Allemansrätten (the Right of Public access)
Allemansrätten, the Right of Public Access, is a great benefit for those who want to experience the Swedish countryside. It gives the right to roam the countryside freely, pick berries and mushrooms in the forest, and swim or travel by boat in someone else’s water. Note, however, that you must be considerate to our nature and wildlife, and there are protected plants you are not allowed to pick. Protected areas, such as nature reserves or national parks, may also have special rules.
Read more about the Right of Public Access here.
ATM machine Bankomat
ATM machines are available throughout the cities and on the university campuses. However, Sweden is almost a cashless society and 80% of all transactions are made by cards or mobile apps. It can, however, be a good idea to have some cash in your wallet, just in case.
Alcohol, narcotics Alkohol, narkotika
Alcohol is sold only in the state-owned monopoly stores, Systembolaget. The minimum age for buying alcohol at Systembolaget is 20. Light beer/cider can be bought in supermarkets. Be ready to show a valid photo ID. In bars and restaurants, the legal drinking age is 18.
All types of narcotics are strictly forbidden in Sweden. Strict penalties apply for selling and using drugs.
Bank Bank
Having a bank account makes life as a student much easier. With a valid residence permit in Sweden, you have the right to a bank account. You can open a bank account already at your first visit to the bank. The bank shall supply this for you and you do not need to accept an appointment later on in the future. Please note that most of the responsibility for this to happen, lies with you. The rules are the same for all of the banks in Sweden and the routines at the banks are similar. It is completely up to you, as the customer, to choose your bank.
Transferring funds from your home bank can take up to a week. If you open a Swedish bank account, make sure you close it before leaving Sweden.
Budget Budget
Below is an average monthly budget in Swedish kronor (SEK) to give you an idea of the cost of living. The budget does not include expenses for travel within or outside of Sweden, extensive medical treatment, course literature or expenses for household furnishings.
SEK per month:
| Food | 3,500 |
| Student accommodation | 3,500 |
| Local travel | 500 |
| Telephone/internet | 300 |
| Clothing, hobby/leisure, other | 1,700 |
| Total | 9,500 |
Bicycle Cykel
Bikes are probably the most popular means of transport among students, and there are good bike paths both in Linköping and Norrköping. Swedes cycle year-round in all weather. Second-hand bikes are available for sale in several places. Keep in mind that a bicycle must be equipped with a bell, front and rear lights, and front, rear and wheel reflectors, according to the law. You can be fined for cycling in the dark without these. Remember to buy a strong lock for your bike.
If you live in Linköping, electric bikes are available for hire in a bike pool in several locations all over the city via an app.
Clothes Kläder
As winters in Sweden can get quite cold, it is important to be prepared with proper clothes, and solid, waterproof footwear. Mittens/gloves and a warm hat are also necessary. If you are not used to cold weather, a good tip is to research the 3-layer principle for comfortable outdoor clothing during wintertime.
If you attend a traditional Swedish student event called a sittning, the dress code for these dinners are quite formal compared to most other types of student parties: suits/ties and long dresses are often worn. These garments can be hired.
You may notice that many LiU students wear colourful and rather dirty overalls. You can learn more about that tradition here: Overalls – a very special garment
Remember, in Sweden you take your shoes off when you visit someone in their home- always.
Contacts Kontakter
| Emergency number | 112 |
| (ambulance, fire brigade, police) | |
| Medical advice and emergency dentist | 1177 |
| Police | 114 14 |
| (non-emergency) | |
| Campus security | 013-28 58 88 |
| Linköping University | 013-28 10 00 |
Currency Valuta
The currency in Sweden is the Swedish krona/or (SEK). Check the current exchange rate of your local currency in order to get a clear picture of prices in Sweden. It is a good idea to have some kronor with you upon arrival, as you will not be able to pay in US dollars, euro or any other currency. You can pay by card (VISA/Mastercard) almost everywhere in Sweden.Dentist Tandläkare
Should you need to go to the dentist, you can turn to your nearest public dental clinic, Folktandvården. There are also several private dental clinics that you can find online (search for “tandläkare”). Please keep in mind that dental treatment in Sweden can be quite expensive, and is not subject to the same benefits as the rest of the healthcare system.Doctor Doktor, Läkare
See “Medical care”.Driving licence Körkort
Driving licences issued in EU/EEA countries are valid in Sweden. Other foreign driving licences are valid in Sweden for one year after civil registration. Driving licences issued in languages other than English, French, German and the Nordic languages require a translation into one of these languages to be attached to the licence. If your domestic driving licence does not bear a photo, photo identification is required in addition to the driving licence.
