Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance, and mortgages, you can contact me here.

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

The Philippines is one of the destinations for retirement, not just in South East Asia but the whole world. In fact, the government of this country has supported expat in several ways. From the diverse and bustling cities to different outdoor activities, the benefits of moving to this country cannot be overemphasized.

With the brilliant weather, low cost of living, and English-speaking people around the cities, you’d want to live in the Philippines. Whatever life you’re looking for, you’ll undoubtedly find it here. Besides, it’s crowded cities to the solitude of pristine, deserted beaches, museums, and contemporary arts and style.

With a population of 110 million, the Philippines have been ranked as the 13^th most populous country in the world. Meanwhile, the population is evenly split among urban dwellers, rural, and those living in the country. Other large metros in this country include Cebu and Davao, with a population of 3 million and 2.5 million, respectively.

If you’ve been surfing the internet to get the right information about living in the Philippines as an expat, look no further. As of early 2021, it was estimated that the population of the Philippines lives in a good standard of living. However, many other changes have been made to improve the living conditions.

In this article, we will walk you through the ultimate guide to living in the Philippines as an expat. Aside from this fact, we will walk you through the ten facts about the Philippines ‘ living conditions. And afterward, you’ll understand the pros and cons of living in this country. Would you love to know more? Read further!

Interesting Facts about Living in the Philippines

Many people aren’t aware that there are so many things to explore in the Philippines. Filipinos have a good sense of humour, and they even know how to laugh at themselves more than any country would do. In this article, we’re going to tell you some interesting facts about living in the Philippines. Check it out now!

1.    Extremely Sociable People

We mean that the Filipinos are extremely sociable to the extent that they name the country as the texting capital of the world. This is because; it’s one of the most notable countries that send around 400 million text messages every day, corresponding to 142 billion sentences a year. However, this number is more than the combined number of daily text messages sent in the United States and Europe.

2.    Passion for Boxing

The Philippines remains one of the countries that have a passion for boxing. In fact, whenever a world-famous Filipinos fighter has a televised fight, it always seems like a national holiday in the country. And this is due to the absence of cars on the roads and even people in the mall. Besides, the Philippines national police have reported several times that there’s a drop in crime each time Pacquiao has a fight.

3.    Home to Longest Subterranean Rivers

Research has made it known that the Philippines are home to one of the longest subterranean rivers in the world. This astonishing geography fact has continued drawing millions of tourists who come to marvel at the natural wonders. So, expat can visit this country because of the unique wonders of the river.

4.    English is Widely Spoken Here

Another interesting fact about the Philippines is that the English language is widely spoken. While Tagalog is their local language, there are many as 185 individual dialects in the country. Therefore, you can get to see a lot of people speaking English. Moreover, 181 of these dialects are still used, but the other four are already considered obsolete.

5.    Catholicism Coexists Peacefully

The Philippines is also among the country whereby Catholicism coexists peacefully with ancient beliefs. Even though the citizens are predominantly catholic, Holy Week celebrations in the country could get gory and bloody. And this is because; catholic beliefs are already so intertwined with ancient customs. What’s even more unusual here is that penitents can ask to be crucified on the cross voluntarily.

6.    Christmas is the Longest Holiday

Surprisingly, Christmas is the longest holiday in the Philippines. The celebration usually starts in September, as malls already play holiday songs and shopping bazaars begin to sprout throughout the country. On the flip side, Filipinos love to celebrate Christmas, and they’d filled their home with tons of decorations from September. Additionally, there are also a lot of religious activities in this period.

7.    Home to Best Singers in the World

From our research, we discovered that the Philippines are the best singers in the world. We also noticed that these folks are genetically programmed to be fantastic singers from the moment they leave the womb. Yet, they’re so humble with this fact, and they have been doing well to backing top musicians. Moreover, Karaoke is so popular in the country to the extent that locals use it to promote grocery items.

8.    Jeepney Mode of Transportation

This is another thing that made the Philippines a popular destination for expats. Jeepneys are so famous in the country as a way to get around. While they’re super crowded, passengers enjoy their trips. And their valuables are safe away from prying hands because pickpocketing is common in public/crowded areas.

