What you should do
Coronavirus
You should follow the advice of the Swedish Government and your local authority. You can also read our Sweden travel advice for our latest guidance.
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Sweden see our coronavirus travel advice.
Stay up to date
You should:
The Withdrawal Agreement
If you were legally resident in Sweden before 1 January 2021, your rights will be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. You must apply for a new residence status by 30 September 2021 to secure your rights.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.
Visas and residency
If you plan to live in Sweden for more than 1 year, you must register with the Swedish Population Register. The Swedish authorities will issue you an ID number (personnummer).
You will not be able to register if you are still looking for a job when you come to Sweden or do not meet other requirements for residency. This does not affect your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Residency
If you were legally resident in Sweden before 1 January 2021, you must apply for the new residency permit (uppehållsstatus) by 30 September 2021.
Make sure you read the guidance on supporting documents before you apply. You can submit applications for other family members at the same time as your own.
Read the Swedish Migration Agency’s guidance on residency for UK nationals in Sweden. You can also read the Migration Agency’s guidance on the rights of third country national family members.
Moving to Sweden
Check the entry requirements for Sweden and read the Swedish Migration Agency’s guidance on entry permits.
Passports and travel
You should carry your residence permit, as well as your valid passport when you travel. If you have applied but not yet received your permit, carry your certificate of application.
If you have not yet applied for a residence permit, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Sweden. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.
If you cannot show that you are resident in Sweden, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Sweden.
Passports
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You can apply for or renew your British passport from Sweden.
You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Sweden, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
Renew your passport before booking your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. You may also need to show a return or onward ticket.
Entry requirements
You can travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.
To stay longer than 90 days in any 180 day-period, to work or study, or for business travel, you must meet the entry requirements set out by the country you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.
Periods of time authorised by a visa or permit will not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
Travel to the UK and Ireland has not changed.
Driving in Sweden
If you live in Sweden you can use your UK driving licence. However, you may find it helpful to exchange your UK licence for a Swedish licence. Some employers require an EU licence and the DVLA does not renew or replace UK licences if you live abroad (see lost, stolen or expired UK licences).
You can exchange your UK licence for a Swedish licence from 1 July 2021 (the Swedish Transport Agency website is not yet updated with this information).
Lost, stolen or expired UK licences
If you live in Sweden, you cannot renew your UK driving licence. If your UK licence is lost, stolen or expired, you will need to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ to be able to apply for a Swedish driving licence.
For more information on driving in Sweden, read:
Healthcare
Read our guidance on healthcare in Sweden and make sure you are correctly registered.
You can also find information on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency’s website (Försäkringskassan)
State healthcare: S1
You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you live in Sweden and you:
- are receiving a UK State Pension
- are receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’
- are a frontier worker who lives in Sweden and commutes to work in the UK
- have been sent to Sweden temporarily by your UK employer
Read our guidance on using an S1 form in Sweden to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
If you are resident in Sweden, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Sweden, unless you are a short-term student (less than 1 year) (see studying in Sweden) or a detached (posted) worker. Current EHICs remain valid until the expiry date on the card.
If you are living in Sweden you may be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC or GHIC if you are:
- a UK student in Sweden
- a UK State Pensioner with a registered S1
- a frontier worker with a registered S1
The card you receive will depend on when you moved to Sweden.
An EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.
For more information read our guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance.
You should also read guidance on:
Working in Sweden
If you were legally resident in Sweden before 1 January 2021, your have the right to work as long as you remain legally resident there.
Some jobs may require a UK police certificate.
You can find more information on the Swedish Public Employment Service website (Arbetsförmedlingen).
If you are planning to move to Sweden to work, you may need a work permit. Read the Swedish Migration Agency’s guidance on how to apply for a work permit.
Read the Department for International Trade’s guidance on working or providing services in Sweden and sign up for their updates
Frontier workers
If you have been living in Sweden and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before 1 January 2021, you do not need a frontier worker permit. The Swedish authorities will provide a certificate to facilitate crossing borders on request, free of charge.
Studying in Sweden
If you were legally resident in Sweden before 1 January 2021, you are eligible for the same tuition fees as Swedish nationals.
You may not be entitled to maintenance grants or loans in Sweden unless you have permanent residence or are a worker in Sweden.
You must apply for a residence permit in Sweden.
Read our guidance on:
Moving to Sweden to study
If you are planning to study in Sweden, you will need a student visa.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Sweden to check what fees you may have to pay.
If you plan to stay for less than one year you can use an EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare.
If you plan to study in Sweden for more than one year, you should register as a resident with the Swedish Tax Agency. This gives you full access to national healthcare, though you can expect to pay a small fee when you access healthcare services.
Under this system, dental care is free if you are aged 23 or less. If you are 24 years old or older you will need separate insurance to cover dental costs while studying in Sweden.
Read our guidance on studying in the European Union and guidance on coming to Sweden to study on the University Admissions website.
Professional qualifications
Read the Department for International Trade’s guidance on how to get your qualification recognised in Sweden and sign up for their updates.
Money and tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Sweden to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Sweden have not changed.
Read guidance on:
You should obtain professional advice on paying tax in Sweden.
You can find an English-speaking lawyer.
National Insurance
Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Sweden.
Banking
Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.
Pensions
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Sweden
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your pension if you retire abroad.
If you retire in Sweden, you can claim:
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.
Life certificates
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Benefits
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Sweden.
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
Swedish benefits
You may be eligible to claim some Swedish benefits. To find out contact:
Voting
You can vote in Swedish local elections after 3 years of residency.
You cannot vote in general elections or European Parliament elections.
You can read more information on the Swedish government’s election authority website (Valmyndigheten).
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths and getting married
If your child is born in Sweden, you need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Sweden you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need English-speaking lawyers in Sweden, or notary services in Sweden.
Accommodation and buying property
Read guidance on how to buy or let property in Sweden.
Pets
If you have a pet passport issued by Sweden or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.
A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.
Read guidance on:
Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.
Other useful information
Returning to the UK
Tell the Swedish and UK authorities if you are planning to return to the UK permanently.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
If you get healthcare in Sweden through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to cancel your S1 at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Disclaimer
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Swedish authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
