Step 1: Finding a job

Where to look for jobs and research opportunities 

Several platforms publish vacancies in Sweden:

• Platsbanken, the job portal of the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), lists job openings across all sectors.  
• Regional career portals, such as Work in Skåne in southern Sweden and Move to Gothenburg & West Sweden highlight vacancies across their regions. 
• The EURES portal is aimed at EU/EEA and Swiss jobseekers.
• The portal shows vacancies from Sweden that Platsbanken publishes, and those with an EURES label indicate that the employer actively welcomes applications from EU/EEA and Swiss citizens.
• Swedish universities and research institutes often advertise research positions on their websites, as well as on EURAXESS. 
• The Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) provides an overview of research opportunities, including funding programmes, current calls and insights into Sweden’s research landscape. 
• Company websites and LinkedIn pages are another common way to find vacancies. Many employers publish roles directly on their own websites. You can also follow Work in Sweden on LinkedIn to discover companies that are hiring and stay updated on opportunities in different sectors. 

Connect with Swedish companies and recruiters 

If you already have a particular company in mind, contacting their recruitment or talent acquisition team can be a simple way to ask specific questions about roles, profiles and upcoming hiring.  

Many employers also work with recruitment agencies, which can provide insight into hiring needs in specific fields. 

Subscribe to the Work in Sweden newsletter to receive updates on job opportunities and upcoming events where you can meet employers and other representatives from Sweden. These include international events and fairs, as well as information events organised by Swedish regions and companies, both online and in person.

Swedish job ads: what to expect 

Swedish job ads focus on the essentials: the role, the responsibilities and the skills required. Many employers also describe their team or workplace culture, as collaboration and good communication are important in Swedish organisations.

Most ads include a short list of “must-haves” and a few “nice-to-have” qualifications. Employers tend to value relevant experience, a structured way of working and the ability to take responsibility for your own tasks. If you meet the main requirements, it is usually worth applying even if you do not meet every single requirement.  

The ad typically states language requirements clearly. Some roles – especially in tech, STEM and research – only require English, while others specify Swedish at a certain level. If Swedish is essential, the ad will list it as a requirement. If the ad does not mention Swedish, the role usually does not require it, although you can always ask the employer if you are unsure.

Swedish job ads often do not include salary information. Employers usually discuss pay later in the recruitment process.

Most ads include a contact person, which gives you an opportunity to reach out and ask questions about the role or the hiring process. 

Salaries in Sweden

Salaries vary across roles, regions and industries.

Collective agreements negotiated between employers’ organisations and trade unions largely define pay levels. Within this framework, you and your employer usually negotiate your salary individually.

If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country, a minimum salary threshold applies in order to obtain a work permit. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the offer meets this requirement. You can read more on on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website (Migrationsverket). 

EURES guidance

EURES is the EU’s network for labour mobility, offering information and support for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who want to work in another EU/EEA country.

In Sweden, EURES services are provided by the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) alongside other partners such as recruitment organisation, regional welcome services and municipalities.
 
As part of EURES services, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who are in a recruitment process or have accepted a job in Sweden can receive support through the EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme. The scheme offers financial and practical support, such as language training, travel costs for interviews or relocation grants once a role has been accepted.  

Next step

After securing a job offer, the next step is to apply for a work permit if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country. Learn more about what you and your employer need to prepare in Step 2: Applying for a work permit. 
 
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you don’t need a work permit to work in Sweden and can move straight to Step 3: Finding a home