9.    Filipinos Avoid Having 3 Steps

One of the fascinating superstitions in the Philippines includes avoiding stairs the contain multiple of three. According to the country’s history, this sign means that it symbolizes death. Therefore, staircases avoiding ending just three steps or multiples could be dangerous while living in the Philippines.

10. World’s Supplier of Nurses

As of today, the Philippines are known to be the world’s largest supplier of nurses. Amazingly, tons of those nurses that you actually encounter in your day-to-day experience are actually from the Philippines. For decades, these nurses have flocked to the United States for work with a highly Americanized education system. With that being said, Filipinos have long existed with the best nurses.

Pros and Cons of Living in the Philippines

Some will hate the country, while others will have tons of reasons to come back or even resides in the Philippines. Regardless of these reasons, you should understand that the pros of living in the Philippines still outweigh the cons. Without further ado, let’s quickly walk you through the pros and cons of living.

Pros

Personal Improvement in the Philippines

A special adventure to improve your lifestyle is one of the reasons to relocate to the Philippines. For westerners, you may think that you’ve reached the ceiling of your life if you have lived in the United States, but you’ll definitely see some changes while relocating to the Philippines. And as the citizens become more social, their mentality changes, helping them improve their wellbeing and thought.

Favorable Climate or Weather

You’ll definitely see or experience good weather almost all year round in the country. While you’ll think that summers are hot and perfect for toasting in the sand of some amazing beaches, there is more to explore than the typical sunbathing in your home country. Since the climate of the Philippines is like summer all year long, you can make any plan during your stay in this country.

Closer Remote Countries

When you come to the Philippines, places like Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Bali, and many others should be your next vacation. This is solely because; you can go to these countries without difficult visa requirements. Besides, the cost is quite small, and you can get a visit to countries in other South East Asia.

Home to 3D Academy

Another incredible benefit of living in the Philippines is the 3D Academy that offers multiple 1:1 classes to help you improve in your current language. If you’re not from the western world, you can overcome your weaknesses in the English language at a very competitive price. Moreover, the 3D Academy is becoming one of the countries to study English for its price-quality comparison and destination.

Filipinos Girls Are Hot

It’s no doubt that there are many beautiful girls in the Philippines. Besides, they routinely dominate international beauty pageants, bringing pride and joy to the locals. While the ladies are akin to national obsession, they made history when Alonzo Wurtzbach became the 64^th Miss Universe and the third woman from the Philippines to hold the tile.

The Philippines Services Are Cheap

One of the greatest advantages of living in the Philippines as of today’s modern world is because of the cheap services. In the Philippines, services such as massages, manicures, haircuts are cheap for $5 compared to other countries in Europe and America. Moreover, massage places are all over the country. From luxury spas to the exclusive beach and low-cost service providers, you’ll enjoy living in the country.

It’s a Great Expat Community

We are sure that you’d definitely want to live in a country that appreciates expats, right? Of course, that’s a YES! And the Philippines are one of a king. This is because; they welcome foreigners, and they even allow the foreigners to do innovative things and contribute to the country’s growth.

Cons

Bad Wi-Fi Network

One of the problems you can experience in the country is that the wifi is sucks. This is because; the wifi connection is really far from strong in most places, even when they tell you they have good wifi. However, if you’re planning to relocate to this country, make sure you reside in a place with good wifi.

Living Expenses

Living in the Philippines and living in a prime location means money. The cost of living or apartments and condominiums are definitely high compared to other part of the world. However, eating in a restaurants every day can pile up your bill. This way, you can fix yourself to know what works for you while living in the country.

Noise in the Philippines

Noise could be one of the most annoying things in this country. And trust me, you’d definitely see a place that there’s noise in the Philippines. In fact, the malls have quite a bit of loud music, which could affect your stay in the country. So, be prepared for this con if you’re just relocating for the first time.

