https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Sweden in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Sweden is rolling out tougher citizenship laws, including increasing the time you have to live in Sweden before you're eligible for citizenship. But the exact time depends on your residency permit. Here's a rundown of what it means for everyone, from work permit holders to children. https://www.thelocal.se/20260415/how-long-will-you-have-to-live-in-sweden-to-be-eligible-for-citizenship-after-june-6th Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:23:44 +0200 how-long-will-you-have-to-live-in-sweden-to-be-eligible-for-citizenship-after-june-6th Although Sweden may be a less popular retirement destination than other European countries like Spain or Portugal, there are many pensioners who plan on retiring in the Nordic country. What are the rules for foreigners? https://www.thelocal.se/20231023/reader-question-how-can-i-retire-to-sweden Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:42:52 +0200 reader-question-how-can-i-retire-to-sweden The Swedish rental market is notoriously difficult for immigrants to break into, so many consider buying a property instead. But can you get a Swedish mortgage without a permanent residence permit? https://www.thelocal.se/20220812/can-i-get-a-swedish-mortgage-without-permanent-residency Fri, 12 Aug 2022 09:24:26 +0200 can-i-get-a-swedish-mortgage-without-permanent-residency The Local Sweden's editorial team held a live Q&A with members about Sweden's proposed changes to permanent residency status. We've pulled out some of the key questions and our team's responses. https://www.thelocal.se/20260410/your-questions-answered-on-swedens-proposed-permanent-residency-changes Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:03:33 +0200 your-questions-answered-on-swedens-proposed-permanent-residency-changes Sweden is changing some of its permanent residency rules and putting other changes on hold. The Local's journalists have responded to your comments and questions about what's actually going on. https://www.thelocal.se/20260409/join-our-live-qa-whats-happening-to-swedish-permanent-residency Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:27:05 +0200 join-our-live-qa-whats-happening-to-swedish-permanent-residency Flying with children can be stressful at the best of times, so here are The Local’s best tips for departing from Copenhagen airport with your kids in tow. https://www.thelocal.se/20230818/what-parents-need-to-know-about-travelling-through-copenhagen-airport-with-kids Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:53:34 +0200 what-parents-need-to-know-about-travelling-through-copenhagen-airport-with-kids Whether you were a keen gardener or not before you moved to Sweden, growing in the Nordic climate might not be quite what you're used to. The Local spoke to master gardener John Taylor for his tips on growing veg in Sweden. https://www.thelocal.se/20240506/how-to-grow-your-own-fruits-and-vegetables-in-sweden Mon, 06 May 2024 11:24:34 +0200 how-to-grow-your-own-fruits-and-vegetables-in-sweden Sweden's system for determining pension age changes this year. What are the rules and how can you get your pension when the time comes? https://www.thelocal.se/20220301/reader-question-when-am-i-eligible-for-a-swedish-pension Tue, 01 Mar 2022 15:59:44 +0100 reader-question-when-am-i-eligible-for-a-swedish-pension Applications for Sweden's university autumn semester open on March 16th, and did you know that tuition-free degrees and shorter courses are available to a lot of foreign residents in the country, too? https://www.thelocal.se/20210415/who-can-study-for-free-in-sweden Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:17:48 +0200 who-can-study-for-free-in-sweden Are you worried about your Swedish citizenship application being denied, despite you meeting all the requirements at the time of application? Here are your next steps, as well as how to appeal if you think the Migration Agency has made a mistake. https://www.thelocal.se/20241210/what-happens-if-your-swedish-citizenship-application-is-rejected Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:27:17 +0100 what-happens-if-your-swedish-citizenship-application-is-rejected A number of The Local's readers have reached out since more details of the planned changes to Swedish citizenship rules were unveiled in February asking how they can share their opinions with decision-makers. Here are a few ways to do so. https://www.thelocal.se/20250124/how-to-influence-political-decisions-in-sweden Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:05:58 +0100 how-to-influence-political-decisions-in-sweden The cost of sublets in Sweden has soared over the past decade, so what should you do if you think you've been overcharged? https://www.thelocal.se/20200110/how-do-i-claim-money-back-if-ive-been-paying-too-much-rent-in-sweden Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:52:03 +0100 how-do-i-claim-money-back-if-ive-been-paying-too-much-rent-in-sweden The mortgage makes up the biggest chunk of a lot of home owners' monthly bills. But did you know there’s a way you can lower your mortgage cost? https://www.thelocal.se/20240216/how-you-can-lower-the-monthly-cost-of-your-swedish-mortgage Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:44:02 +0100 how-you-can-lower-the-monthly-cost-of-your-swedish-mortgage Many foreigners living in Sweden need to have a residence permit to live in the country legally. Permits are generally issued for two years at a time and can be renewed 30 days before expiry, at the earliest. But just what are your rights while you wait to hear back? https://www.thelocal.se/20220802/what-are-my-rights-while-i-wait-for-my-swedish-residence-permit-to-be-extended Tue, 02 Aug 2022 16:37:37 +0200 what-are-my-rights-while-i-wait-for-my-swedish-residence-permit-to-be-extended Sweden is revoking the so-called track changes ('spårbyte') immigration path, which means that thousands of foreign workers may have to leave the country. The Local has looked into the nitty-gritty of who is affected and what their chances of staying are. https://www.thelocal.se/20250324/how-does-swedens-track-change-repeal-affect-work-permit-holders Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:00:28 +0100 how-does-swedens-track-change-repeal-affect-work-permit-holders Dress warm for the cold season... but how can we do it like the Swedes do? Fear not, here's our handy guide. https://www.thelocal.se/20180212/be-like-a-swede-how-to-dress-for-the-cold-winter Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:48:09 +0100 be-like-a-swede-how-to-dress-for-the-cold-winter Applicants for Swedish citizenship need to have been living in Sweden for a certain amount of time in order to qualify. At what point does your time spent in Sweden start to count towards citizenship? https://www.thelocal.se/20231109/reader-question-when-can-i-start-counting-my-residency-in-sweden-towards-citizenship Thu, 09 Nov 2023 06:35:44 +0100 reader-question-when-can-i-start-counting-my-residency-in-sweden-towards-citizenship There are a surprising number of unwritten rules when it comes to greeting people throughout the Christmas season. So when should you say god jul, and when is it better to wish someone a 'good continuation' or a 'good end' instead? https://www.thelocal.se/20241217/when-do-you-start-saying-merry-christmas-in-sweden Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:36:43 +0100 when-do-you-start-saying-merry-christmas-in-sweden Whether you’re driving in Sweden as a resident or a tourist, it’s worth knowing what you legally need to have with you when you’re out on the roads. https://www.thelocal.se/20241023/what-do-you-legally-need-to-carry-in-your-car-in-sweden Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:03:22 +0200 what-do-you-legally-need-to-carry-in-your-car-in-sweden Foreign residents in Sweden who are granted residence permits are issued with a residence card or 'uppehållstillstånd'. Who does this apply to and are they obliged to carry the card all the time? https://www.thelocal.se/20240202/do-foreigners-in-sweden-have-to-carry-their-residence-cards Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:52:15 +0100 do-foreigners-in-sweden-have-to-carry-their-residence-cards