We have support for your accompanying family. The Dual Career Programme and network have recurring seminars with themes such as studying in Sweden and how to look for work.
Right to work or study in Sweden
In order to have a right to be working or studying in Sweden your partner need to have either a residence permit or right of residence as a EU citizen.
When applying for a permit which includes your partner/spouse you need to prove that you have had a relationship before moving here. This can be done with a marriage certificate, documents proving you are in a registered partnership or that you were cohabiting and shared economy prior to the time of you planned stay in Sweden.
Having a residence permit or a right of residence your partner get the same rights as you and can study, work or start his/her own business.
Dual career programme
The Dual Career Programme aims to make it easier for accompanying partners to find a job, education and social networks in Umeå. Read more about Dual Career programme here.
Working in Sweden
If your partner has the right to work in Sweden he/she also has the right to be registered and get service from the Swedish Public Employment Service.
EURES service EURES is a network of employment services. The objective of the EURES network is to facilitate the free movement of workers in the EEA. EURES can give your accompanying partner information, support and assistance. "Post recruitment", follow-up and service to accompanying partners.
Unemployment insurance Unemployment insurance is included in social insurance in most countries. Sweden, Finland and Denmark have systems with full or partial voluntary insurance. Unemployment-insured time from EU/EEA/CH can be credited in the working condition when applying for compensation. Swedish rules apply (frame time and worked time). Read more about unemployment insurance
Jobseeker with certificate U2 While maintaining unemployment benefits you can apply for work within the EU/EEA/CH. Requirements for at least four weeks full unemployment before departure. Dispensation can be granted if the person accompanies spouse/partner who is to work in another Member State. Please contact your local employment office for information, conditions and how to apply.
Recognition of foreign qualifications The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) evaluates foreign qualifications in order to provide support for people looking for work in Sweden, people who wish to continue studying, or for employers who wish to employ someone with foreign qualifications. Learn more
Employment agencies There are also a few employment agencies in Umeå, for example: Poolia, Manpower, Academic Work Sweden AB, Randstad and Konsultia AB.
Learning Swedish
Swedish people are in general happy to speak English, however, it can be difficult to find work without knowing Swedish. Learning Swedish is therefore something we highly recommend.
Ways of learning Swedish
SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) When you have registered in Sweden and have a Swedish personal number you can attend a six-week introduction programme that includes both instruction in Swedish and integration to work. This is cost free and arranged by Umeå Municipality.
Private Swedish courses at Folkuniversitetet. You book the course yourself and pay a fee.
If you are employed at the university with a valid work- or research permit, or are from an EU country, your accompanying partner might be qualified to study without paying a fee. Find out by contacting the study counsellors.
Starting a business
If you have a business idea that you would like to develop you can contact Uminova Innovation. For information on how they can help to develop your business idea, please visit Uminova Innovation.
Childcare and school
A short explanation of the Swedish education system
Preschool is available for children 1–5 years old. Children between ages 6–16 attend compulsory school. Most continue with a three-year upper secondary school leading to a vocational diploma and/or qualifications for further studies. All education provided by the state is free.
Children between the ages of one and five may attend preschool while their parents/guardians are working, are on parental leave, or are looking for work. It is the municipality or the organiser that decides the cost of a place in preschool. The Education Act states that the fee should be reasonable. Family day-care homes are also available in most of the residential areas in Umeå. The main principle is to get a place as close to the residential area as possible. However, you have the option to choose a specific preschool or childminder.
If your children require preschool, you should apply as soon as possible as the waiting list can be quite long. On the website of Umeå Municipality you will find more information on how to apply.
Schools in Umeå
Students in compulsory school grade 1-9 have the option to begin at one of Umeå Municipality's schools or begin in another school chosen by their guardian. Foreign upper secondary school students are able to go a preparatory programme with language introduction and then continue on a national programme. The preparatory programme is for foreign students aged 16-18 that need to prepare before the continuation of upper secondary school, college or adult education.
If you are a newcomer and are applying for a place at a preschool (for children 1–5 years) or a school (for students 6–19 years), you must register with the Reception Unit at the Competence Center for Multilingualism. Information from Umeå Municipality