National Public Holidays in the Philippines

Cost of Living in the Philippines

As with anywhere in the world, the cost of living in the Philippines will greatly depend on the kind of lifestyle you choose. If you live like a local, eat where they eat, you can get by on a monthly budget that’d sustain you while living in the country. However, the bigger your budget, the more you spend.

Since rent will be your biggest expense, it’s essential to find the best real estate agent for proper accommodations. Moreover, if you like to live in the city, you should prepare for a bigger budget. As a bonus, rents are higher, but you can get a one-bedroom, furnished apartment for under $760.

Furthermore, no matter where you choose to live, you won’t have to purchase your own vehicle. This is due to the fact that the Philippines are known for their kooky modes of public transport, and they’re so cheap that many people can forgo other means of transportation in the Philippines. Below is a detailed analysis or description of the cost of living in this country.

Visa Applications for Expats in the Philippines

Moving to the Philippines is a great idea for those who love diverse cultures and a low cost of living. Generally, for expats looking to live abroad in the Philippines, there are a few options of visa applications. Without much talk, let’s quickly walk you through the type of visa available for expats.

Non-Immigration Visa

Non-immigration kind of visa allows expat to apply when they’re looking to work or study abroad in the Philippines. This kind of visa is valid as long as the conditions under which it is approved are met. However, to receive this work permit, you will need to have found employment in the country already.

Non-Quota Immigration Visa

The non-quota immigration visa is meant for those who are married to Filipino citizens. Not only that but it is also granted to those that are natural-born Filipinos returning to the country. While the quota immigrant visa is an investor type of visa given to those with a specialized skill set and who have enough capital to make significant, positive changes in the country.

Special Residence Retiree Visa

The special residence retiree visa is suitable for expats that want to retire in the Philippines. To retire in this country, some of the things to consider include; be at least 35 years old, and you’ll need to make a bank deposit of $50,000. If you’re over the age of 50 and receive a pension, you may be required to deposit $10,000 as long as it’s up to $800 per month.

Interesting Places to Visit in the Philippines

The Philippines is a destination that’s easy to visit. While this place is among the best destinations for expats, there are wonderful places to enjoy outdoor activities. Do you plan to travel around but wondering where to go in the country? Worry less, and take a look at the best places we listed below.

Boracay Island

Boracay Island is considered the beach capital of the country because there are more than 12 beaches in this area. More so, this tiny island is ideal for beach-goers that are after simple relaxation in the water activities or sun. For a panoramic view of this island, you can take a day trip to Mount Luho, the highest point in the Philippines.

The Island of Cebu

The Island of Cebu is another place to visit. It is considered the port to some of the best diving and snorkeling in the country. Also, if you’re an underwater enthusiast, Cebu is one of your best options for excursions that can get you close to whale sharks, sea turtles, coral reefs, and many other animals.

Bantay Bell Tower in Vigan

The Bantay Belltower is also one of the best places to visit in the country. This is because; the historical city is one of the most charming towns to visit in the Luzon region. You can take a ride in a horse-drawn kalesa through the streets and admire the colonial architecture in the country. More so, the best view of this are from the Bantay Bell Tower, and a visit to the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is a perfect spot.

Capital City of Manila

We can say that your relocation isn’t complete without a visit to the manila city in the Philippines. There are many things to do in Manila. Some of these include; visiting the San Agustin Church and Museum, a glance to the Chinatown, visitation to Ayala Museum, manila baywalk, Fort Santiago, and many others, to mention a few.

Palawan Island

Palawan Island is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines. This place is an island province that stretches from Mindoro to Borneo between the South China and Sulu seas.  In this place, you can have a look at the underground river; explore Japanese shipwrecks from World War II and many other, to mention a few.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Philippines

Is the Philippines a good place to resides?

Of course, yes! We can tell you that the Philippines are a good place to reside. This is because; the locals are extremely sociable. And with the country’s tropical climate and steadily growing economy, the Philippines are quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia.

What is considered rich in the Philippines?

