International staff welcome film
Please view this informal film before your arrival to LiU.
If you only plan to stay in Sweden for a few months Swedish banks may be hesitant to open a bank account. It might be easier to use your bank account from your home country or a neobank account and preferably a Visa or Mastercard. The Swedish currency is called SEK and Sweden is mostly a cash-less society. Please be aware that many banks in Sweden no longer handle cash. However, you still have the option to withdraw cash in ATM's.
If you are staying for a longer period you will have the option to create a Swedish bank account. More information is available under the heading "Banks and how to pay your bills".
Linköping and Norrköping are situated 200/160 km south-west of Stockholm, in the county of Östergötland. Both cities are conveniently located close to airports.
Is located close to Linköping city, only 10 minutes away from the city centre by car.
Is easy to reach and provides good connections to both Norrköping city centre and Linköping.
Arlanda is the biggest airport in Sweden. The easiest way to travel from Arlanda to Linköping/Norrköping is by train. It takes about 2-3 hours and there are several direct trains every day.
The airport is located in Nyköping, between Stockholm and Norrköping. If you arrive at Skavsta you can catch an airport bus that will easily take you to Norrköping or Linköping.
If you arrive at Kastrup Airport, it is possible to take a direct train from Copenhagen to Linköping and Norrköping.
Read more in the article on LiU's website: How to get to Campus
The Migration Agency is the authority that considers applications from people who want to apply for permanent residency or who want to work in Sweden. Make sure you apply early as the application process can take a long time. It is recommended to apply online using the Migration Agency website to receive a decision sooner, provided you have submitted all the required documents and paid the applicable fees.
More information about permits, visas, application forms and the time for a decision can be found at the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
Read more: The Swedish Migration Agency
Read more: Time to a decision
If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and want to work in Sweden, you might need to obtain a work permit. You must have been offered a job before you can obtain one. However, you do not need to apply for a work permit if you:
If you need a travel visa to enter Sweden and you have received the residence permit decision, it can take up to four weeks to produce the card. The card contains your photograph and fingerprints, which will be obtained from the embassy or consulate where you applied for your residence permit. You cannot enter the Schengen area without this card.
If you do not need a visa to enter Sweden and you have received the residence permit decision, you should, as soon as possible after your arrival in Sweden visit the Swedish Migration Agency to have your picture and fingerprints taken for the permit card. You may also need a transit visa for countries outside the Schengen area on the way to Sweden. It will be sent to your home address in Sweden in approximately one week.
Read more: Work permit for employees and citizens of non-EU countries
Special rules apply if you plan to stay as a visiting researcher. You do not need a work permit if you stay less than three months, however, citizens of certain countries require a visa (read more about visas below). If you intend to stay longer than three months you need to apply for a residence permit as a researcher and you need to have a hosting agreement. Please contact your host university who will arrange this for you.
If you will stay longer than 90 days and will research less than 50% of your employment, Linköping University will assist you with your application for a work permit at The Swedish Migration Agency.
If you will research more than 50% of your employment you must apply for a permit for researchers.
Read more: Residence permits for researchers
Read more: Residence permits for family members
As a PhD student who has been admitted to full-time studies at a Swedish university you have to apply for a residence permit for doctoral studies.
Read more: Residence permit for doctoral studies
Read more: Permits for family members
An entry visa is required for researchers and employees from certain countries. You must have received the decision for the entry visa before entering the Schengen area including Sweden.
Read more: List of foreign citizens who require a visa for entry into Sweden
Read more: Visit Sweden for less than 90 days
If you are moving together with your family, there are several aspects to consider. What insurances and other rights apply to the family members? Do you have children in need of child-care or schooling?
The first thing to check is if a residence permit is needed. EU citizens are free to enter Sweden and can stay here and look for a job or study. If the stay is planned to be longer than one year a Swedish personal identity number is needed.
For non-EU members, some citizenships will need a permit to enter Sweden. If the stay is longer than three months a residence permit is required.
