Can You Get A Job In Sweden Without Speaking Swedish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Can you get a job in Sweden without speaking Swedish? Many companies see it as a positive and might overlook the fact that you aren’t completely fluent, ending up considering you for the job. So in one word –

No! You don’t really have to know Swedish to come to study or even work in Sweden.

Can I get a job in Sweden if I only speak English?


If you have a degree with considerable academics and some job experience and can speak English, you can get a job easily within a few months or a year in Sweden

. However, knowing the local language of the country helps in getting more work options.

Do jobs in Sweden require Swedish?


Many jobs require fluency in Swedish

. Jobs that do not have this requirement are typically large international corporations based in Stockholm. However, even positions advertised as “English only” may give preference to those with at least a working knowledge of Swedish.

Is it easy for a foreigner to get a job in Sweden?

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and wish to work in Sweden,

in most cases you need a work permit

. The quickest and easiest way to apply for a work permit is to do it online. Applications over the internet go directly to the Swedish Migration Agency and are given priority.

Can you live in Sweden if you only speak English?


You can visit, study, work, and live in Sweden and get by with English only, as long as your job or studies do not require Swedish proficiency

. Swedes have a very high English proficiency, learn English from a young age in school, and usually love a chance to practice their English with a native English speaker.

Can I work with English in Sweden?

You will find it difficult to get a job without at least basic knowledge of Swedish; most jobs require fluency. There are some exceptions such as in higher technical professions or other sectors where highly skilled competence is required. Then,

English is often the working language

. You can learn Swedish online.

How hard is Swedish to learn?

Swedish is a category 1 language, according to the FSI. This means that learning it is just as easy for native English speakers as learning French or Spanish. So, this makes Swedish

one of the easiest languages to learn

. That’s very promising for those who want to begin their studies.

Is Sweden friendly to foreigners?


Yes. Swedish people are nice and helpful to foreigners but usually, they don’t bother entering personal space

. So, most of the time you will have to initiate the talk and then you may end up talking for hours.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Sweden?

The benchmark salary you need to live a comfortable life in Sweden is about

4,000 EUR or 42,000 SEK before taxes per month

. This amount will leave you about 32,130 SEK (3,064 EUR) after tax in Stockholm. With a gross salary of 50,000 SEK (4,769 EUR), you will belong to the Swedish upper-middle class.

How easy is it to move to Sweden?


The process of moving to Sweden is simple as long as you have all of the correct documents

. Like most aspects of moving to Sweden, if you are an EU citizen there is very little you will have to do. For example, EU nationals moving from within the EU to Sweden do not need to declare their goods at the Swedish border.

Is Sweden expensive to live in?


The cost of living in Sweden is quite high, particularly in the capital city of Stockholm, which is by far the most expensive place in the country

. In fact, Stockholm ranked 72nd out of 209 cities in the 2021 Mercer Cost of Living survey. This is a big jump from its 2020 ranking of 133rd.

What jobs are needed in Sweden?

  • architects.
  • civil engineers.
  • construction workers.
  • dentists.
  • firefighters.
  • interpreters.
  • lawyers.
  • medical secretaries.

How can I learn Swedish fast?

What should you not wear in Sweden?

Avoid wearing

loud and glitzy clothes

in favor of smart casual dress in muted or dark colors. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool and linen are more popular in Sweden than synthetic textiles.

Is English easy for Swedes?

Speak English in Sweden

Of course, integration in Sweden is much easier when you are able to understand and communicate with Swedes in their mother tongue, but you can actually come a rather long way with English in Sweden.

About 90% of all Swedes speak English

. Not just a little, you might be surprised how good it is.

Should I move to Norway or Sweden?

While Norway is certainly better for hard-core outdoor enthusiasts,

Sweden is a great choice for most people looking to explore Scandinavia for more than stunning scenery

. If you want great food, good public transportation and a bit of cash savings, Sweden could be your more suitable option.

