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The Newbie Guide to Sweden

The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

  • Just arrived
    • 10 things to get you started
    • Visa & Residence permit
      • Visa
      • Residence permit
        • About residence permits
        • Temporary residence
        • Permanent residence permit
        • Residence based on family ties
        • Residence permit based on employment
        • Work Permits for citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea
        • Residence permit for students
        • Residence for asylum seeker
        • Residence permits for EU citizens
    • Register for a personal identity number
      • About the Swedish Tax Agency
      • Why you need an identity number
      • Register for a identity number
    • Register for welfare
      • About the Swedish welfare system
      • Register with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency
      • Housing allowance
      • Parental leave
      • Sickness benefits
    • Get an ID-card
    • Set up phone and broadband
      • Network coverage in Sweden
      • Find the right phone plan
      • Broadband plans
    • Get insurance
      • Get a Home insurance
      • Usual insurance types
      • Pet insurance
    • Get your bank life started
      • Get a bank account and BankID
      • Have you been denied a bank account?
    • Medborgarkontor – citizens advice bureau
    • Social orientation for newcomers
    • The Refugee Guide to Sweden
      • Apply for asylum in Sweden
      • Swedish for Refugees
      • Housing for asylum-seekers
      • Work, internships & voluntering
      • Make friends & connect with locals
      • Healthcare for asylum seekers
      • The Newbie Guide To the Swedish Authority Jungle 
    • LGBT Rights in Sweden 
  • Swedish
    • Where to learn Swedish?
      • Self-studies and tools
      • Svenska för invandrare, SFI
      • Svenska som andraspråk, SAS
      • Swedish for professionals and academics
      • Swedish at a Swedish university
      • Other Swedish Study Options
        • Medborgarskolan
        • ABF Stockholm
      • Private courses & counselling
        • The Swedish Teacher
        • Swedish with Mumm
    • Why learn Swedish?
    • How to learn Swedish?
    • Swedish Language Tests
    • Swedish requirements for higher Education
    • Swedish Spelling Software
    • Swedish student aid, CSN
  • Work
    • Find a job
      • How to start looking for a job
      • The Public Employment Service
        • General services
        • Employment help for Newbies
      • For foreign-born graduates & professionals
        • What you should know
        • Korta vägen – training program foreign born graduates
        • Incluso
        • SIFA & SFX – Swedish for professionals and academics
        • Mitt Livs Chans – Mentoring Program
      • Staffing agencies
      • International recruitment
    • Labour Legislation
      • Swedish work law
      • Employment types
      • Checklist for signing a contract
      • Labour Unions
      • Unemployment insurance
      • A-kassa temporary rules
    • Networking & support
      • Find a job through networking
      • Jobbsprånget
      • Korta vägen – training program foreign born graduates
      • Mitt Livs Chans – Mentoring Program
      • SWENCL – Sweden’s Engineers Club
      • Volontärbyrån
      • Incluso
      • The Job Coach
    • The Swedish labour market
      • Professions where workers are needed
      • Regulated professions
    • Fired?
    • Overtime & public holidays
    • The Newbie Work Guides
      • Step one: make yourself interesting for employers
      • Step two: Get visible on the work market
      • Step three: Expand your network
    • The Newbie Startup Guide
      • Market Validation
      • Register your business
      • The Small Newbie Business Directory
        • Join our Small Newbie Business Directory
  • Housing
    • Accommodation in Sweden
    • Find accommodation in Sweden
    • Emergency rental solutions
    • Temporary housing solutions
    • Write a great rental application
    • How to avoid fraud
    • Legal stuff and housing
      • How do I know if a housing contract is legitimate?
      • What can I do if my rent is “way” over the market price?
      • What do I do when the landlord refuses to return the deposit?
  • Health
    • The Swedish Health System
      • Emergency!
        • Emergency? Call 112!
        • Important phone numbers
        • Cardiac arrest
      • Health Centre
      • Specialist Treatment & Referrals
      • Free Choice of Care
      • Health Care Guarantee
      • How to buy prescription medicines
    • Sexual and Reproductive Health
      • Sexual & Reproductive Care 
      • Contraception
      • Morning-after-pill
      • Abortion
      • The Law for Communicable Disease Control
    • Dental Care
    • Costs & Fees
      • Patient Fees & High-Cost Protection
      • Health care costs – What applies to you?
      • European Health Insurance Card
    • Funeral arrangements
  • Driving
    • Which licenses are valid in Sweden?
    • Exchange a driving license from an EU country
    • Driving license from a non-EU country
    • The Step-By-Step Guide To A Swedish Driving License
  • Services
    • Moving to Sweden
  • Get connected
    • The Swedish Red Cross – Röda korset
    • Nya Kompisbyrån
    • Panion
    • Internationella Bekantskaper
    • Kompis Sverige
  • The Refugee Guide to Sweden
    • Apply for asylum in Sweden
    • Swedish for Refugees
    • Work, internships & voluntering
    • Housing for asylum-seekers
    • Healthcare for asylum seekers
    • Make friends & connect with locals
  • Blogs
    • Blog
    • العربية
    • Recommended blogs
  • Newbie Stories
  • About
    • Who we are
      • The short facts
      • The Newbie Team
      • Meet our Newbie Bloggers
    • Advertise with us
    • Newbie partners
    • Media Kit
    • Are you an Oldbie or a Newbie?
    • Volunteer with us
    • Miss something?
    • Legal disclaimer
    • Contact us
    • Sign up for our newsletter

