To consider before leaving Sweden

Your health

• Find out about the healthcare system in the country you are moving to.
• Find out if the medication that you may need is available there.
• Investigate as to whether you can get the medical aids you need there.
• Find out what immunization you may need before leaving.  
• Gather all the medical records you will need to  bring (and get them translated if necessary)

Work

• At the employment office you can apply for a trainee position with a Swedish company in order to develop your skills in the field of work which you will be doing in the country that you are moving to.
• There are repatriation projects in Sweden which can help you get a better job in the country that you are moving to. You can read about some such projects on our web page Projects — Repatriation.
• Make sure you have all the certificates and letters of reference (translated if necessary) that could make it easier to get the kind of job you want in the country that you are moving to.
• Make a list of all the phone numbers and addresses in Sweden that you might need after you leave.
• If you have already been offered a job in the country which you are moving to; make sure that you get a certificate of employment from the company that is hiring you.

School

• Get in touch with the authorities in the country that you are moving to for information about their educational system.
• Make sure you have all the school transcripts you need in order to study in the country that you are moving to.
• Make sure that all the training you have received in Sweden has been certified.
• Get your transcripts and grades from Swedish schools and courses translated.

Safety and security

• Find out how you may be affected by the laws of the country which you are moving to. If necessary, call that country's nearest consulate or embassy.
• Find out what your rights and obligations may be in the country that you are moving to.
• Find out about hazards (mines, grenades, etc.) in previous war zones.
• Learn about ethnic conflicts that have not yet been resolved.

Your housing in Sweden

• Notify your landlord about your plans to move in time.
• Order the form "flyttning till utlandet" (moving to another country) from your local tax office and fill it out.
• Submit a change of address form to the post office.
• Cancel your phone, newspaper subscription, etc.

Housing in the country that you are moving to

• Find out what the housing market is like in the country which you are moving to.
• Make sure you have written confirmation that you can move into your new housing. Get any legal assistance you may need.
• Have necessary repairs done in the apartment or house to which you are moving.
• Let your friends and acquaintances know what your new address will be.

Your finances in Sweden

• Find out about the social insurance regulations concerning pension savings, disability pension, child allowance etc. when leaving Sweden and what happens to your benefits if you are not a Swedish citizen.
• Get in touch with Centrala Studiestödsnämnden (CSN, the Central Student Grants Committee) if you have outstanding loans for home equipment or study aids.
• Pay off outstanding loans or reach agreement about installment payments before leaving Sweden.
• Apply for financial assistance for repatriation from your municipality.
• Apply for a travel allowance from the Migration Board. You can read more on the web page Repatriation allowances.

Your finances in the country that you are moving to

• Find out about the social insurance system works, including agreements, pension, benefits, etc, in the country which you will be moving to.
• Find out how the educational system works, if it is free of charge, if you can get student aid or grants, etc
• Find out if you are eligible for rent subsidies or financial aid to start your own business or cooperative.
• Find out if there are volunteer organizations that can assist you.

Travel

• Plan your trip and shipping of furniture well ahead of your departure.
• Get any necessary travel and shipping insurance.
• Make sure you have all the papers you need, including passport, civic registration certificate, ID, driver´s license, résumé (CV), your most recent tax returns, and customs documents in order before departure.

Talk openly about moving

You should also inform family and friends in the country that you are moving to. Getting in touch with them and informing them of your thoughts can help you with your planning.

Don´t forget to talk about what will happen if you can´t return or if everything doesn't work out as you had hoped.