Things to consider before you move

If you are thinking about moving from Sweden or have decided to do so, you probably have many questions. We want to help you make an informed decision by reminding you of a few things that are important to consider.

Your health

• Find out how the healthcare system works in the country to which you are planning to move.
• Find out if the medications you need are available for purchase there.
• Find out if the aids you may need are available there.
• Find out what vaccinations you need before you move.
• Request copies of your medical records and gather other medical documentation that may be useful to bring with you. It can also be helpful to translate the documents if you think you will need them.

Work

• Find out if the Swedish Public Employment Service can help you gain skills that will prepare you to work in the country to which you are moving.
• Compile grades, certificates, and references that may affect your future job opportunities. It may be helpful to translate the documents if you think you will need them.
• Make a list of contacts in Sweden that may be valuable to maintain, such as with your former employer and school.
• If you have already received a job offer in the country to which you are moving, you should make sure to get a certificate of employment from your new employer.

School

• Contact the national authorities or equivalent administration in the country to which you are moving for information about their education system.
• Be sure you have the grades you will need to be able to continue your studies in your new country.
• Don’t forget to get your Swedish education, internship, or equivalent training validated or confirmed.
• Compile and translate certificates and grades from Swedish schools or courses.

Security

• Find out how the laws in force in the country to which you are moving may affect you. For help with this, you can contact the country’s nearest embassy or consulate.
• Find out what your rights and obligations will be in your new country.
• In former war zones, inform yourself about possible risks, such as undetonated mines and grenades.
• Inform yourself about ethnic conflicts and other issues that may persist.

Your housing in Sweden

• Find out how long your notice period is and give notice that you wish to terminate your lease well in advance of your moving date.
• Report your move abroad to the Swedish Tax Agency. Fill in the form Notification – Moving abroad (SKV 7665) on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website. External link, opens in new window.
• If you wish for your post to be forwarded, you can arrange this at adressandring.se External link, opens in new window.
• Cancel your phone, newspaper, other subscriptions, as well as your home insurance.

Your housing in the country to which you are moving

• Research the housing market in your new country.
• Make sure you have a certificate of ownership or rental contract for the home you are moving to and arrange for legal assistance if you need it.
• Deal with any necessary repairs to the flat or house well in advance.
• Communicate your new address to friends, acquaintances, and other people with whom you want or need to stay in touch.

Your financial circumstances in Sweden

• Find out about the Swedish Social Insurance Agency’s rules for pension savings, sickness benefits, child benefits, and other benefits in the event of repatriation. Also find out what happens to your benefits if you are not a Swedish citizen.
• Pay off any loans, or make agreements to pay them off in instalments prior to your departure.
• Apply for a repatriation grant for your return journey from the Swedish Migration Agency.

Read more about grants for returning to your country of origin

Your financial circumstances in the country to which you are moving

• Find out how the social security system works in the country to which you are moving. For example, inform yourself about the rules governing contracts, pensions, and benefits.
• Find out how the education system works, for example whether it is free of charge or whether student grants and loans or scholarship opportunities are available.
• Find out if you are eligible for subsidies or grants for housing, or for starting your own business or a cooperative business.
• Find out if there are non-governmental organisations in your new country that can provide you with help.

The journey

• Plan your journey and the transport of any furniture well in advance of your departure.
• Arrange for the insurance necessary for the journey and transport.
• Gather the documents you need to take with you, such as passports, birth certificates, identity documents, driving licences, CVs, your most tax returns, customs documents, etc.

Expectations surrounding repatriation

Talk openly within your family about your repatriation plans and the expectations each person has. It is especially important that you talk to your children. They may have grown up in Sweden and need your help to understand why you are leaving.

It is also important that you prepare your family and other close relatives in the new country for your repatriation. Informing family and friends of your thoughts before departure can make planning easier.

Also discuss what the consequences will be if it is not possible to implement your decision to repatriate, or if everything does not go as you planned.