Step 1: Finding a job

Where to look for jobs and research opportunities 

Vacancies in Sweden are published on several platforms: 

• 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. Vacancies from Sweden published on Platsbanken are shown on the portal, and those marked with an EURES label indicate that the employer actively welcomes applications from EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. 
• Research positions are often advertised on the webistes of Swedish universities and research institutes, 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.  

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

Salary information is often not included in Swedish job ads. Pay is usually discussed 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 – and most are negotiated individually. To get a broad overview, Statistics Sweden (Statistiska Centralbyrån) provides official salary data in English, searchable by occupation, industry and region. 

Unions in Sweden also collect detailed salary data for their members. Some publish statistics openly, while others offer guidance if you contact them directly.

If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country, Sweden requires a minimum salary level for work permits. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the offer meets the required level. You can read more about these requirements 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