Frequently Asked Questions

The Swedish education system is highly regarded, and the country invests heavily in education. To determine the suitability of a particular school for your child, it is recommended to visit the schools directly and gather information about their programs and offerings. 

It is advisable to register your child in a school close to your residence for convenience and ease of commuting. International House Gothenburg hosts the “Swedish school system” event once a year, and you can stay updated on upcoming events by subscribing to International House Gothenburg´s newsletter

To obtain a personal number, you need to visit skatteverket.se, the website of the Swedish Tax Agency. The registration process is relatively straightforward, and you can choose an office near you to initiate the registration. 

If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to contact the State Service Center (Statens Servicecenter) or Skatteverket offices. 

The initial step involves registering on the website of the Swedish Transport Agency, also known as Transportstyrelsen, and completing the form provided. If you receive a notification stating that registration with your personal number is not possible, please reach out by sending a message through the "Contact Us" section on the website or by calling +46771-81 81 81. 

They will assist you in adding your personal number so that you can proceed with the registration process. Subsequently, you will need to fill out a health declaration form and obtain an eye certificate, which can be scheduled with a licensed optician or an authorised driving school. 

Once you have completed the registration process and obtained the necessary health declaration and eye certificate, the next steps involve participating in Risk 1 and 2 courses. These courses are essential for obtaining a Swedish driving license. Additionally, you will need to register for the theory test and the driving test, which are key components of the licensing process.  

International House Gothenburg also provide workshops that offer valuable information on how to obtain a Swedish driving license. 
 

If you are studying at a university, you can also apply for student apartments. Gothenburg students can find more information on the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers websites. 

If you are studying in Borås, the university website has helpful information. In Trollhättan, the municipal landlord Eidar arranges accommodation for University West students; while the University of Skövde takes care of the application process for its students.

 Another useful site for international students is Housing Anywhere, where you can find rooms offered by other students.

The best strategy would be: 

• Keep your options open. 
• Use keywords related to your skills and competencies when searching for jobs. 
• Consider exploring job opportunities in different cities and don't hesitate to reach out to employers if you have any questions.
• Customise your CV for each job application and be open to internships as well. 
• Make sure that you have a well-written cover letter. 
• Expand your professional network. 
• Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is complete. 

Certainly, it is crucial to include a references section in your CV. However, it is recommended to add the phrase "References will be provided upon request" instead of listing specific individuals. This allows employers the option to contact your references as needed before finalising a hiring decision.

In Sweden, there is no fixed minimum wage. It's recommended to research salary range on scb.se. You can mention a salary amount based on your expectations, and it's advisable to express openness to negotiation and state that your request is flexible. Also, during salary negotiations, it's important to inquire about the benefits that the company provides. This presents an opportunity to negotiate not only the salary but also the additional perks and advantages offered by the company such as getting more paid holidays.

Most preschools are run by the municipality (kommun) and for these schools you apply for a place through your municipality. You can join the municipal queuing system at the earliest six months before your child needs a place. After four months, from when the application is received, the district where the child lives is required to offer a placement.

In Gothenburg applications are made through the municipality’s preschool administration (Förskoleförvaltningen). You can nominate five preschools where you would like your child to attend, and these can be across one or more of the city districts. 

The City of Gothenburg website has a full list of the city’s 500+ preschools, but the information is only available in Swedish. An alternative is to contact the City of Gothenburg by phone or email for more information and information in English. 

For more information, please check the website of your local municipality of residence. 

A "samordningsnummer" is a coordination number assigned to individuals who are not eligible for a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) but still require identification for certain purposes. 

It is issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and is primarily used for coordination and administration in various systems and processes. 

The samordningsnummer allows individuals to engage in limited activities such as opening a bank account, accessing healthcare services, and participating in the labour market. 

It is typically provided to individuals who are residing in Sweden temporarily or who do not meet the criteria for a personnummer. 

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Yes, it is possible to open a bank account without a personal number. However, the requirements and procedures may vary between different banks. It is advisable to contact the banks directly for specific information.