Living in Sweden
Sweden is a safe and modern country in northern Europe. Sweden is perceived today as one of the most developed countries in the world, and within a few decades Sweden managed to reach the top of the world in terms of innovation, creativity, and technological development. It is also an open, multicultural society with a long tradition of welcoming students from abroad.
Swedes
Nature is important to Swedes. They like to be outdoors and they take good care of the environemt. Sweden is also a highely developed country and the people are particulary fond of the latest technology. Swedes are also very fond of social gatherings. An important part of daily life is the coffee break, fika. Swedes can sometimes seem a bit reserved at first, but people are generally very friendly and are always happy to help and to answer any questions you might have. A good way to get to know Swedish people is to join Swedish societies, clubs, associations and non-profit organisations. Learning some Swedish language is also a good way to experience more of the culture.
Weather
"There is no bad weather, only bad clothes" is a common expression in Sweden. In Sweden, the winters are cold, long and snowy. During the winter, the days are shorter and the sun sets early in the afternoon. In the summer, on the other hand, the days are very long and the nights are never dark. The temperature can vary from between minus 20 degrees Celcius in the winter to about 25 plus degrees Celcius in the summer.
Living cost
Living costs in Sweden depend largely on your individual lifestyle. Below there is an average monthly budget in Swedish kronor (SEK) to give you an idea of the cost of living.
Food...................................................................SEK 2,000
Accommodation.................................................. SEK 3,750
Local travel........................................................... SEK 560
Telephone/internet................................................. SEK 300
Insurance, medical care and hygiene........................ SEK 300
Hobby/leisure, miscellaneous................................ SEK 1,100
Total................................................................ SEK 8,010
Currency
The Swedish krona (plural kronor), also known as the crown, is denoted by the international currency symbol SEK. Notes are available in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 kronor; coins in 1, 2, 5 and 10 kronor. All major bank and credit cards are widely accepted throughout Sweden.
Did you know that Swedes almost never pay with cash?
Eighty per cent of all transactions in Sweden are made by cards. Digital payments via card or apps are so widely accepted that many Swedes no longer carry cash and it is often not possible to pay with cash on buses, trains, health care facilities and even in some stores and restaurants. We advise all students to check their credit cards and internet banking before moving to Sweden to make sure that it works correctly for abroad payments.
Electricity
Electricity is standard European 220 volts and 50 cycles (Hz).
For more information visit the:
Official Sweden website
Visit Sweden (tourism and travel)
Study in Sweden