Work in Sweden

Sweden has a strong economy and close business links with other countries, making it an attractive destination for graduates looking to work abroad.

Its main cities each have a distinct character, including:

• Stockholm - the capital and a major centre for technology, finance and culture.
• Gothenburg - a west-coast port city known for engineering, manufacturing and maritime industries.
• Malmö - a diverse southern city with strong links to Copenhagen via the Öresund Bridge.

Head further north and you can experience dramatic seasonal changes, including the 'midnight sun' during summer.

Jobs in Sweden

Sweden has a small, open economy that is heavily reliant on international trade. Employment prospects vary by occupation and region, but graduates with technical, digital and specialist skills may find opportunities in its established industries and growing green and technology-led sectors.

Major industries include:

• advanced manufacturing and engineering
• automotive and transport
• digital technology and telecommunications
• energy and environmental technology
• life sciences and pharmaceuticals
• materials, mining, steel, forestry and paper.

Internationally-recognised companies founded or headquartered in Sweden include:

• Electrolux
• Ericsson
• H&M
• IKEA
• Skanska
• Spotify
• Volvo.

Search for vacancies through:

• EnglishJobs.se
• Jobbland
• Platsbanken (in Swedish)
• the European Employment Services (EURES) portal.

Skills shortages

Skills shortages vary by occupation and region. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service - Where can I find jobs?, workers are in demand across a range of areas, including:

• engineering and engineering technology
• healthcare, including doctors and nurses
• IT, including software and systems development
• skilled construction, installation and maintenance

Opportunities are particularly strong in parts of northern Sweden, where investment in industry and the green transition has increased demand for skilled workers.

How to get a job in Sweden

Applications are usually submitted online and typically include a CV and cover letter, although requirements vary by employer and role. Job adverts are often written in Swedish, so check whether your application documents also need to be in Swedish. If this isn't clear, contact the employer before applying.

Tailor your CV and cover letter to the position, focusing on the skills and experience most relevant to the job description. Your CV should usually be no more than two pages, while your cover letter should fit on one page and complement rather than repeat your CV.

Recruitment processes may include one or more interviews, which can take place by phone or video call if you're applying from overseas. Prepare by researching the organisation and identifying specific examples that demonstrate your:

• ability to work with others
• experience
• skills.

You should also be ready to explain why the role and employer interest you.

References or examples of your work may be requested, depending on the position. For further advice, visit the Swedish Public Employment Service - CV, application and interview.

Summer jobs

Seasonal work is available in Sweden during both the summer and winter. Opportunities can be found in:

• amusement parks
• cafés
• campsites
• golf resorts
• hostels and hotels
• restaurants
• visitor attractions.

Other roles can be found in agriculture and horticulture, including harvesting and farm work.

During the summer, tourism and hospitality employers recruit in locations such as:

• Gothenburg
• Gotland
• Malmö
• Stockholm.

Also consider Sweden's west coast and the Stockholm archipelago.

Winter positions are commonly available at ski resorts, particularly in areas such as:

• Åre
• Sälen
• Vemdalen.

Search for vacancies through Platsbanken - Summer jobs.

Major employers such as SkiStar and Parks and Resorts also advertise seasonal roles directly.

Another option is Nordjobb, which helps eligible 18 to 30-year-olds find seasonal work across the Nordic countries. Some positions require knowledge of a Scandinavian language, although English may be sufficient for others.

Apply early, as recruitment for popular seasonal roles may begin several months before the job starts. Check the language requirements and whether accommodation is included before accepting a position.

If you're from outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you'll usually need a seasonal work permit before travelling to Sweden. Check the latest requirements with the Swedish Migration Agency.

If you're interested in volunteering, search for placements through the European Youth Portal (EYP).

Teaching jobs

As English is spoken fluently by much of Sweden's 10.6 million population, opportunities to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) are limited, and competition can be strong.

Vacancies may be available with:

• companies offering business English training
• international schools
• private language providers.

Teaching positions are more common in larger cities such as:

• Gothenburg
• Malmö
• Stockholm.

Requirements vary between employers. Language schools may look for applicants with a degree, a recognised TEFL qualification and previous teaching experience, while international schools generally expect a formal teaching qualification and relevant classroom experience. Knowledge of Swedish can improve your prospects and may be essential for roles in the Swedish school system.

Teaching is a regulated profession in Sweden. In most cases, you'll need certification from the Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket) to secure permanent employment as a teacher or preschool teacher and to award grades.

If you qualified outside Sweden, you can apply to have your teaching credentials assessed. You'll also normally need to demonstrate Swedish language proficiency at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Check the websites of international schools and language providers for vacancies. You can also search the EURES portal and Platsbanken.

Internships

Internships in Sweden are available with:

• multinational companies
• research organisations
• start-ups
• universities.

You can find them in sectors such as:

• business
• engineering
• IT
• life sciences
• sustainability.

Opportunities are often advertised as:

• internships
• student placements
• traineeships.

Many larger employers advertise placements through their careers websites. You can also search:

• LinkedIn
• the EURES portal
• university careers services.

As some internships aren't widely advertised, consider approaching relevant organisations directly with a tailored CV and cover letter.

Exchange organisations offering placements include:

• The European Law Students' Association (ELSA) - traineeships for law students and recent graduates.
• IAESTE - placements in engineering, natural sciences and technical fields.
• International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) - professional and research exchanges for medical students.