How much is rent in Sweden?

Short-term Price per night Long-term Rent per month
One-bedroom apartment (city centre)


9000–12,000 SEK
One-bedroom apartment (suburbs) 7000–10,000 SEK Student dorm/apartment 3000–6500 SEK

What is a high salary in Sweden?

A person working in Sweden typically earns around 45,100 SEK per month. Salaries range from 11,400 SEK (lowest average) to

201,000 SEK

(highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits.

Should I move to Sweden?


Sweden is a wonderful place to live with its kind people, excellent public services and corporate culture that encourages people to have a good work-life balance

. It is no surprise that many people decide to move to Scandinavia’s largest country to enjoy all of the things that Sweden has to offer.

How fast can I learn Swedish?

According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you’ll need

about 750 hours of study to become fluent in Swedish

. This means that if you dedicate 12-15 hours a week to studying, you’ll be able to speak like a pro in just a year!

What does Basta mean in Swedish?

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) Swedish term or phrase: Bästa. English translation:

Dear

.

What’s the hardest language to learn?

1.

Mandarin Chinese

. Interestingly, the hardest language to learn is also the most widely spoken native language in the world. Mandarin Chinese is challenging for a number of reasons.

Is dancing illegal in Sweden?

Dance permits’ were introduced as a way for Swedish police to prevent public disorder which led to riots. Luckily the law doesn’t apply to tourists in Sweden.

It is not criminal to dance for customers

, but it is of course funny that a restaurant or bar owners can be charged for ‘illegal dancing’ in the year 2017.

Is Sweden depressing?


Sweden had the fifth highest rate of antidepressant use in OECD countries (behind Iceland, Portugal, Canada and Australia) in 2019

. Over 10 percent of the population used some form of antidepressant last year. Sweden’s youth are at the highest risk of depression in Europe, according to a study by Eurofound.

Is English widely spoken in Sweden?

English might not be the official language in Sweden, but

almost everyone in Sweden excels at speaking it

. In 2017 Sweden ranked 2nd out of 80 countries in the EF English Proficiency Index ↗️ (EF EPI), which measures the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries.

Is it cheaper to live in Sweden than us?


United States is 2.2 times more expensive than Sweden

.

Is housing free in Sweden?


If you are between 18 and 28, you can get housing allowance for housing costs exceeding SEK 1,800 and for a maximum surface area of 60 m2 of dwelling space

. The most you can receive is SEK 1,300. You must live and be registered at the address where you are applying for the allowance.

Is education free in Sweden?

Sweden.

Only students pursuing research-based doctoral degrees get free tuition in Sweden

; some programs of study even offer stipends to international students. Nevertheless, students should be aware that Sweden’s high cost of living may put them over budget, even when they pay nothing to earn their degrees.

What is the easiest country to immigrate to?

What are the pros and cons of living in Sweden?

  • Education Is Almost Free. …
  • Excellent Working Environment. …
  • Fast Internet Access. …
  • Extensive Healthcare Opportunities. …
  • Gender Equality and Individual Liberty. …
  • No Free Tuition If You Move to Sweden. …
  • High Taxes.

Is Sweden cheaper than Canada?


Canada is 97.0% more expensive than Sweden

.

Can you study in Sweden without knowing Swedish?

Can you get a job in Sweden?

The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) offers support to people looking for work. It offers information, advice and support. Then

there are many privately run job sites commonly used to find a job in Sweden

.

How can I find a job in Stockholm?

Finding work in Stockholm

One site specifically for English-speaking jobseekers is

www.jobsinstockholm.com

, which also includes professional jobs in other parts of Sweden and useful tips for English-speaking job-hunters. Many jobs with start-ups appear in forums and networks, including Startupjobs.se and The Hub.

Can you get a job in Sweden?

The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) offers support to people looking for work. It offers information, advice and support. Then

there are many privately run job sites commonly used to find a job in Sweden

.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.