Read more: Permits for a family member of a person who has a work permit
Read more: Permits for family members of a person with a residence permit for studies
During the journey from your home country to Sweden all employees, scholars and accompanying family are covered by group insurance with The Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency in Sweden. If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, it is advisable to ensure if you need an extended insurance coverage for travel and medical care.
Read more: Insurance for foreign visitors
Children can attend childcare from the age of one. School is compulsory from the age of six in Sweden. You need to contact the municipality of Linköping or Norrköping upon arrival to enrol the children in child-care or schooling.
Read more: Swedish school system - Linköping
Read more: Swedish school system - Norrköping
LiU is a Euraxess Centre, offering support to all new incoming international staff and their families. The Euraxess network has put together a range of digital activities, introduction internationals to Sweden and various aspects of life here. They offer activities regarding for instance Intercultural Communication, the Swedish Labour Market and LinkedIn.
Find more information and personal assistance at EURAXESS website.
Finding a house or an apartment to rent in Linköping or Norrköping can be challenging, especially at the start of the semester in August/September as well as in January. Well in advance of your arrival, it is advised you contact different housing companies or private landlords to begin the search for accommodation.
As it might be difficult to find a long-term solution straight away, it can be a good idea to find a short-term solution, to begin with. It might not be the type of accommodation you were expecting or in the area you prefer, but remember that it is temporary and that you will find it easier to find something more suitable for you long-term once you are in Sweden. Also remember that housing in Sweden is costly, and most people spend a large part of their income on housing.
Many housing companies have a queue system where you collect points for each day you are registered in the system. Often you can register from your home country. It is advisable to register early in order to receive as many points as possible. These accommodations are usually unfurnished and the contracts are until further notice.
Another option can be to rent an already furnished accommodation. This is often done through private landlords or furnished housing companies. The prices tend to be slightly higher as they are furnished and water, electricity and wi-fi are included. This can still be a good option for the first month or so, as it is easier to find permanent accommodation once you have arrived in Linköping or Norrköping.
It is important that you apply for home insurance once you have moved into your accommodation. It is common to have home insurance in Sweden to protect your personal belongings and avoid costs related to property damage, such as those caused by fire, flooding or plumbing failures - in Sweden property damage is the tenant's responsibility. There are a number of different insurance companies in Sweden and you are to select the one you prefer. Use a search engine online and search for "home insurance" or "hemförsäkring" to find a suitable option. The price is calculated based on the accommodation type, size and value of your belongings.
Landlords in Linköping:
Stångåstaden
Willhem
Heimstaden
Victoriahem (select English)
QASA (a site with multiple available accommodations)
List of other landlords in Linköping
Landlords in Norrköping:
Balder
Heimstaden
Lundbergs
Magnentus
List of other landlords in Norrköping
Furnished apartments providers:
Linköping:
Företagsbostäder
Sky Hotel Apartments
Forenom
Norrköping:
Forenom
Stay easy - business apartments
International Staff Support
We are here to help! Feel free to contact International Staff Support!
It is recommended that you apply for an ID card when you received your personal identity number. The ID card can be used to identify yourself and to receive medical care. The ID card is issued by the Swedish Tax Agency, and you apply at the service office. You have the opportunity to book a meeting online.
Read more: Book a meeting online
Everyone who live and work in Sweden must declare their taxes each year. The tax return form is sent out to all eligible individuals each year. It is your responsibility to return the tax form by the firm deadline set by the Swedish Tax Agency each year. There are some exceptions to the regular tax system, tax relief for key foreign employees.
Income taxes are always automatically submitted to the tax authority since employers are obliged to deduct taxes from your salary directly. It is advised you seek information about any tax treaties between your home country and Sweden. If you are on a fellowship, you do not pay income taxes.
Key foreign employees - executives, experts, researchers, and persons with special skills that are not available in Sweden - may qualify for a tax break. More information is available at The Taxation of Research Workers Board. You must apply within three months after the start of employment. There is also a special income tax for non-residents (SINK).