If you're studying at a UK university, ask your institution whether it offers funding or support for overseas placements. Sweden participates in Erasmus+, but UK access depends on your university's arrangements and any international partnerships it holds. Erasmus+ traineeships are available to eligible students and recent graduates through participating institutions.

Check whether a placement is paid and clarify the working hours, insurance, accommodation and travel costs before accepting an offer. If you're not an EU or EEA citizen, you may need a residence permit for an internship related to higher education or arranged through an international exchange programme.

Before travelling, check the requirements with the Swedish Migration Agency - Traineeships/internships.

Swedish visas

UK citizens can visit Sweden and other countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This covers visits such as holidays, but usually doesn't allow you to work. You'll also need to check that your passport meets the entry requirements.

If you're a UK citizen or another non-EU or EEA national moving to Sweden for employment, you'll usually need a work permit. In most cases, you must apply and receive a decision before travelling to the country.

To qualify, you'll need:

• a valid passport
• an employment contract signed by you and your employer
• pay and working conditions that meet Swedish requirements
• the required insurance cover
• a salary that meets the minimum threshold in force when you apply.

Sweden introduced revised work permit rules in June 2026. In most cases, applicants must now earn at least 90% of the Swedish median salary, although exemptions and different requirements apply to certain occupations and permit categories. As the threshold is updated periodically, find the current figure and full eligibility criteria by visiting the Swedish Migration Agency - Apply for a work permit.

Different rules apply to certain groups, including:

• applicants for an EU Blue Card
• researchers
• seasonal workers
• the self-employed
• trainees.

Use the Swedish Migration Agency's guidance to identify the appropriate permit for your circumstances.

EU/EEA citizens don't need a visa, work permit or residence permit to work in Sweden. You can stay for up to three months with a valid passport or national identity card. To remain for longer, you must meet the conditions for right of residence, for example, by:

• having sufficient funds to support yourself
• running a business
• studying
• working.

If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, you'll generally need to notify the Swedish Tax Agency and be entered in the Swedish Population Register. If your registration is approved, you'll receive a Swedish personal identity number.

Language requirements

English is widely spoken in Sweden and may be the working language at:

• multinational companies
• research organisations
• technology businesses
• universities.

However, the language requirements depend on the employer and occupation, so check each job advert carefully.

Swedish is commonly required for roles involving regular contact with the public, including positions in:

• education
• healthcare
• hospitality
• public services
• retail
• social care.

Professional-level Swedish may also be necessary to work in certain regulated professions. Even where a role is advertised in English, knowing Swedish can widen the range of jobs available to you and help you communicate with colleagues and settle into everyday life.

Many vacancies are advertised in Swedish. If a job description doesn't specify the required language level, contact the employer before applying. Don't assume that a vacancy written in English won't require Swedish.

You can start learning through the free online resources listed by Study in Sweden - Learn Swedish. Once a resident in Sweden, you may be eligible for Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), a publicly funded programme run by local municipalities. The Swedish Public Employment Service also provides information about learning Swedish, including vocational language training for eligible jobseekers.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

Swedish employers may be unfamiliar with UK qualifications, so clearly describe their level, subject content and relevance to the role in your CV and cover letter. Include the full name of each qualification rather than relying on abbreviations and provide copies of your certificates and transcripts if requested.

To discover how UK qualifications compare with the Swedish education system, use the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) Qualifications Assessment Tool. The tool allows you to download a PDF explaining the comparison, which you can include with a job application. If your qualification isn't listed, you may be able to apply to UHR for an individual recognition statement.

An assessment from UHR helps employers understand your education, but it doesn't convert it into a Swedish qualification or authorise you to work in a regulated profession.

If you plan to enter a regulated profession, such as teaching or healthcare, your qualifications may need to be formally recognised by the relevant Swedish authority. Check UHR's list of regulated professions to find the authority responsible for your occupation and its application requirements.

What it's like to work in Sweden

Swedish workplaces typically emphasise:

• collaboration
• individual responsibility
• trust.

Organisational structures are often relatively flat, with employees encouraged to contribute ideas and take part in decision making. Communication tends to be informal, and colleagues commonly address each other by their first names, including managers and senior leaders.

Punctuality is important, particularly for meetings and appointments. Workplace dress codes are generally relaxed, although expectations vary by employer and industry. Many workplaces also observe fika - a coffee break that provides an opportunity to step away from work and talk with colleagues.

Work/life balance is highly valued. A standard full-time working week is generally 40 hours, although working patterns, overtime arrangements and flexible or hybrid working policies depend on the employer and any agreements between your employer and trade unions. Employees may not be expected to respond to work communications outside their agreed working hours, although practices vary by employer and role.

Workers are entitled to at least 25 days of annual leave, excluding public holidays. The amount of paid leave you receive during your first year may depend on when you start work and the terms of your contract.

Sweden doesn't have a statutory national minimum wage. Salaries and many employment conditions are instead determined through agreements between employers and trade unions. Collective agreements may also cover areas such as:

• holiday pay
• insurance
• occupational pensions
• parental leave benefits
• working hours and overtime.

If an employer isn't covered by a collective agreement, check these terms carefully in your individual employment contract.

Sweden has 13 official public holidays, including (dates for 2026):

• New Year's Day - 1 January
• Easter holidays - 3-6 April
• National Day - 6 June
• Midsummer Day - 20 June
• Christmas - 25 December
• Boxing Day - 26 December.

Entitlement to time off or additional pay for working on these days depends on your contract or collective agreement.

Find out more

• Read how to find work and plan your move at Sweden.se - Work in Sweden.
• Discover what it's like to study in Sweden.