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ESSENTIAL SWEDEN

Unpaid leave and income tax: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Income tax, electricity contracts, after-studies permits, unpaid leave, getting a refund and cheap holiday homes... here are six must-reads from The Local about life in Sweden.

Unpaid leave and income tax: Essential articles for life in Sweden
How do you apply for an after studies permit in Sweden? Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen/NTB/TT

Fancy owning a beautiful red wooden cottage in Sweden for the same price as a shed in London or New York? It’s the best time in years for foreigners to buy property in the Nordic nation, thanks to the weak krona. Here is an entirely impartial selection of properties costing less than a million kronor (at the time of publication: €90,084, $96,691, £79,023).

So you’re ready to move house, what next? In Sweden setting up electricity requires two separate contracts. Here’s our guide to how to set up your contract.

If you pay for an item or service in Sweden that you do not receive or isn’t up to the expected quality, you should be able to get a refund. But the process isn’t always simple, so here’s how to get your money back.

Sweden is an expensive place to live, with the highest earners paying up to 55 percent in tax above certain thresholds. Understanding how income tax works is crucial before a salary negotiation or accepting a job offer.

If you came to Sweden for higher education and are planning to stay for work, the chances are you have heard of the job-seeking permit, which is formerly known as the Swedish After Studies permit. The permit is meant to be the next step after a residence permit for students, and acts as a raft for those seeking employment after graduating. Here’s a look into the process of getting it, and what happens next.

Many workers in Sweden have the right to protect their job while they go on unpaid leave in order to study, start their own business, care for a sick relative, or even in some cases, try out a new job. Here’s our guide.

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ESSENTIAL SWEDEN

Banks, bills and mortgages: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Wondering which banks give mortgages to foreigners, or what happens if you are struggling to pay a bill? Essential Sweden this week answers those questions and more.

Banks, bills and mortgages: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Interest rates may soon drop, but there’s still hope if you’re finding it hard to pay your mortgage each month.

Which bank should you use if you’re a recent arrival to Sweden? We asked our readers for their tips: here’s what they said,

We hope you never find yourself in the situation that you’re unable to pay a bill in Sweden, but it’s good to know what happens if you do, just in case.

Owning a second home is relatively commonplace in Sweden, and they often sell for under a million kronor in more remote areas. But what should you take into account when considering a purchase?

People who arrived in Sweden as adults often need to top up their pension savings, and one way to do this is via investments. What are the different types of investing and how do they work?

Finally, if you’re planning on buying a home any time soon, it’s worth knowing which banks require you to have permanent residency in Sweden before you apply for a mortgage. 

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