The Newbie Blog

The source for everything. Follow our multinational team of bloggers and get a more personal view on Newbie life.

Red days and squeeze days in Sweden

Red days and squeeze days – or röda dagar och klämdagar – as they are called in Swedish are terms you most definitely will meet as soon as you start working in Sweden OR if you have kids in daycare or school. And trust me, it is very important to know what they are, how […]

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Having a Baby in Sweden

It can be very overwhelming to become pregnant in another country and figure out all that you need to know. Where do I find all of the information that I need? What will happen first? Where do I go? What will my appointments be like? How have others experienced giving birth in Sweden? Where do […]

All you need to know about Sweden’s Gambling Authority

Spelinspektionen, also known as the Swedish Gambling Authority, is a state-owned regulatory body. It oversees and regulates gambling activities in Sweden. Advertised by Casinoburst This government agency’s main goal is to ensure a safe, legal and controlled gambling market. It focuses on consumer protection and reducing the harmful effects of gambling. By vigilantly monitoring all […]

The guide to essential apps in Sweden

What are the essential apps in Sweden? Living in a new country, especially one with a different language and culture, can be challenging. However, technology and apps can make settling into life in Sweden much easier. Here are some of the most important and useful apps to help you navigate everyday tasks in Sweden. Apps […]

Puzzling Swedish prepositions

Here at the Newbie Guide we work in an unholy mess of English, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. So we know first hand the struggle of getting the “small details” of a language right. On top of that we often get emails and messages asking about places and apps to learn Swedish and how to […]

The guide to famous Swedish pastries

Swedish pastries are a big thing in Sweden. As someone with many sweet teeth, one thing I love about Sweden is its “excuses” to always have something sweet between meals. Thanks to its most celebrated tradition, Fika. It seems to me that despite the lagom value, Swedes are quite into cake and pastry; they even […]

14 things to do after layoffs in Sweden

Layoffs in Sweden are happening a lot right now. In fact there’s a lot of noise about layoffs in the Swedish news right now. Maybe it has already happened to you. If so, try not to worry too much… there’s life after a layoff and in this article, you can find some help. Disclaimer: To […]

The guide to Swedish semla and semla season

A Swedish semla is something you should try at least once. To tell a Swede that you are not a big fan of the bun semla (semlor in plural) – might be considered sacrilegious and semlor are sold pretty much everywhere during January and February. But what is a semla, why is it such a […]

Moving to Sweden with pets

For most of you, moving to Sweden with pets is essential. However, you should be aware that there are certain rules that need to be followed. We’ve gathered essential information, so you can happily move with your furry friend to Sweden.   Disclaimer: To keep The Newbie Guide free, we use affiliate links (marked with *) […]

How to get a baby box in Sweden

A free baby box in Sweden is something most parents to be, are very familiar with. Shopping for your new baby is an exciting and a fun part of being pregnant. Imagine yourself go to a baby shop and see all those cute Scandinavian designs, how can you resist the temptation? Well… Wait until you […]

Unlocking Swedish grammar: Is it hit or is it dit?

Did you ever construct a sentence like “Jag åkte där” only to be corrected? You are not alone 🙂 Swedish for “here,” “there,” “home” etc. come in two versions. You have to choose between “hit” and “här,” “dit” and “där” and “hem” and “hemma.” It might seem completely random when exactly you should use these […]

Moving from Sweden – The Step by Step Guide

Moving from Sweden? Yes, it is actually a valid option 🙂 Sweden may cover all your needs, or none at all but regardless of why, there may come a time when you feel like spreading your wings and move from Sweden to another country. Relocating abroad from your home country is a tricky matter. Relocating […]

Why are Swedish cottages red?

Why are Swedish cottages red? The experience of my arrival to Sweden became unforgettable. The never-ending lush green landscapes with beautiful red country houses made an impression on me. Written by Karishma Desai Since that day, I have been wondering, why they chose that particular red color? Is it because it contrasts well with the […]

Canada to Sweden – Bonnie’s story

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. Written by Bonnie Thornington My family and I decided to move to Lund, Sweden, from Canada back in February 2020. […]

Sharing economy services in Sweden

Necessity is the mother of invention, said someone wise once upon a time. In a world that’s getting faster, more competitive, and more expensive by the minute, a change in how we own goods and services was needed, leading to a new economic model. Sharing services make it easier for people to afford the use […]

What are the most common Swedish phrases?

Language is the key to all the cultural doors of society. Even a simple ‘hello’ said in the local language is enough to receive that smile of appreciation and friendliness. I would like to share some basic Swedish expressions and phrases used on a daily basis. The goal is to clarify how these common words are […]

What is Valborg and why do they celebrate it in Sweden?

Written by Joseph Mukama What is Valborg? Valborgsmassafton a.k.a Walpurgis Night – in English, falls on the 30th of April (last day). All major cities within Sweden celebrate Valborg annually. It is one of the look-forward-to days on the Swedish calendar. If the city has a University then at a 99% confident interval, it will […]

How To Trick People Into Thinking You Understand Swedish

Oj in Swedish? When do you use it? Is it possible to pretend to understand Swedish? We think so. When you’re new to any country with a language other than your mother tongue, there will be a period where you know enough of the language to get yourself into a conversation, but not enough to […]

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