It takes a lot of money to be among the high net worth individuals in the Philippines. On the flip side, if you want to achieve wealthy elite status, you’ll need around P5 000,000 in annual pre-tax income to be in the 1 percent and about P1, 300,000 to be in the 10 percent.

How do I get around in the Philippines?

Living near your workplace is recommended if you’re relocating to the Philippines. The cheapest and most used form of transportation is the jeepney, as mentioned in the article. Other options to get around in the city include the railway system, motorbikes, cabs, and other means of transportation that are convenient for you.

Do I need to learn the Philippines language?

The Philippines ‘ official language is Filipino. However, the majority in Metro Manila speak Tagalog but there are tons of dialects in the country. This means you can still find it easy to communicate in the English language while living in the Philippines. This is because; many Filipinos are proficient in English.

Is Philippines medical care good?

Of course, yes! Many public hospitals are available throughout the Philippines. In fact, Filipinos enjoy a healthcare plan called PhilHealth which reduces their medical bills. So, when it comes to medical care, the Philippines are an attractive place for expats because of the low cost of living, friendly locals, and business opportunities.

How much is the Philippine cost of living?

Well, from what we’ve stated above, the Philippines still remains one of the countries with the lowest cost of living. The price or the cost of living in this country depends on your lifestyle and location in the country.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever thought of relocating to one of the best sociable countries in the world, look no further. The Philippines government has a whole department that encourages expats to retire. They have a fast accelerating economy, and you’ll definitely enjoy your stay in this country. Nonetheless, refer to this guide for more information about living in the Philippines.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance, and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Are you trying to tick off “Sweden” off your travel bucket list? Perhaps moving to Sweden has to do with seeing the royal palaces for yourself? If only you could step down the plane with your luggage of Nordic attires and a mind full of the do’s and don’t of the Swedes.

But right now, here you are, with zero guides on how to move to Sweden as an expat, however, worry less, your goal of being a Swedish expat lies in the detailed information this article is going to provide.

Aside from its beautiful traditional attires as popularly seen in movies depicting an 80s vibe, Sweden is a hub for foreigners to explore its aesthetic nature, stunning architectural designs, and unique cultural arts.

However, with the coronavirus pandemic, there are certain restrictions placed in some Sweden locations, thus as an expat, your covid-19 certificate should be among your travel essentials to gain you access into the country.

So, are you ready to explore the country of royal palaces and monuments? This article has got you covered with the right guide to make your move to Sweden a smooth flight. Let’s get you Swedish.

What to Know Before Moving To Sweden

Moving to a foreign country goes beyond knowing the best diners or fun places to visit. There is necessary information needed to equip yourself for easy relocation. Hence, let’s dive into the mini details to know before moving to Sweden.

• Sweden’s capital city is Stockholm
• The currency is Swedish Krona
• The official language is Swedish
• The total population is 10.23 million
• Expat population includes 900, 000
• The biggest cities in Sweden are Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo
• Dialing code is +46

Since we’ve established the mini information about Sweden, let’s dive into the major details you need to know before moving to Sweden as an expat.

1.    Get your Swedish Visa

Applying for a Schengen Visa for Sweden depends on your reason behind the relocation. The process behind acquiring a visa for schooling or work differs. However, the general guide to applying for a Sweden Visa as an expat includes;

• You will need a travel and medical insurance
• Proof of your accommodation.
• Purpose of your move to Sweden.
• Proof of your financial stability.

However, since Sweden falls under the EU countries, these rules exempt EU Nationals.  Thus, if you don’t fall under the EU Nationals, you’d need to apply for your Visa via the Sweden Consulate in your country.

2.    Know your Legal Rights as an Emigrant

 Human rights, in general, is a fundamental policy in Sweden, renowned for establishing liberal rights like gender equality and lengthy maternal or parental breaks for their employees. Nonetheless,  it is still necessary to research further on the European or Sweden rights of emigrants.

3.    Plan your Financial Budget

Although moving to Sweden is exciting, don’t let your excitement cloud your financial judgement. Your financial stability is amongst the key elements that gets you a Sweden Visa; thus, plan your financial budget around Sweden’s cost of living, which we will dive into later in this article.

