- Visa and Paperwork
Sweden is a top destination when it comes to higher education. Being among the world leaders in education, Swedish universities use teaching methods based on the principle of ‘freedom with responsibility’.
There are many reasons why international students choose to study a degree in Sweden. These
include the opportunity to follow a tuition-free program, if you are a student from the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
First of all: students from EU/EEA countries do not need to apply for a student visa or residence permit. However, if they stay in Sweden for more than a year – which is very likely considering the length of the study programmes – they must register in the Swedish population register and receive a personal identity number. Being an EU citizen means that you have the right to work, study or live in Sweden without having a residence permit. You will need a valid national identity card or passport when entering Sweden from another EU Schengen country. A driving licence does not qualify as a travel document and we recommend that you carry your passport with you in case you need to prove your identity. More information on travelling within the EU can be found on the European Commission’s website.
Students who are NOT from the EU/EEA must apply for a student visa or residence permit. But what is the difference between these two?
- A Student visa is for non-EU/EEA citizens who intend to stay and study in Sweden for less than 90 days.
- A residence permit is for non-EU/EEA citizens who will stay longer than 90 days for their studies in Sweden.
The terms “student visa” and “residence permit” are often used interchangeably, but keep in mind the difference between the two.
There are some conditions that you need to meet to be eligible for a student visa/residence permit:
- The undergraduate program you applied to must be full-time.
- You must have written confirmation of your admission. List of recognised universities in Sweden.
- It is recommended to pay the first instalment of tuition fees (only if there are fees to pay).
- If you are staying less than a year, you must have comprehensive health insurance.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
You can apply online at the Swedish Migration Agency’s website or at the local Swedish embassy or consulate in your country. If you choose to apply online, the processing time will start immediately and will be shorter, as the documents reach the Swedish Migration Agency directly.
This period is affected by the amount of information your file contains. You should make sure that your file contains all the required documents, so that you can avoid adding information after the application.
Visit the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country to have your photo taken and fingerprints taken and to receive your residence permit card.
The decision regarding your visa/permit to stay will be communicated via email and you will be asked to make an appointment and pick up the documents with the official decision. The decision document is also sent to your university.
You should apply for your student visa/residency permit as soon as possible, as the regular waiting time is about 2-3 months. When you apply for your visa at the local embassy, you should also submit the original versions of the required documents.
There’s also an interview you must complete when applying for a visa. This will take place at the embassy and you will have to book an appointment. Don’t forget to bring your passport and original copies of any other documents they might ask!
- Healthcare system
The Swedish health care system is based on the right to health, which means that it is a public system.
Students staying a year or more in Sweden must register with the Swedish Tax Agency to receive an ID number. Once students have their ID number they are covered by the Swedish National Health System. You can register by following this link:
https://www.skatteverket.se/servicelankar/otherlanguages/inenglish.4.12815e4f14a62bc048f4edc.html
If you are a student coming from non-EU/EEA countries, private health insurance is required to obtain a travel visa to Sweden, at least until you are properly registered by the Swedish Tax Agency. But in general, it is recommended to have private health coverage during the entire duration of your studies in Sweden. Subscribing to health insurance has rates that start at around 30€ per month.
With regard to the measures taken by Sweden to combat the spread of Covid-19, we know to date that there is no quarantine or buffer requirement for travellers from EU Member States and the Schengen area. For more information and all the latest updates, visit the website: https://www.government.se/government-policy/the-governments-work-in-response-to-the-virus-responsible-for-covid-1/
- Cost of living
Another thing you should know about Sweden is that the cost of living for students is higher than the European average. You should expect to spend between 700 and 1.200 €/month, depending on where you are. Here is a rough estimate of different cities:
Gothenburg and Stockholm: approximately 1 250€/month
Linkoping and Lund: approximately 850€/month
Uppsala: between 750€ and 1,200€/month
Most universities provide housing for their students, at least for the first year. Your academic institution may be the first place to start looking. It often provides useful information or it can help you get in touch with organizations that run student residences (or dorms). The dorms are great because you can meet both local and other international students. It’s easy to make friends and find people with similar interests, or completely different from you from whom you can learn new tips from all over the world. Prices range from 240 to 620€/month.
The second option is to rent a room in a shared apartment. You will usually end up paying between 350 and 700€/month. Although it is more expensive than a student room, you can choose where you want to live and you can share a large apartment with other students. This is a great way to reduce expenses and avoid feeling lonely, especially if it’s your first time living abroad.
What about the cost of food in Sweden? Expect to pay around 200€ for food every month. This depends on your eating habits, whether you cook or not, and so on. You can reduce your expenses if you buy groceries from cheap supermarkets, such as Lidl, Willy’s, or shops on the outskirts of town.
Eating in a Swedish takeout restaurant will cost you 8-10€. A three-course meal for two in an average restaurant costs around 45-65€. A light drink in a bar with your friends will cost you around 6€ per round.
In Sweden, public transport is very popular among students; about 40% of them use it to get to the university and other places in the city. Public transport fares for students cost about 40-55€ per month. You can also choose a bicycle for transportation! You can buy one for around 100€. About 27% of students in Sweden use a bicycle to get around the city. For miscellaneous costs, you should know that books and other study materials cost around 80€ per month. Additionally, you may also have to take into consideration the cost of health insurance (mandatory if you are not from the EU). If you are a social type, or want to become one, social activities and entertainment will amount to about 70-90€ per month (it’s worth it!).