It is illegal in Sweden to drive under the influence of alcohol: a blood-alcohol level of over 0.2% may result in a fine, the loss of your driving licence or even jail time. The use of seat belts is required in both the front and the rear seats, and it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that passengers use them. If you and/or your passengers do not wear seatbelts, you can be fined SEK 1500-2500. Cars should be driven with dipped headlights even during the day. Winter tyres must be used from December to March when road conditions are wintry.
Electricity Elektricitet
The voltage in Sweden is 220 volts at 50 Hz. Electricity outlets in Sweden follow the Europlug standard, and you may need a transformer and/or an adapter for your electrical appliances.Emergency Nödsituation
In case of emergency dial 112 from any phone and ask for the police, ambulance or fire brigade.
Fika
The Swedish fika is more than just a coffee break. In Sweden, fika is a social phenomenon and is used as a legitimate excuse to set aside a moment for quality time. Fikapaus (fika-break) is a natural part of student and working life, as well as a good way to fill your leisure time. At fika, it is customary to drink coffee or tea accompanied by baked pastries such as cinnamon buns.
Jobs/part-time jobs Jobb/extrajobb
Studying in Sweden is considered a full-time occupation. A regular work week in Sweden is 40 hours - your schedule and study assignments will be calculated based on this. Part-time work positions are limited, and many require you to speak Swedish. Therefore, it is not recommended to count on finding work to support you while studying.
If you want to gain some work experience during your studies, many student associations at LiU offer opportunities to do volunteer work. This is a big part of LiU student culture and a great way to meet new people and practise your skills.
Leisure activities
Information about leisure activities is available at Student Life.
Library Bibliotek
In addition to the libraries at Linköping University, there are public libraries in both Linköping and Norrköping, where you can borrow books and other media, or use the facilities as a quiet place to study. You can register and get a library card with a valid ID card.
Medical care Hälso- och sjukvård
To make a doctor’s appointment, call the health centre/clinic (Vårdcentralen) in the district where you live. If you do not know which clinic you belong to, call 1177 for information.
1177 Vårdguiden is the national medical telephone advice service where you can talk to a nurse at any time. It is free and available 24/7 and there is English language help available. They can help you assess whether you need emergency care, advise on treatments you can try at home, or help you find out which clinic you should contact. 1177 Vårdguiden also has a great website where you can look up conditions and seek advice.
For emergencies, as in serious or life-threatening situations, call 112 for an ambulance or go to the emergency room (Akuten) at the University Hospital in Linköping or Vrinnevi Hospital in Norrköping. If you’re not sure how serious your condition is, call 1177 for advice.
Medical treatment in Sweden can be very expensive without insurance. Bring your European Health Insurance Card, if you have one, or proof of other medical insurance. Please note that FAS+ Insurance only covers admitted students to LiU but no one else. If you bring family members with you to Sweden, they will need their own insurance from your home country.
Mobile phones Mobiltelefon
Normally you should be able to use your own mobile phone from your home country, if it is not locked to a certain network. If possible, the International Office will offer you a SIM card free of charge when you arrive.Newspapers Tidningar
Linköping and Norrköping each have a local newspaper, Corren and Norrköpings tidningar (NT). These are only published in Swedish. Foreign newspapers and magazines can be bought at several newsagents or read at the library. You can read and watch Swedish news in English at Radio Sweden’s website (public service) or on other commercial sites.
Opening hours Öppettider
Most shopping malls and stores in the city centres are open Monday to Friday 10-19, Saturday 10-17 and Sunday 11-17. Boutiques and smaller shops have shorter opening hours and are often closed on Sundays. Supermarkets often have longer opening hours.Personal identification number Personnummer
If you plan to stay in Sweden for at least a year and have health insurance with full coverage you can apply for a Swedish personal identity number at Skatteverket. This number can facilitate your contact with Swedish authorities, healthcare institutions, banks, libraries, etc. It is also required for many services, such as discount cards at the supermarkets or paying for mobile phone instalments. The personal identification number has 10 digits, starting with your date of birth (YYMMDD-XXXX), and is not the same as the number that you receive at the university.
Skatteverket.se: Moving to Sweden
Pharmacy Apotek
You can pick up your doctor’s prescription and buy other healthcare products at every pharmacy in Sweden. Some non-prescription drugs can be bought at grocery stores and supermarkets - you may be asked to show your ID as there is a minimum age of 18 to buy most of them. Pharmacies are spread all over town in Linköping and Norrköping – check the closest pharmacy for specific opening hours.
