All about the working holiday in Sweden!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least SEK15,000 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must have comprehensive health insurance
Must be a citizen of a partner country
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the Working Holiday Visa to Sweden:
Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
03. What is the application fee?
The visa application fee is SEK1,500. The exception is for Japanese citizens; they do not have to pay a visa fee.
04. What documents are required for the application?
You must provide:
- Copies of the pages in your passport that show your personal info and if you have permission to live in countries other than your home country
- A bank statement showing you can support yourself initially in Sweden
- A copy of a return ticket or proof that you have sufficient funds to buy one at the end of your stay
- Proof of health insurance that is valid in Sweden (does not apply to Australians)
05. How long is the visa good for?
The Working Holiday Visa allows holders to stay up to one year in Sweden, as long as your passport is valid for the entire stay. If you have less than a year left on your passport, the visa will be issued up until the expiry date on your passport.
06. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?
You cannot bring dependents on your WHV in Sweden. Your spouse must have their own visa status or work permit.
07. Can I enter the country before my application has been approved?
No, you must apply for, and have been granted, a permit before entering Sweden.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes, you must buy comprehensive health insurance that covers healthcare in Sweden for the duration of your WHV.
Exception: Australians are covered by a reciprocal health agreement and do not need to prove they have separate health insurance.
09. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Singapore and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
10. Where can I apply?
You can apply online at www.migrationsverket.se or you can submit an application form to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in the country where you live.
As mentioned earlier, working holiday makers must buy private health insurance for the duration of their WHV.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- What to know about travel insurance for your working holiday abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Sweden’s currency is the krona (SEK, kr). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a SEK debit card in hand before even arriving in Sweden, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Sweden. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Sweden. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Sweden.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Sweden before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnbs or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing abroad: a way to meet friendly locals and save money
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Sweden, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on your Swedish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your initial living expenses in Sweden. The minimum is SEK15,000 (or the equivalent in another currency).
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Sweden on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
As part of the application process, you must prove you have comprehensive health insurance that covers healthcare in Sweden for the duration of your WHV.
Exception: Australians are covered by a reciprocal health agreement and do not need to prove they have separate health insurance.
You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Sweden currently has bilateral accords with Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Check your eligibility here.