Before you arrive as a staff member
Are you moving to Sweden to work at the University of Gothenburg? Here you will find essential information to help you prepare for your move and settle in. This guide covers residence permits, housing options, and practical matters to consider before and your arrival in Sweden.
Checklist
Before travelling to Sweden, make sure that you:
- Apply for the correct residence permit
- Review your insurance coverage
- Arrange accommodation
- Plan your finances
- Prepare necessary documents
- Join Welcome Services' mailing list to receive newsletter, information & invitations to events
Step-by-step checklist for researchers
For a more detailed step-by-step checklist for researchers, see the EURAXESS checklist, (euraxess.se)
Researcher or work permit
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you will normally need a residence permit or work permit to be able to work in Sweden.
It is important to begin preparing your application as soon as you receive your admission decision, as processing times may be long.
Please note that you cannot enter Sweden before the start date stated in your residence permit decision. If you arrive earlier than the valid-from date, you may be denied entry.
- Apply for a researcher permit on Swedish Migrations Agency's website - To be eligible for a researcher residence permit you must devote at least 50 percent of your working hours to research.
- Apply for a work permit on Swedish Migration Agency's website
Insurance
Before travelling to Sweden, make sure you understand what insurance coverage applies to you during your stay. Depending on the length of your stay, and what you plan to do in Sweden, you could be insured by the Kammarkollegiet's Insurance for foreign visitors.
As an employee at the University, you are generally covered by various kinds of insurance, both at work and on the way to your workplace, but also during business travels.
Bringing your family
If you are planning to bring your family to Sweden, additional preparations may be necessary.
Acommodation in Gothenburg
Gothenburg is Sweden’s second largest city and housing can be difficult to find, particularly at the beginning of each semester. We strongly recommend that you begin looking for accommodation as soon as possible. To increase your chances of finding housing, consider areas outside the city centre. Public transport in Gothenburg is reliable and well developed, making it easy to commute from surrounding areas.
The University of Gothenburg offers temporary accommodation for international researchers.
Documents to prepare
Before leaving your home country, make sure you bring all necessary documents. Some documents are required for official procedures, while others may be useful during your stay. Examples of documents to bring:
- Valid passport
- Residence permit decision
- Housing contract
- Recent bank statements
- Degree certificates
- Vaccination and medical records
We also recommend scanning important documents and saving digital copies.
Register as a resident
If you are going to stay in Sweden for a year or more; visit the Swedish Tax Agency’s online service “Moving to Sweden” to register yourself as a resident. You will complete the registration when you have arrived in Sweden and visit a State Service Centre.
Travelling to Gothenburg
Gothenburg is located on the west coast of Sweden and is well connected to other European cities by air, train, bus and ferry.
The closest airport is Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT). From the airport, you can travel to the city centre by airport shuttle bus (Flygbussarna). The main stop is Nils Ericson Terminal, located next to Gothenburg Central Station.
Practical travel information, (goteborg.com)
Before travelling, make sure you review entry requirements and required travel documents.
Information about border control requirements, (polisen.se)
If you are travelling with medication, please check the regulations regarding medicines for personal use with the Swedish Medical Products Agency before departure.
Guidelines for travelling to Sweden with medicines, (Swedish Medical Products Agency)
Support and contact
Welcome Services at International Centre offers information and assistance to international researchers and staff members in matters concerning the arrival to and their stay at the University of Gothenburg.