Police Polis
Contact the police if you want to report a crime, either as a victim or as a witness. You can reach the police at 112 in case of emergency, otherwise at 114 14. For more information about the Police in Sweden go to Polisen.se.
Post office Posten
Post in Sweden is delivered Monday to Friday. The Swedish postal service is operated by PostNord. There are postal outlets in some supermarkets and service shops for domestic and international mail. There you can buy stamps, pre-paid envelopes and cardboard boxes, send letters, and collect and send packages.Public transport Kollektivtrafik
Public buses – and public trams in Norrköping – run from early morning until late evening, later on Fridays and Saturdays all over Östergötland (East Sweden). You can buy single tickets at various selling points (newsagents, supermarkets, etc.) or at a ticket vending machine – Quickomat. You can also download the app Östgötatrafiken and buy tickets there. Please note that you cannot buy a ticket from the driver.
The public transport company that operates in the county of Östergötland is Östgötatrafiken. Visit their website for more information about local travel, timetables, or to buy tickets, top-up cards and passes. If you travel frequently, you should buy a top-up travel card, which offers a small discount for each trip, or a monthly pass.
The Campus bus can be used for free travel between the LiU campuses in Linköping and Norrköping.
Public holidays Helgdagar
- New Year’s Eve (Nyårsafton): 31 December
- New Year’s Day (Nyårsdagen): 1 January
- Twelfth Night or Epiphany (Trettondedag jul): 6 January
- Good Friday: (Långfredag)
- Easter Day: (Påskdagen) and Easter Monday: (Annandag påsk)
- 1 May: 1 May
- Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelsfärd): The Thursday of the sixth week after Easter
- Whitsun (Pingst): On a Sunday in May or June
- Sweden’s national day (Nationaldagen): 6 June
- Midsummer’s Eve (Midsommarafton): a Friday between 19-25 June, for which the following Saturday is Midsummer’s Day (Midsommardagen)
- All Saints’ Day (Alla Helgons dag): Saturday in early November
- Christmas Eve (Julafton): 24 December
- Christmas day (Juldagen): 25 December
- Boxing Day (Annandag jul): 26 December
Recycling Återvinning
Sweden is a world-leader in recycling, and most homes and workplaces have recycling bins for different materials. Recycling bins are widely spread throughout the campuses of Linköping University.
Beverages in Sweden are often sold in deposit-paid bottles. You pay SEK 1 to 2 extra (pant) for beverages in plastic or aluminium containers, which is returned when you return the bottle or can at a pantstation which is like a vending machine that recycles and pays out a receipt for you to spend in the store hosting the machine (available in most supermarket stores).
Religion Religion
Sweden has a state church, the Church of Sweden which is Evangelical Lutheran church, the church is considered quite progressive globally with female priests and even Archbishop as well as performing same-sex marriages. The predominant religion in Sweden is a Lutheran but many other denominations and religions are represented across Sweden.
You are welcome to contact the student ministers (Kårallen Building in Linköping and Trappan Building in Norrköping) if you have any queries regarding religious matters or even if you want to get in contact with someone of your own religion.
Smoking Rökning
Smoking is forbidden in all public places in Sweden, i.e. at the university, in restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centres, nightclubs, etc. Please note that smoking outside hospitals is only allowed in designated places.Taxi Taxi
Travelling by taxi can be expensive, although some companies offer student discounts. Ask the taxi driver before you start your journey.TV and radio TV och radio
Sweden’s public service broadcaster is called SVT. Their channels and streaming services are free and broadcast news as well as entertainment. Cable TV with foreign channels is available for monthly subscriptions in many residential areas. Foreign programmes on Swedish television are shown in their own language with Swedish subtitles.If you live in a student corridor, a TV set is usually available in the common living areas. Swedish radio has public service channels (P1, P2, P3 and P4) as well as commercial channels.
Time Tid
Local time in Sweden is GMT +1. Sweden uses daylight saving time (DST), meaning that the clocks are put forward 1 hour on the last Sunday in March and put back an hour on the last Sunday in October.Tipping Dricks
Tipping is not required in Sweden. However, if you are happy with your service at a restaurant with table service, it is normal to leave a 10% tip.Water Vatten
Tap water in Sweden is safe to drink and of very good quality.Weather Väder
Sweden has four distinct seasons and temperatures vary greatly between the north and the south. In Östergötland, the average temperature in July is approximately +20˚C (68˚F) and in February the average temperature is -4˚C (24˚F). The winter temperature can, however, fall to as low as -20˚C (-4˚F).