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LiU card

The LiU card is a campus card for students and employees with multiple functions. The card can be used as an access card on the campuses, as a borrower’s card at all LiU libraries to obtain print-outs and copying services, and for in-service travel on the campus bus.
Authorised access to premises and the information about you will remain active as long as you are a co-worker (or registered student) at LiU.

Unions

There are several different unions you can join as a staff member at LiU. Here are some examples of unions that are active at LiU:

SULF

The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF) is a non-political organisation and the only professional and union association that is completely dedicated to the professional and work-related issues of doctoral candidates, research staff and university teachers. They negotiate, inform, debate and influence the development of higher education and research.
Read more: The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers

Saco

Saco, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations, is a politically independent central organisation with 21 unions. Saco promotes its members' interests and supports its unions through analyses, debates and shaping opinion. The confederation conducts studies and publishes reports, arranges seminars and activities, and participates in many different contexts in order to influence political decision-making.
Read more: Saco 

ST

Fackförbundet ST (the Union of Civil Servants) is Sweden’s only union that solely focuses on organising employees within state agencies. ST is convinced that everyone benefit from being members in the same union rather than belonging to different unions based on profession.
Read more: Fackförbundet ST

Prepare for your visit to the service office

ID card

It is recommended that you apply for an ID card when you receive 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

Medical Information Services: dial 1177

In case of an emergency: dial 112

Pharmacies

Dentists

As soon as you get your Swedish personal identity number ask the Swedish Tax Agency for an "A-skattesedel" (in Swedish) and give it to the Payroll Office, Building D, Campus Valla.

Read more about tax information for monthly employees (PDF)

Everyone who lives and works 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. There are some exceptions to the regular tax system and 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

Staying in Sweden for a shorter period

Staying in Sweden for a longer period

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 the 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 sets its own routines and rules for opening an account and you can prepare by reading on their webpage what documents they request.
To open an account, the following normally must be provided:

• A valid passport.
• Employment contract, acceptance letter or certificate of studies and documents must contain information about the intended stay.
• Your Swedish work permit or Swedish residence permit.
• Proof of residence such as rental agreement, electric bill, or a C/O address. 

Staying in Sweden for one year or longer

If you plan to stay longer than a year you have access to features such as BankID, which 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

• Danske bank (only in Swedish)
• Swedbank
• Handelsbanken
• SEB
• Nordea
• Länsförsäkringar Östgöta

If the bank denies you to hand in an application or open a bank account

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.

Register your account number with Swedbank as soon as you have started your employment

In order to ensure that your salary (or other reimbursements) is paid into the correct account, you must, as soon as you get your LiU-id, register your account number with Swedbank. You must do this, no matter which bank you use. If this is not done, there is a risk that you will receive your salary in the form of a giro form. Remember that you must personally be the account holder (or joint account holder) of the account you register.

Read more:
Swedbank account registration (pdf)
I want to register my account number on a form (pdf). Applies to those with a foreign account. Send the form to Linköping University, Payroll Office, 581 83 Linköping or leave it to the Payroll Office in D Building, Campus Valla.

If you do not have or are waiting for a Swedish bank account it is good to have money transferred to the bank account you used before you got here. You can also get your paycheck as a check. Once you have arranged a Swedish bank account you can go to your bank and deposit your check there. If you use your bank account in your home country contact the Payroll Office through lon@liu.se.

When you get your Swedish personal identity number, send the document, with the Swedish personal identity number to Linköping University, Payroll Office, 581 83 Linköping or you can hand it over directly to the Payroll Office in Building D, Campus Valla. Also register your bank account number at Swedbank (read instructions above) or visit a Swedbank or Sparbank office and give them the details of your bank account.

Leaving Sweden

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.

How to pay rent and bills

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:

• Spring semester courses: 15 January for the regular spring semester courses and 10 December for the intensive courses in January.
• Autumn semester courses: 18 August for the regular autumn semester courses and 16 June for the intensive courses in August. 

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.

Application

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.

Contact

If you are interested to know more, please use the contact details below.

Student counsellor: jonas.johansson@liu.se
Course coordinator: monika.lopez.wall@liu.se
Director of Studies: per.simfors@liu.se

Swedish language courses for those not employed, e.g. fellowships, by LiU

Other websites relating to courses in Swedish:

• sweden.se: Learning Swedish
• learningswedish.se: a free online course for beginners
  Learning Swedish is a free online course in Swedish for beginners with material for self-study for adult learners. It is your fast track to learning Swedish wherever you live. The course gives basic spoken and written knowledge of the Swedish language, as well as an insight into Swedish culture and society. All instructions are given in English.
• Klartext: news in easy-to-understand Swedish (listening and reading).