Hi everyone welcome back! We’re covering Sweden today. Why? Because it’s one of the hottest job destinations for foreign workers today and more importantly, it’s actively looking for foreign workers to fill in labour shortages and also, the competition is less vs countries like the UK or the US, so naturally, if you aren’t the best in your industry or the most amazing candidate in your field, you stand a much better chance in Sweden if you want to move out of your country.
We’re going to be talking about the average salary in Sweden, the cost of living so you can decide if this makes sense for you financially, the best and worst paying jobs, the most popular jobs for foreigners to be hired, top job boards and agencies, visa options, costs and processing time and more so stick around till the end.
If you’re new I’m Ashika and I talk about moving across the world to work and with that, let’s dive in!
Sweden is one of the most advanced economies in Europe, known for its innovation, high standard of living, and strong welfare system. The country is home to global companies like IKEA, Volvo, and Ericsson. It boasts a stable economy with low unemployment rates and a robust demand for skilled professionals in various sectors. Additionally, Sweden is a leader in sustainability, technology, and healthcare, making it an attractive destination for foreign workers.
Average Salary in Sweden and Cost of Living
The average salary in Sweden is approximately 33,000 SEK per month before taxes. However, salaries vary by profession and experience.
Cost of Living for a Single Person: Around 12,000–15,000 SEK per month, including rent, food, and transportation.
Cost of Living for a Family of Four: Typically ranges from 25,000–30,000 SEK per month, depending on lifestyle and location.
Housing costs can vary significantly, with cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg being more expensive than smaller towns. Keep in mind that Sweden’s high taxes are balanced by free healthcare, education, and other social benefits.
Highest and Lowest Paid Jobs in Sweden
Highest Paid Jobs:
Medical professionals (e.g., doctors and surgeons): 70,000–100,000 SEK/month
IT specialists and software engineers: 50,000–70,000 SEK/month
Financial analysts and managers: 60,000–80,000 SEK/month
Lowest Paid Jobs:
Hospitality and restaurant staff: 20,000–25,000 SEK/month
Retail workers: 20,000–25,000 SEK/month
Cleaning and maintenance workers: 18,000–22,000 SEK/month
Jobs Facing Labour Shortages in Sweden & Most Popular Jobs for Foreigners
Labour Shortages:
Healthcare (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists)
IT and technology (software developers, data scientists, AI specialists)
Construction (engineers, architects, skilled laborers)
Education (teachers, especially in science and math)
Popular Jobs for Foreigners:
English teachers
Customer service roles in international companies
Hospitality and tourism
Seasonal jobs in agriculture and forestry
Swedish Job Boards for Foreigners
Finding a job in Sweden is easier with the right tools. Here are some popular job boards:
Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service): Government-run platform.
englishjobsearch.se: Tons of jobs across sectors and you can filter based on the locations that interest you like Stockholm or Uppsala
The Local: Focused on English-speaking jobs in Sweden.
LinkedIn: Widely used for professional networking and job searches.
EURES: A European job mobility portal.
Indeed Sweden: Comprehensive listings for various roles.
Most Popular Job Agencies in Sweden
Academic Work: Specializes in young professionals and graduates.
Manpower Sweden: Offers jobs in various industries.
Adecco Sweden: Focuses on temporary and permanent placements.
Randstad: A leading agency for skilled professionals.
TNG Group: Known for unbiased and inclusive recruitment.
Visa Options
Work Permit: For skilled workers with a job offer from a Swedish employer.
EU Blue Card: And in case you don’t know what the EU blue card is, An EU Blue Card gives highly-qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree, and an employment contract or a binding job offer for at least one year with a high salary compared to the average in the EU country where the job is. The EU Blue Card applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries
Job Seeker Visa: The job seeker visa in Sweden allows you to move to Sweden for 3-9 months without a job if you have completed studies corresponding to an advanced level degree. You can obtain a residence permit to come to Sweden and look for work or explore the possibilities for starting your own business.
If you’re finding it challenging to find a sponsored job from your home country, this is an option you can consider, it will give you an insight into the local job market, allow for in person interviews and improve your chances.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit: For employees transferring within the same company.
Note: Non-EU/EEA nationals need a valid job offer before applying for a work permit.
Visa Cost
Work permit application fee: 2,200 SEK (approx. 190 EUR)
EU Blue Card fee: 2,000 SEK
Residence permit for highly qualified persons to look for work or start a business: 2,200 SEK
Additional costs may include document translations and travel expenses for biometric appointments.
Processing Time
Now the brilliant part is that these visas don’t take long.
Standard work permit processing: 1–3 months.
EU Blue Card processing: Approximately 90 days.
Processing times may vary based on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications received.
Sweden offers incredible opportunities for foreigners looking to build their careers in a progressive and innovative environment. From a high standard of living to rewarding job prospects, Sweden has a lot to offer. If you’re planning to make the move, take the first step by exploring the job boards, networking on LinkedIn, and understanding the visa process.
I hope this was helpful! Good luck with your job hunt in Sweden, until next time!
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