4.    Learning the Swedish Language

Although the official language of Sweden is Swedish, you can learn the basic phrases if you plan on working there as it helps you relate better with your colleagues. Nonetheless, you don’t have to spend sleepless nights trying to learn Swedish as eighty percent of swedes are well versed in English.

Why Sweden is the Top Destination for Expat?

Does Sweden top your list of countries for a fresh start? Well, you’ve booked the right flight. The Scandinavian nation ranks amongst the top ten happiest countries and has the 16^th  highest life expectancy from birth globally.

So, what makes Sweden one of the top countries for a happy expat life? Let’s find out.

1.    The Fika Culture

Fika is a Swedish culture that translates to a “cake and coffee break”; however, the Fika culture goes beyond just stocking up on caffeine; it is also a “date” like a routine that entails finding time for friends to strengthen bonds and detox from the stress of life.

What’s spells out happiness as a Swedish expat? A coffee and cake time!

2.    The Cuisines

As an expat, training your taste buds to get used to cuisine can be a hassle; however, with the Swedish delicacies, your taste buds will require no getting used to. Sweden is renowned for its tasty pastries such as the Kanelbular and the Lussekatter.

3.       Rapid Internet Connection

In a world of technological innovations, the internet connection is a travel necessity. Sweden hits the internet speed chart in the world as the fifth country with the fastest internet connection. Hence, you can be rest assured of a steady internet connection to help you navigate through the maps or other purposes.

4.    Aesthetic Nature and stunning Destinations

The aesthetic scenery in Sweden makes it a paradise for tourists. It is a hub for nature sights such as the Stockholm archipelago, northern lights, midnight sun, the vibrant city life of middle Sweden, stunning landscapes, and coastlines in southern Sweden.

Other notable destinations include;

• The Liseberg theme park
• The Vasa museum
• The Skansen traditional museums
• The Drottningholm palace
• The Lapland ice hotel

5.    The Music

From the ABBA pop group Ace of base to Zara Larsson electrifying vocals, Sweden is among the top countries with active pop music talent. Being the third-largest pop music exporter in the world, it is safe to say your playlist is going to be on repeat.

6.    The Shopping Luxury

There’s no denying that shopping incites a sense of calm within the body, especially if it falls within your budget. Aside from being the home of IKEA’S founder, Sweden is known for its luxurious shopping malls with reasonable prices. Thus, you can explore stores like the Mall of Scandinavia without moving past your budget.

Understanding the Swedes

It is vital to understand the personality of the swedes to avoid awkward communications once you move to Sweden. We will list a few behavioral tips to help you understand the Swedish people; however, keep in mind that not all behavior correlates with every Swede, as people relate differently.

1.    The Swedes Are Calm and Humble People

Known for their humble and egalitarian nature, the Swedes rarely exhibit negative emotions such as anger or aggressiveness, thus as an expat, if you’re naturally kind and compassionate, you’ve won the hearts of a million swedes.

2.    The Swedes Are Softly Spoken

In addition to being calm, the swedes are known to speak calmly and respectfully. Rather than airing their opinions, the swedes prefer listening to others talk. So, if you are looking for someone to listen and comprehend what you say, the swedes have the perfect ears.

3.       They Detest Arrogance

Lack of gratitude for a gift from a Swede or excessive talking about your achievements gives off a red light of arrogance to them. Thus, avoid being flashy or boastful as a Swedish expat.

4.    They Work in Moderation

Aside from the Fika culture, the Swedes don’t fall under the “work hard” category. They believe in working with moderation and finding time in between to rest for more productivity. Due to this, the Swedish children are raised with the notion that they are all equal, thus avoiding competitions within them.

Do’s And Don’t Of The Swedish Culture

Moving to Sweden requires understanding the culture as you wouldn’t want to bring your cultural etiquettes to people who are not familiar with it. We are going to list few tips to help you understand the do’s and don’t of the Swedish culture.

1.    Maintain Personal Space

The Swedes are naturally egalitarian, which makes them overprotective of their personal space, thus avoid unnecessary proximity that invades the space of a Swede.