Bonnie Thornington

This Side of Covid19

29 November 2020 By Bonnie Thornington Leave a Comment

explaining social distancing

For a while now I wanted to write about living in Sweden during the Covid19 pandemic from a Newbie perspective. I hesitated doing so publicly for fear of being judged, criticized and shamed. If I am completely honest with myself, at the root of my wavering is a simple and obvious reason: guilt. As I […]

Filed Under: Blog, Health Tagged With: Covid19, life in sweden, Newbie in Sweden

3 Month Reflection: Get Out, Get Involved, Get Cozy

3 October 2020 By Bonnie Thornington Leave a Comment

I’ve been in Sweden for exactly three months now, and it’s starting to feel like home. Moving to a new country can be intimidating and scary. However, it is also an exciting opportunity to stretch one’s comfort zone, meet new people and develop new perspectives. To ensure a smooth transition to a new country, my motto […]

Filed Under: Blog, Just Arrived Tagged With: first year in sweden, Integration, life in sweden, Lund, Newbie in Sweden, Skåne, Sweden, tips for Newbies

Journey on the Göta Canal

26 August 2020 By Bonnie Thornington 1 Comment

With more people wanting to stay within Sweden due to Coronavirus this year, you can still get your travel-bug fix by experiencing a trip on the Göta Canal. Full of historic sites, delicious ice cream shops and gorgeous scenery, it truly is a wonderful way to spend a few days relaxing and unwinding – whilst ensuring social […]

Filed Under: Blog, Sweden Tagged With: attractions in sweden, Göta Kanal, Sweden Nature, travelling in Sweden

First Impressions of Sweden

22 July 2020 By Bonnie Thornington Leave a Comment

Plane Over Sweden

What’s it like to relocate from Ottawa, Canada to Lund, Sweden during a pandemic? To be honest, it was one of the most pleasant journeys I’ve ever made. With nine suitcases, four carry-on bags, four personal bags and one car seat, my family and I took three planes, one train and one taxi ride. By […]

Filed Under: Blog, Just Arrived Tagged With: just arrived, relocation

Moving to Sweden During a Pandemic

21 June 2020 By Bonnie Thornington Leave a Comment

Moving overseas is an exciting time, where dreams and expectations collide, and where the planning and preparation is filled with giddy anticipation. Moving overseas during a pandemic throws in a lot more complications, but is no less exciting. My family and I decided to move to Lund, Sweden, from Canada back in February 2020. My husband’s work […]

Filed Under: Blog, Just Arrived Tagged With: moving to sweden

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Join The Newbie Group

Don’t miss…

10 things to get you started
The Newbie Work Guide
10 tips for mastering Swedish
The Guide to a Swedish Driving License
Visas & Residence permits

Latest from the Newbie Blog

  • Enjoy nature in Sweden – Allemansrätt
  • Hitchhiking to Jokkmokk market in February
  • Swedish people through an Argentinian’s eyes
  • Where to find affordable furniture and home décor in Sweden
  • Swedish Beauty

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About

Are you an oldbie or a newbie?
The Newbie Team
The legal stuff
Contact us
Missing something?

The Newbie Blog

  • Enjoy nature in Sweden – Allemansrätt
  • Hitchhiking to Jokkmokk market in February
  • Swedish people through an Argentinian’s eyes
  • Where to find affordable furniture and home décor in Sweden
  • Swedish Beauty

