A small group of people still decide to go to Sweden for seasonal work. What a pity! Earnings in Sweden are among the highest in Europe. Check the minimum wages in Sweden that apply in 2023.
Work in Sweden – necessary formalities
A large part of people who are planning a trip to Sweden for the first time, still have doubts as to whether Sweden is in the EU. The answer is yes.
Therefore, going to work in Sweden is practically no different from going to Germany or the Netherlands. Labor migration to Sweden is still not very popular and the demand for temporary workers in this country is constantly growing.
If we are talking about formalities, for the first 3 months of stay and work in Sweden, we do not have to produce any additional documents (it is enough to have a passport / ID card).
However, after this period, you must obtain a Personnummer, preferably via the website of the Swedish Tax Office.
Important! EU citizens who have taken up work or study in Sweden are completely exempted from the obligation to hold a residence permit. It is enough to get a Personnumer, which will be proof of legal residence in Sweden.
After 5 years of continuous residence in Sweden, the person is automatically considered a resident of Sweden. After this period, there is a possibility of applying for Swedish citizenship.
If you plan to stay in Sweden for a longer period of time, it will be necessary to speak Swedish (we recommend signing up for language courses). This will make it easier to find a better job in a higher position, which will also lead to better earnings.
Is Sweden in the EU? How to get a job in Sweden? – Formalities
Where to look for a job in Sweden?
The greatest demand for foreign workers can be seen in:
- Construction
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Gastronomy
- Automotive
- Home care
Minimum wages in Sweden 2023
As in many Nordic countries, the concept of the national minimum wages in Sweden does not apply. The minimum wage is set individually between the employer and trade unions.
The minimum salary in Sweden is averagely around EUR 2500 gross/month (SEK 28 210). The hourly rate ranges from approx. EUR 18 gross (SEK 203).
Below you can check the average gross monthly salary and average gross hourly rates in selected industries.
| Position | Gross monthly salary | Gross hourly rate |
| Construction worker | EUR 2808 (SEK 31 685) | EUR 18 (SEK 203) |
| Welder | EUR 2818 (SEK 31 798) | EUR 18 (SEK 203) |
| Chef | EUR 2400 (SEK 27 082) | EUR 17 (SEK 191) |
| Individual home care | EUR 2377 (SEK 26 822) | EUR 15 (SEK 169) |
| Car mechanic | EUR 2800 (SEK 31 595) | EUR 17 (SEK 191) |
| Truck driver | EUR 2700 (SEK 30 467) | EUR 16 (SEK 181) |
| Cleaning | EUR 2300 (SEK 25 953) | EUR 13 (SEK 147) |
| Cashier | EUR 2300 (SEK 25 953) | EUR 12 (SEK 135) |
| Horticulture/Harvesting | EUR 2205 (SEK 24 881) | EUR 11 (SEK 124) |
Important! The above mentioned amounts are approximated values.
It all depends on the type of contract, the employee’s experience, the size and capital of the workplace and, above all, on the conditions of the employer.
Earnings and costs of living in Europe
Why is it worth going to Sweden?
There are several reasons for going to Sweden for work purposes:
- Not a very popular country among our compatriots, which means less competition on the labor market.
- Demand for foreign workers.
- Sweden has been recognized several times as the happiest country in the world.
- Equal treatment at every level of social life (e.g. in Sweden there is no division between rich and poor, and if someone tries to show their wealth, they are automatically excluded from the society).
- There is no firing culture. Trade unions in Sweden fight for every worker. The Swedish employer prefers to demote/transfer an employee to another department rather than deciding to dismiss him/her.
Do you want to go to Sweden?
