Immigration to Sweden

Throughout history, Sweden has been known as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in Europe. Sweden has always been one of the main destinations for people from other countries to immigrate to; one of the reasons for its population growth has also been its immigrants. In 2009, immigration to the country reached its peak, with about 102,280 people immigrating to Sweden. The country's good rankings in various national aspects such as quality of life, freedom, health, education, democracy, welfare and human development are among its attractions for immigrants.

Sweden's climate is cold. However, the Gulf Stream currents have made Sweden's climate milder than is commonly believed. Only 30% of the country's land is geographically habitable. Because of the country's geographical position, you can experience the seasons differently in each part of it. The north of the country is largely uninhabitable. Its lands have rivers and high Alpine peaks. Unlike the north, the south is home to cities, countryside and endless coastlines. Many people regret immigrating to this country because of misconceptions about its climate, but these perceptions are wrong.

Every year, Sweden is listed among the world's top 10 healthcare systems. Its health and medical system is so significant that many other countries in the world use it as a model. Sweden's healthcare system provides high-quality and inexpensive services to all legal residents of Sweden (even immigrants). Sweden's healthcare system operates on a decentralised basis, and responsibilities for it are divided among the national, regional and local levels of government. Most healthcare funding comes from regional taxes. For this reason, the availability of some services in different municipal councils varies according to the amount of tax collected. Generally, not all medical staff are able to speak English, but a patient who does not speak Swedish is legally entitled to an interpreter.

Sweden has highly ranked universities in the QS rankings. Its higher education institutions are divided into two types: universities and university colleges. Universities are research-oriented and award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in many academic fields. University colleges mostly focus on applied sciences. Some of the country's universities and colleges include Lund university, Stockholm university, Uppsala universitet, Gothenburg University and Karoliska Institute.

Types of Sweden immigration visas

Read the complete list of visa types for immigrating to Sweden. If you need consultation, you can fill in the free assessment form so that Iranoca's consultants can contact you at the earliest opportunity.

Medical treatment Marriage Business Special circumstances University student Tourist School student Company registration Transit Freelancer Work

Learn more about Sweden!

Despite its militaristic roots, Sweden has remained neutral in times of war for centuries. Instead, a commitment to human rights, public services and sustainability has helped make it a respected leader in international affairs.

Sweden operates under a model similar to other northern European countries: strongly capitalist, with a large percentage of spending going to public services. National rates have been reduced, and advanced infrastructure and the transport network help distribute wealth equally. Healthcare as well as university education is free, and its people have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.

Almost all of Sweden's waste is recycled.

Swedes are considered among the most generous people in the world, donating about 1 percent of gross national product to humanitarian aid programmes each year. At present, refugees make up 10 percent of the population.

In 2020, Sweden ranked third in the world for quality of life and fourth for social purpose. For business, Sweden ranked fifth, and in terms of happiness it scored 90.7 out of 100  points.

The country's currency is the Swedish krona. The total wealth of the people of Sweden is $531 billion.

Sweden's economy is based on exports, supported by timber, hydropower and iron ore. About 90% of all resources are privately owned, about 5% are state-owned, and the other 5% are either consumer or producer cooperatives.

One of the distinctive and important features of Swedish culture is their advocacy of equal human rights; for this reason they do not attach importance to competing and raise their children so that they do not consider themselves superior to others. They prefer to listen to others to make sure that their own words will be heard later; they speak very calmly and with composure. It rarely happens that a Swede shows anger or emotions in a public place. If you intend to immigrate to this country, you should bear in mind that qualities such as respect, honesty and equality are very important, and you should definitely cultivate these qualities in yourself. Family and children's rights are of great importance in this country. So that parents can provide the best care for their child, they are granted rights and entitlements that are exemplary throughout the world; parents can stay off work until their child is 18 months old, and each also has the right to reduce their workload by 25% until the child is 8 years old and starts school. Throughout the country you will witness the warm presence of families, and even in the design of trains, equipment and spaces for children's play have been provided.

According to 2022 statistics, the cost of living in Sweden is about 88.32% higher than living in Iran. Rent in Sweden is about 45.84% higher than in Iran. The cost of living for one person without rent in Sweden is about $895.71, and for a family of four it is about $3.316.84.

The price per square metre of a home in the city centre is about $51,482,32 and outside the city centre about $32,291,54. Monthly utilities, including basic services (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for an 85 square metre home, are about $787,34.

Why is Sweden one of the immigration destinations?

Throughout history, Sweden has been known as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in Europe.

Quality of and satisfaction with life

Ranking third in the entire world for quality of life in 2020 speaks for Sweden's attractiveness for immigration. Out of a hundred points, both its public education system and its public health system scored a perfect hundred, and in terms of political stability it scored 95.4 points. Income equality among the people reached 83.3 percent. All of these scores make Sweden a target country for immigrants.

Equality

For those who immigrate and have different roots and religious beliefs, Sweden can be like paradise, because respecting all these differences and equality in all circumstances of life are important and are considered goals of all its people. Racial equality scored 87.7 out of 100 points in 2020, and gender equality  also scored 96.7 points.

Freedom of belief scored 87.4 percent. As a result, regardless of their religion, immigrants can rest assured that their rights in all areas will be equal to those of others, although this does not mean that insults and the spread of behaviour that incites hatred are permitted. Such behaviour will certainly be dealt with seriously, both by the people themselves and by the government.

Education system

Whether immigrants themselves intend to continue their studies or their children do, in Sweden they can rest assured of the best education in the world.

It has an up-to-date education system and is a pioneer of new educational perspectives for other countries of the world.

Doctoral study at the country's universities is usually free. However, study at the bachelor's and master's levels is not free.

Education for students between the ages of 6 and 16 is compulsory regardless of the family's objection, and access to high-quality and equal education in public schools free of charge is guaranteed.