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SAVE & ACCEPT

  • Just arrived
    ▼
    • 10 things to get you started
    • Visa & Residence permit
      ▼
      • Visa
      • Residence permit
        ▼
        • About residence permits
        • Temporary residence
        • Permanent residence permit
        • Residence based on family ties
        • Residence permit based on employment
        • Work Permits for citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea
        • Residence permit for students
        • Residence for asylum seeker
        • Residence permits for EU citizens
    • Register for a personal identity number
      ▼
      • About the Swedish Tax Agency
      • Why you need an identity number
      • Register for a identity number
    • Register for welfare
      ▼
      • About the Swedish welfare system
      • Register with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency
      • Housing allowance
      • Parental leave
      • Sickness benefits
    • Get an ID-card
    • Set up phone and broadband
      ▼
      • Network coverage in Sweden
      • Find the right phone plan
      • Broadband plans
    • Get insurance
      ▼
      • Get a Home insurance
      • Usual insurance types
      • Pet insurance
    • Get your bank life started
      ▼
      • Get a bank account and BankID
      • Have you been denied a bank account?
    • Medborgarkontor – citizens advice bureau
    • Social orientation for newcomers
    • The Refugee Guide to Sweden
      ▼
      • Apply for asylum in Sweden
      • Swedish for Refugees
      • Housing for asylum-seekers
      • Work, internships & voluntering
      • Make friends & connect with locals
      • Healthcare for asylum seekers
      • The Newbie Guide To the Swedish Authority Jungle 
    • LGBT Rights in Sweden 
  • Swedish
    ▼
    • Where to learn Swedish?
      ▼
      • Self-studies and tools
      • Svenska för invandrare, SFI
      • Svenska som andraspråk, SAS
      • Swedish for professionals and academics
      • Swedish at a Swedish university
      • Other Swedish Study Options
        ▼
        • Medborgarskolan
        • ABF Stockholm
      • Private courses & counselling
        ▼
        • The Swedish Teacher
        • Swedish with Mumm
    • Why learn Swedish?
    • How to learn Swedish?
    • Swedish Language Tests
    • Swedish requirements for higher Education
    • Swedish Spelling Software
    • Swedish student aid, CSN
  • Work
    ▼
    • Find a job
      ▼
      • How to start looking for a job
      • The Public Employment Service
        ▼
        • General services
        • Employment help for Newbies
      • For foreign-born graduates & professionals
        ▼
        • What you should know
        • Korta vägen – training program foreign born graduates
        • Incluso
        • SIFA & SFX – Swedish for professionals and academics
        • Mitt Livs Chans – Mentoring Program
      • Staffing agencies
      • International recruitment
    • Labour Legislation
      ▼
      • Swedish work law
      • Employment types
      • Checklist for signing a contract
      • Labour Unions
      • Unemployment insurance
      • A-kassa temporary rules
    • Networking & support
      ▼
      • Find a job through networking
      • Jobbsprånget
      • Korta vägen – training program foreign born graduates
      • Mitt Livs Chans – Mentoring Program
      • SWENCL – Sweden’s Engineers Club
      • Volontärbyrån
      • Incluso
      • The Job Coach
    • The Swedish labour market
      ▼
      • Professions where workers are needed
      • Regulated professions
    • Fired?
    • Overtime & public holidays
    • The Newbie Work Guides
      ▼
      • Step one: make yourself interesting for employers
      • Step two: Get visible on the work market
      • Step three: Expand your network
    • The Newbie Startup Guide
      ▼
      • Market Validation
      • Register your business
      • The Small Newbie Business Directory
        ▼
        • Join our Small Newbie Business Directory
  • Housing
    ▼
    • Accommodation in Sweden
    • Find accommodation in Sweden
    • Emergency rental solutions
    • Temporary housing solutions
    • Write a great rental application
    • How to avoid fraud
    • Legal stuff and housing
      ▼
      • How do I know if a housing contract is legitimate?
      • What can I do if my rent is “way” over the market price?
      • What do I do when the landlord refuses to return the deposit?
  • Health
    ▼
    • The Swedish Health System
      ▼
      • Emergency!
        ▼
        • Emergency? Call 112!
        • Important phone numbers
        • Cardiac arrest
      • Health Centre
      • Specialist Treatment & Referrals
      • Free Choice of Care
      • Health Care Guarantee
      • How to buy prescription medicines
    • Sexual and Reproductive Health
      ▼
      • Sexual & Reproductive Care 
      • Contraception
      • Morning-after-pill
      • Abortion
      • The Law for Communicable Disease Control
    • Dental Care
    • Costs & Fees
      ▼
      • Patient Fees & High-Cost Protection
      • Health care costs – What applies to you?
      • European Health Insurance Card
    • Funeral arrangements
  • Driving
    ▼
    • Which licenses are valid in Sweden?
    • Exchange a driving license from an EU country
    • Driving license from a non-EU country
    • The Step-By-Step Guide To A Swedish Driving License
  • Services
    ▼
    • Moving to Sweden
  • Get connected
    ▼
    • The Swedish Red Cross – Röda korset
    • Nya Kompisbyrån
    • Panion
    • Internationella Bekantskaper
    • Kompis Sverige
  • The Refugee Guide to Sweden
    ▼
    • Apply for asylum in Sweden
    • Swedish for Refugees
    • Work, internships & voluntering
    • Housing for asylum-seekers
    • Healthcare for asylum seekers
    • Make friends & connect with locals
  • Blogs
    ▼
    • Blog
    • العربية
    • Recommended blogs
  • Newbie Stories
  • About
    ▼
    • Who we are
      ▼
      • The short facts
      • The Newbie Team
      • Meet our Newbie Bloggers
    • Advertise with us
    • Newbie partners
    • Media Kit
    • Are you an Oldbie or a Newbie?
    • Volunteer with us
    • Miss something?
    • Legal disclaimer
    • Contact us
    • Sign up for our newsletter