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 Many foreigners who arrive in Sweden are given a samordningsnummer or 'coordination number' in English. But what does this ten-digit code mean, and what do you need to know about it? https://www.thelocal.se/20191207/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-swedish-samordningsnummer Sat, 07 Dec 2019 19:58:38 +0100 everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-swedish-samordningsnummer The EU hands out thousands of Blue Cards to highly-skilled third country nationals each year, according to the latest figures. But which nationalities receive the most and which EU country gives out the most? https://www.thelocal.se/20260204/which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:56:51 +0100 which-nationalities-get-the-most-eu-blue-cards-and-where-do-they-go The European Commission has announced it will look into allowing certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90/180-day rule, as part of a future overhaul of its visa system. It also asked EU countries to make visa access "simpler and faster" for skilled workers. https://www.thelocal.se/20260129/eu-announces-plan-to-extend-90-day-rule-for-certain-non-eu-workers Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:52:25 +0100 eu-announces-plan-to-extend-90-day-rule-for-certain-non-eu-workers The European Union on Thursday laid out plans to overhaul its visa system and step up deportations as part of a five-year migration strategy that cements a hardening line on the hot-button issue. https://www.thelocal.se/20260129/eu-announces-new-push-to-overhaul-visa-system-and-deportations-policy Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:01:33 +0100 eu-announces-new-push-to-overhaul-visa-system-and-deportations-policy 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 European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances. https://www.thelocal.se/20251118/eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:49:21 +0100 eu-ministers-agree-new-rules-around-suspending-visa-free-travel Finishing work and heading off to a glorious new life as a retiree in Europe is the dream for many, but just how easy is it to do in reality? We compare the rules in 9 countries in Europe. https://www.thelocal.se/20231119/compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:52:52 +0100 compare-which-country-in-europe-is-it-the-easiest-to-retire-to The European Commission is preparing a new visa strategy to attract "top talent from abroad that is needed to fill skills and labour shortages in the EU and drive research and innovation." https://www.thelocal.se/20250902/europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:38:34 +0200 europe-to-draw-up-new-visa-strategy-to-bring-in-skilled-non-eu-workers Certain non-EU nationals, including Indian citizens, can benefit from a new type of Schengen visa, which rewards travellers with an established travel history, and allows multiple entries to the EU/Schengen area over a long period of time. https://www.thelocal.se/20250729/cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:34:17 +0200 cascade-scheme-who-can-benefit-from-longer-term-schengen-visas With the world of work rapidly changing, digital nomad visas are now in high demand as a way to experience life in another country while continuing to work remotely. Here are the European countries that you can obtain one for, and what’s involved. https://www.thelocal.se/20240410/which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:25:15 +0200 which-european-countries-offer-a-digital-nomad-visa There are some big changes due to come into effect in 2025 which will affect travel in and out of the European Union for non-EU citizens such as Brits, Americans, Australians and Canadians. Here's how EES and ETIAS will affect you. https://www.thelocal.se/20211110/passport-scans-and-e7-fee-what-will-change-for-eu-travel-in-2022 Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:29:17 +0100 passport-scans-and-e7-fee-what-will-change-for-eu-travel-in-2022 The fee for getting a Schengen visa will rise by 12 percent in June, the European Commission has confirmed. https://www.thelocal.se/20240604/cost-for-getting-a-short-stay-schengen-visa-to-rise-on-june-11th Tue, 04 Jun 2024 16:52:28 +0200 cost-for-getting-a-short-stay-schengen-visa-to-rise-on-june-11th The EU and the UK could enter into a 'youth mobility' scheme allowing young people to move countries to work, study and live. Here's what we know about the proposal. https://www.thelocal.se/20240418/how-would-a-youth-mobility-scheme-between-the-uk-and-eu-really-work Thu, 18 Apr 2024 19:09:31 +0200 how-would-a-youth-mobility-scheme-between-the-uk-and-eu-really-work The fee for obtaining a Schengen visa looks set to rise by 12 percent if the European Commission has its way. https://www.thelocal.se/20240206/eu-set-to-hike-cost-for-getting-a-schengen-visa Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:46:58 +0100 eu-set-to-hike-cost-for-getting-a-schengen-visa It's human nature to look for a loophole, shortcut or workaround to the rules, but most of the advertised 'dodges' to the EU's 90-day rule are nothing of the sort. https://www.thelocal.se/20230531/mythbuster-can-you-really-cheat-the-eus-90-day-rule Wed, 31 May 2023 14:48:44 +0200 mythbuster-can-you-really-cheat-the-eus-90-day-rule The EU has plans to introduce an entry requirement for visa-exempt non-EU holidaymakers - including Brits, Americans, and Canadians when visiting the EU and Schengen zone. Here's how it will work for people travelling to Sweden in future. https://www.thelocal.se/20230727/etias-will-non-eu-tourists-need-to-pay-for-a-visa-waiver-to-visit-sweden Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:51:09 +0200 etias-will-non-eu-tourists-need-to-pay-for-a-visa-waiver-to-visit-sweden Non-EU nationals who need a Schengen visa to travel to European countries will soon be able to apply online, after EU council and the European Parliament announced an agreement on Tuesday.  https://www.thelocal.se/20220510/latest-eu-agrees-to-launch-digital-only-schengen-visa-application-process Tue, 10 May 2022 17:37:34 +0200 latest-eu-agrees-to-launch-digital-only-schengen-visa-application-process Many Non-EU nationals, including Britons since Brexit, need to make sure they don't go over the 90-day rule in the EU/Schengen area. But how many people are turned away at European borders because they overstayed? https://www.thelocal.se/20230521/how-many-travellers-are-turned-away-at-european-borders-because-of-90-day-limit Sun, 21 May 2023 14:19:07 +0200 how-many-travellers-are-turned-away-at-european-borders-because-of-90-day-limit The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local. https://www.thelocal.se/20230518/your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule Thu, 18 May 2023 13:19:22 +0200 your-key-questions-answered-about-the-schengen-areas-90-day-rule Sweden's Princess Madeleine and her British-American husband, Chris O'Neill, are returning to Sweden after living in Florida since 2018. But how can Chris move to Sweden as a non-EU citizen? https://www.thelocal.se/20230316/how-can-i-move-to-sweden-as-the-non-eu-husband-of-a-swedish-princess Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:30:21 +0100 how-can-i-move-to-sweden-as-the-non-eu-husband-of-a-swedish-princess