Read more: The Taxation of Research Workers Board
Read more: Swedish Tax Agency - Working in Sweden
Read more: SINK - special income tax for non-residents
If you will stay for a longer period, you are legally allowed to open a bank account in Sweden. Banks cannot demand you have a Swedish personal identity number or a coordination number to open a bank account. You can choose between online and physical banks. Customers without a personal identity number are offered an account with limited features such as:
• Bank account.
• Online banking with payment service.
• Electronic bank card.
Due to strict regulations, it can take some effort to open a bank account in Sweden. You should make sure you bring an international bank card to be able to cover your expenses. Banks are by law required to check identities of customers and must make sure there is no suspicion of money laundering, bribery, or other financial crimes. The bank will ask several questions to find out if you are a secure customer. Some questions might seem unnecessary and private, but it is very important that you answer all questions truthfully.
Each Swedish bank set their own routines and rules for opening an account and you can prepare by reading on their webpage what to documents they request.
To open an account, the following normally must be provided:
If you plan to stay longer than a year you have access to features such as BankID, that makes it possible for you to sign transactions and documents digitally instead of signing and sending documents. Your personal identity number and Swedish ID must be ready before you can apply for a full account. You organise this in person at a bank branch, since 1 October 2021 it is no longer possible to apply for a BankID at an online bank with a non-national ID or passport.
Available banks with branch offices in Linköping and Norrköping
If a bank refuses you to hand in an application because you do not have a personal identification number or coordination number or denies you a bank account, contact the complaints department of the bank. It is within your rights to have the refusal reassessed. You should receive written information about where you can file a complaint and how you can get it legally evaluated, by the National Board of Consumer Complaints.
Read more: National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) - Swedish consumer laws.
Before you leave Sweden, remember to cancel your bank account. Contact your bank to make an agreement about the closing date and to plan the final transactions. Banks are not allowed to close bank accounts with money and want to avoid small amounts of money left in your account. It might also be difficult to get access to the money if you do not have BankID and cannot visit the bank in person.
Rent in Sweden is usually paid once a month, in advance for the month to come. If you pay your invoices by an international transaction, make sure to add about a week for the payment to come through. It is important to pay your rent on time to fulfil your part of the contract. If you have a Swedish bank account, you can pay your bills via internet banking or mobile apps.
The university offers Swedish language courses at the levels A1/A2, B1, B2 and C1. These courses are for university employees only.
Depending on the number of participants the teaching format varies from individual or small group tutoring to a regular course format.
Please sign up as soon as possible and no later than the following deadlines:
The number of participants is limited and applications will be considered in the order they are received. Level placement will be based on the self-estimates of the participants. If you are uncertain of your level please use the contact details in the application form to book a consultation or a level placement test. In case of a lower number of participants we will try to offer individual or small group tutoring.
18.500 SEK per participant for a full course module (A1/A2 or B1 or B2). For the course A1 or A2 only: 10.000 SEK.
Please use the digital application form. If possible, provide a self estimate of your previous knowledge of Swedish. If you are not an absolute beginner, please try to describe your language level according to the common reference levels of the European Commission, ranging from A1 to C2.
If you are interested to know more, please use the contact details below.
Student counsellor: jonas.johansson@liu.se
Course coordinator: annika.lejon@liu.se
Director of Studies: per.simfors@liu.se
Welcome as LiU co-worker! This introductory programme is for anyone who is here for six months or longer and will help you prepare for your stay in Sweden and at LiU. Even if you already have been with LiU for a while, the information here can be very useful.
This part of the introduction programme is digital and consists of episodes from the Podcast “Work at LiU” and a short film. You can go through these at your convenience before you arrive in Sweden.
LISTEN
Episode one: LiU - an international university
Episode two: Michael Jury's move to Sweden
Episode three: HR and international staff
Listen to more episodes: Work at LiU podcast
Please view this informal film before your arrival to LiU.