Moving to Skellefteå and Sweden
Conception of life and society
In Sweden, you’ll often hear the word lagom - a concept worth getting to know. It roughly translates to “just the right amount” and usually carries a positive meaning. Something can be lagom warm (not too hot, not too cold) or lagom far from home to work.
Swedes often describe themselves as fairly lagom, yet there are also traits and traditions that make Sweden truly unique. On this page, you can explore more distinctly Swedish phenomena that are helpful, important and fun to know about.
Right of public access
Thanks to the Right of Public Access we can move freely in Swedish nature. The Right of Public Access works if everyone takes responsibility for assessing what is appropriate by reading the landscape and assessing the situation. Different activities, places and times determine what you can do or not. Together, it is our common responsibility to use this old custom with care. Therefore, it is important to have knowledge about which rights and obligations that are included in the Right of Public Access.
Sweden is a democratic monarchy
The country is governed by a popularly elected parliament (which in turn appoints the government). The royal house has no part in the governance of the country, but functions as a representative for Sweden and contributes to the country's position as a trade, export and tourist nation.
How Sweden is governed External link, opens in new window.
Freedom of speech and religion is law
This means that we are allowed to believe, think and express what we want as long as what you express does not conflict with any other law. This also means that you can get involved in a political organization or religious community without it having any impact when you, for example, are looking for work.
Alcohol och tobacco
In Sweden, the age limit for buying alcohol in store is 20 (18 at bars and restaurantes). The state has given exclusive rights to sell alcohol to Systembolaget and it is the parliament that sets the store's opening hours. This politic is based on the World Health Organizations (WHO) recommendations to limit the price, availability and marketing of alcohol to reduce the harm it causes in society. Thanks in part to this policy, Sweden has a lower alcohol consumption than the European average.
Tobacco, cigarettes and snuff are sold in shops but have an age limit of 18. Smoking indoors is prohibited in bars, restaurants and workplaces and also in some public outdoor spaces.
Pharmacies and medicines
Prescription medicines are picked up at the pharmacy. Pharmacies are often found in close proximity to grocery stores, and if your doctor has prescribed a medicine, you can pick it up at any pharmacy.
As a Swedish citizen or a person from another EU/EEA country and Switzerland, you are covered by the high-cost cover for open health care (you need to present a certificate that entitles you to care in Sweden). This means that you pay full price up to SEK 2,400 and after that your treatment or medicine is free.
Through life: wedding, divorce and funeral
Life brings both joy and change. Weddings and funerals can be arranged through a church or as civil ceremonies. If a marriage ends, you can apply for divorce together or individually, with support available along the way.
- Good-to-know about marrying in Sweden External link.
- Civil wedding
- Civil funural
- Learn more about divorce or dissolution of partnership External link.
Child marriage and polygamy are prohibited in Sweden. You must be 18 to get married and it is a criminal offense for a guardian to consent to a marriage before the age of 18. Marriage between more than two people is also prohibited - even if the marriage was entered into in another country and before the persons came to Sweden.
Equal rights for everyone
Everyone in Sweden must have equal rights and opportunities regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The Swedish LGBTQ rights are today regarded as some of the more progressive in Europe and in the world. Discrimination based on sexual orientation has been prohibited since 1987. Since 2009, discrimination based on gender identity and expression has been prohibited.
RFSL has a support service for LGBTQI people and can also counsel in asylum related issues.
Joining the union
Being a member of the union is above all a security for you as an employee. Should a situation arise where you end up in some type of conflict with your employer, the union can be the ones to help you with both advice and representation. You can join a union both as a student and as an employee.
Add a membership to the unemployment fund (a-kassa) to ensure your financial security in the event of termination.
Sidinformation
- Senast uppdaterad:
- 27 February 2026