Things You Should Know Before Moving to Sweden

The admission results are out, and you probably have a lot of questions—what should you do next? How do you prepare for the move? What should you pack? I remember I was really excited at that time but also totally confused. So, in this blog I want to share some things I wish I had known before moving to Sweden so you can be better prepared and avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way!

1. The Bureaucracy Takes Time

If you’re a non-EU student, getting settled in Sweden isn’t as simple as booking a flight and showing up. There’s a long to-do list, and if you don’t start early, it can seriously delay everything. Here’s how it goes:

✔️ Step 1: Residence Permit
First, you need to apply for your residence permit. Seems straightforward, right? Well, if your country doesn’t have a Swedish embassy (like mine didn’t 😅), you’ll need to travel to another country just to verify your passport. So, plan ahead!

✔️ Step 2: Get Your Personal Number (Personnummer)
Once you arrive, your next mission is getting a personal number (personnummer)—basically your Swedish identity number. Without it, you won’t be able to do much, so apply as soon as possible!

✔️ Step 3: Swedish ID Card
After getting your personnummer, you need to apply for a Swedish ID card (yes, another step!). This costs money and requires another appointment, but it’s necessary for daily life.

✔️ Step 4: Bank Account & BankID (The Ultimate Key to Sweden)
Here’s where it gets fun—BankID is essential for everything in Sweden. Want to sign a contract? You need BankID. Want a phone plan? You need BankID. Want to access government services? You guessed it—BankID.

But here’s the catch: you can’t get BankID without a Swedish bank account… and getting a bank appointment can take up to a month. Only after opening a Swedish bank account will you finally have access to BankID.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—this whole process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months, depending on how fast you move and, honestly, a bit of luck. My biggest advice is to start as soon as possible! The sooner you begin, the smoother your transition will be.

2. Cash? What’s That?

I still remember my dad insisting that I take cash with me for so long. He told me, “Just get some dollar bills with you, just in case!” I followed his advice, and I can say that I still have those dollars in my wallet. Why? Because Sweden is a cashless society. There are no places where they accept cash—at least, I’ve never seen one! Everything is paid by card.

And here’s the kicker—those dollars? Not useful here in Europe! It’s much better to have euros. Euros saved my friend when she found herself at a local restaurant with nothing to pay with.
Usually, people from Latin America think in dollars because we’re more used to that currency, but if you’re coming to Europe, it’s better to change that mindset.

Another thing I learned the hard way was bringing a card that wasn’t accepted here. I brought an American Express credit card, and just like the dollars, it wasn’t accepted in most of the places I went in Sweden. So, which are your best options in Sweden? Definitely VISA and Mastercard.
Ironically, I also brought a VISA credit card, but due to some problems with my bank in Peru, I could never use it. So, my advice would be to get a VISA or Mastercard credit card and make sure to contact your bank in your hometown to confirm that it’ll work in Europe—there’s a special setup required for international transactions.

And if you run into problems, consider using Revolut or Wise—international banks that work well in Sweden too. These are great options to have before you can get a Swedish bank account because, as I mentioned, it can take time.

3. The Clothes Are Too Big!

Alright, here’s one that might hit home for many of you—the clothes are too big!
Now, this might not apply to everyone, especially if you’re tall, like most Swedish people who average around 1.80 meters. If you’re one of them—lucky you! You’ve found your perfect place because the clothes here are just as big as the people!

But if, like me, you’re 1.64 meters (and yes, that’s considered tall for women back in my home country, Peru), you might be in for a bit of a shock. In Sweden, I’m definitely on the petite side. I used to wear size M or L back home, but here? I’m an S.

Now, pants— pants are my nightmare! They’re all designed for tall people, so finding a pair that fits me in length has been almost impossible. Most pants are way too long for my legs, which I never considered a problem until now. 😅

So, here’s my advice: If you’re short like me, bring your pants with you. Sure, you can always buy clothes online from other countries, but if you want to avoid stressing over finding the perfect fit, it’s better to just pack the pants you need from home. Trust me, you’ll be grateful to have them when you get here!

If you’re tall, enjoy the oversized clothing paradise—just be prepared for a few inches of extra fabric if you’re petite! 😅

4. You Are Going to Miss Your Food!

This one’s for everyone, especially if you’re from a country where food is a big part of your culture. You may not notice it while you’re at home, but once you’re in Sweden, you’ll quickly realize how hard it is to find the flavors you love.

If you’re from Latin America like me, let me tell you, there are not enough places to find our food or ingredients here. It’s incredibly hard to find certain items or even restaurants serving meals from our countries. It’s a real struggle!

However, if you’re from Asia or the Middle East, you’re in luck. There are tons of markets and restaurants dedicated to your home cuisine, so you won’t have to miss your favorite dishes. You’re definitely one of the lucky ones in this food adventure!

But, if you’re not from those regions, here’s my tip: Consider packing some essential ingredients from home. I know I, along with my Peruvian friends, packed lots of food and snacks before coming. Why? Because you’ll miss them. The snacks, the spices, the ingredients you grew up with—they’re hard to replace here.

It takes time to figure out which Swedish brands or new ingredients you might like, so in the meantime, it’s comforting to have those familiar flavors to fall back on. They’ll keep you feeling connected to home, and let’s face it, sometimes a taste of something familiar is just what you need to cheer you up on tough days.

For me, missing Peruvian food was so tough that I ended up traveling to Spain, where there are tons of Peruvian restaurants, and did a bit of food tourism. If you’re craving a taste of home, you’ll figure out ways to find it!

So, don’t forget to pack your food essentials—it’ll make all the difference!