of the telephone directory. Vårdcentralen will charge you about SEK 150-200 for a consultation.
It might be a good idea to have a thorough check-up at your dentist before leaving for Sweden
Vaccinations
There are no vaccination requirements for any international traveler entering Sweden
Related links
Accommodation
For many people, studying abroad will be their first experience of living away from home for a longer period. This can be a daunting prospect for anyone, especially in view of the demands associated with being a full-time student while trying to gain a foothold in a new culture.
It is therefore important that your living environment is comfortable and affordable; you should give yourself plenty of time to make all the necessary arrangements before leaving for
Exchange students
If you are an exchange student in the Socrates/Erasmus programs you will receive assistance with accommodation arrangements from the host academic institution. Be sure to confirm this with your contact person before you leave for Sweden
Free movers
If you are a free mover, i.e. a person applying on an individual basis, or if you need to arrange your own accommodation for any other reason, you should keep a few things in mind:
There is no national system which handles requests for student accommodation. The local student union at your university fulfills this function, though it is not required to guarantee you accommodation, and may not in fact be able to help you.
The availability of accommodation varies considerably from place to place. Usually, there is plenty of accommodation available at schools located in smaller and middle-sized cities or towns. Unfortunately, the situation is more difficult in the larger cities, especially in Stockholm and Göteborg, and in the traditional student cities of Lund and Uppsala
In addition to contacting your student union, you can also try contacting student housing providers directly. Associations and companies that provide student housing have set up a website for locating local housing providers.
To sign a lease for student accommodation, you must be able to prove that you are already studying or that you have been admitted to an academic institution. When you want to move out you must give at least one month's written notice. Other rules may also apply.
You can rent a flat in the private market. Though usually more expensive, it is a viable option for some students. It is not uncommon for students to share a bigger flat with several rooms. You may also be able to rent a single room privately. Other sources of information are local newspapers and message boards at your university.
Whether provided by student unions or by third parties, accommodation catering expressly for students is often the preferred option, however. Student flats or rooms tend to be less expensive than private alternatives; they give you a chance to meet fellow students and participate in social activities, and they are often close to lecture halls, libraries and other facilities.
Depending on availability, you can choose to live by yourself or in a shared student flat where you will have your own room but share a bathroom/toilet. Flats can be furnished or unfurnished.
Student dormitories
Many students prefer to live in a student dormitory. This can be an enjoyable experience as it gives students from around the world an opportunity to get to know each other and make friends.
But it can also be demanding. Students living in the same corridor may have very different cultural backgrounds, different habits and ideas about how to do things. Most dormitories have 10-15 single rooms in each corridor. A kitchen is shared by 4-15 students. Female and male students live in the same corridor. Often there is also a communal television room.
But it can also be demanding. Students living in the same corridor may have very different cultural backgrounds, different habits and ideas about how to do things. Most dormitories have 10-15 single rooms in each corridor. A kitchen is shared by 4-15 students. Female and male students live in the same corridor. Often there is also a communal television room.
A single room must not be occupied by more than one person – a rule which is strictly enforced. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and the communal kitchen. Although rooms are let with basic furniture, there are no blankets, pillows, sheets, towels or light bulbs.
Some utensils may be available in the communal kitchen but you will usually have to bring your own plates, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. Some student unions rent these. Most student housing areas have launderettes. There is a booking list and a small fee is payable for the use of a washing machine. Rent for accommodation must be paid in advance.
Some utensils may be available in the communal kitchen but you will usually have to bring your own plates, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. Some student unions rent these. Most student housing areas have launderettes. There is a booking list and a small fee is payable for the use of a washing machine. Rent for accommodation must be paid in advance.
How much do I have to pay?
Below are some examples of the average monthly rate for student accommodation (Prices in SEK at 2011 levels. 1 Euro = approx. SEK 10). Please note: due to the shortage of student housing in the older university towns/cities (Uppsala , Lund , Stockholm
For universities located in smaller towns, accommodation prices range from SEK 2,000 to SEK 3,500 for a room.
For universities located in medium-sized towns, accommodation prices range from SEK 2,300 to SEK 4,300 for a room.
For universities located in cities, accommodation prices range from SEK 2,500 to SEK 4,500 for a room.
To find out the precise availability and prices for student accommodation, contact the student union at your university.
A few tips regarding accommodation
The situation with regard to accommodation for students is problematic in many parts of the country, sometimes very much so. There are simply not enough rooms and flats to go round. Fortunately, there are still towns and cities where conditions are better and where all or most students do get accommodation in time.
If you are not guaranteed accommodation as part of your exchange program or through some other agreement, it is vital that you approach your local student union as soon as possible. Remember that the situation will vary according to where you choose to study. Some universities or university colleges have more rooms than others.
At some schools, the student union will guarantee you accommodation if you apply in time; others have special queues for newly arrived students. A good tip is to check for special offers for foreign students with the international desk at your educational institute.
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