2.    Be Professional

In instances whereby you moved to Sweden for work purposes, it is necessary to maintain a firm handshake with eye contact. Avoid addressing your hosts by their first names as seen in the U.S, instead address them professionally by their titles and surnames.

3.    Stay Calm in Every Situation

As stated earlier, the swedes are softly spoken, thus amid negotiations, always stay calm and collected, which diffuses the tense atmosphere, thus inciting respect for you from the swedes.

4.    Be Authentic

The Swedish culture naturally gives off authenticity and expects the same from others. You don’t have to channel an inner swede within you forcefully; always be authentic and speak straightforwardly.

5. Be Punctual

Tardiness is an attitude that isn’t naturally appreciated; however, the Swedish culture emphasizes punctuality regardless if it’s a business meeting, school day, or casual hangouts.

6.    Dress Simple

Due to the egalitarian culture of Sweden, avoid flashy outfits or jewelry as this gives off a negative vibe of arrogance and shows off to the swedes. You can always put on your Gucci’s and Michael Kors but in a less flashy manner.

7.    Always Bring Gifts During an Invite

The Swedish culture takes gifting as an important etiquette, as the swedes are naturally givers. Hence, when invited to the home of a Swede, always take gifts like flowers or chocolates if your host has little kids who might be a family member as well.

8.    Maintain Good Guest Etiquettes

The Sweden culture also applies to being invited to their homes; these guest culture etiquettes includes;

• You don’t eat until your host says “varsagod,” which translates to “go ahead, or here you are”
• Keep your hands on the table in view while eating
• Always keep the knife in your right hand and the fork in the left
• Don’t leave leftovers on your plate as the swedes consider uneaten food to be a rude gesture
• Show gratitude for the food and invitation before leaving

National Public Holidays in Sweden

Planning your big move to Sweden should also incorporate a list of Swedish holidays and traditions. If there’s one thing Sweden is known for, it’s the emphasis on celebrations and relaxations, and we’ve got you covered on these holidays.

Kraftskiva Crayfish Party

Kraftskiva was created as a result of crayfish popularly eaten in the 1500s. The crayfish party, usually celebrated in the half of August, entails wearing funny bibs and paper hats while sucking on crayfish with schnapps and beer on the side.

Easter

As the Easter date isn’t fixed, the Swedish Easter holiday is celebrated on a Monday in April. This holiday has children dressing up as Easter witches, obtaining sweets and Easter eggs in a door-to-door visit.

Walpurgis Even

Walpurgis Eve is celebrated on the 30^th of April and entails large bonfires lit in the evening accompanied by songs to mark the end of winter and welcome the arrival of spring.

Midsummer Celebration

The Sweden midsummer celebration is celebrated on a Friday of the last week of June. This celebration entails raising wreaths on a pole, picking flowers, and the women wearing adorned midsummer flower crowns.

Sweden’s National Day

Celebrated on the 6^th of June to commemorate the election of Gustav Vasa as king, the Swedes wear blue and yellow to dominate the day and celebrate New Swedish citizens as well.

Other National holidays include; St Lucia day, Nobel day, Studenten, Christmas, and New year’s Eve.

Cost of Basic Living Necessities in Sweden

As stated earlier, before moving to Sweden as an expat, you’d need to acquire a Schengen Visa that requires your purpose of moving, proof of your accommodation, financial subsistence, and a residence permit if you plan to stay more than 90days.

Thus, we’ve put together the cost of living necessities in Sweden like food, apartment, and transport to help plan your financial stability before moving.

Accommodation

Sweden cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg are known to have expensive living utilities, especially accommodation. However, we’ve put together the prices of housing in Sweden.

Food

Buying your groceries in bulk and being your own chef will help you save money as a Swedish expat. As cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg are notably expensive, you can opt for supermarkets out of town as they are cheaper.

Transport

Transportation in Sweden is of good value with extensive modes of movement at reasonable prices.

The cost of other basic utilities include;

Education in Sweden

Being the biggest city and capital of Sweden, Stockholm holds more schools than any other city. As an expat, if you’re moving to Sweden for schooling purposes or a family member of yours, it is best to know that the Sweden school system made education compulsory for children aged 7-19.

The education system consists of public, private, and international schools; the public school is free for all students and strictly follows the Swedish syllabus. Most expat kids opt for private or international schools as they are flexible with their syllabus and teach English; however, the downside is that they are expensive.

European Union students are exempted from paying tuition; however, if you are a non-EU student, you’d need to pay tuition or apply for scholarships in either college of your choice.  Stockholm University is known to have great scholarship offers for students.

Jobs in Sweden

Moving to Sweden as an expat will require getting a job to keep up with the expensive cost of living in the country. Although the labor market is competitive in Sweden as most of the Swedes speak English, the work environment in Sweden is pleasant and less stressful.

Employees are allocated 40 hours of a working week, with a 25 days leave, exempting public holidays. Due to the swedes egalitarian nature, the employers are less strict and always carry their employees along on every decision.

However, getting a job in Sweden as a non-EU expat can be complicated as you’d require a work permit before obtaining a visa, and the only way to get a work permit is by getting a job.

Thus, before making your big move down to the country of coffee breaks, do extensive research on job vacancies and perfect your CV to earn you a spot in either of the Swedish workplaces.

Jobs niches available in Sweden include; healthcare, education, science, construction, engineering, and ICT fields. You can also check the Swedish public employment service or the Arbetsformedlingen for job vacancies.

Healthcare System in Sweden

Being familiar with the Swedish health care system is crucial before moving to Sweden. As other life utilities differ for EU and Non-EU expats, the similar way the health care system also differs.

The country’s healthcare system covers every medical care, including home-based treatments. This is less complicated for EU/EFTA nationals as they only require their European health card, whereas Non-EU expats need to apply for private healthcare insurance.

Once you’ve settled and gotten a job in Sweden, you can register with the Swedish tax agency to save you money on healthcare bills. Although most healthcare services are accessible in Sweden, the primary medical services cost 100-220 SEK.

However, healthcare services in Sweden depend on your county or region of residence. For instance, some counties offer free medical services to children and teenagers.

You can visit your county’s website for healthcare information and hospitals that are within proximity.

• 112 is the number for emergencies
• 1177 is the number for medical advice

Banking in Sweden

Managing your finances is probably one of your top priorities as an expat moving to Sweden. The majority of the cash transactions in Sweden require a credit card; hence, opening a bank account should be on the to-do list once you touchdown Sweden.

Opening a bank account in Sweden includes formalities such as; visiting the tax agency to apply for a personal number which is your identity number, obtaining your Swedish ID card, a work permit, or a letter that confirms your employment in a company and your address.

Once you’ve acquired the above documents, you can head to any Bank of your choice to open an account. You can research online for local banks like Nordea bank, Swedbank, etc.

Keep in mind that the banking hours in Sweden are limited; hence you’d want to opt for a bank that’s closer to your residence or workplace.

Crime Rate in Sweden

Sweden is a safe place to take a soothing stroll at night in your neighborhood. Aside from petty theft and pickpocketing, primarily reported in high traffic areas, Sweden is a low crime threat location.

Weather in Sweden

Picking out outfits for your big move to Sweden should also include seasonal weather outfits. Although the weather in Sweden differs in each region, the winter season lasts from November to February while the summer season lasts from June to August.

The summer season is the best time to move as an expat, as the temperature settles around 20-30 degrees; thus, the best season to tour the beaches and archipelagos.

Sweden also has heavy rainfall seasons which last from July to August, most times this rainfall clashes with the summer season hence, don’t forget to include your rain apparels in your luggage.

Conclusion

Although the cost of living in Sweden is expensive, but that shouldn’t make you forfeit your Swedish dream. The above guide to being a Swedish expat will help you live comfortably and take advantage of the opportunities in Sweden. Nonetheless, follow this platform for more updates regarding Sweden travel and more.