Practical information

Cost of living

Like everywhere, living costs in Sweden depend on your personal lifestyle and where you live. For information about the cost of living in Sweden, visit Study in Sweden here. On their website, you can find tips on how to save money as well as other useful information.

Combining studies and work

Full-time studies in Sweden correspond approximately to a 40-hour week. If you don´t have lectures or seminars you are supposed to spend your time reading and working on group projects and other assignments. Combining studies with work is not a good choice.

Bank Account

Only students with a Swedish personal identity number are able to open a Swedish bank account. The Student Union can provide more information on how to open a bank account. Please visit Student Union’s page here for more information. You can also contact them at economy@bthstudent.se if you run into problems but we recommend that you read closely on the website first. More contact information and opening hours may be found on the Student Union website.

Students staying at BTH for less than 12 months will not have the possibility to open a Swedish bank account. These students must have a VISA/Mastercard/Travel Card from their home countries and/or have the possibility to use internet transaction services through their home bank accounts in order to make payments in Sweden. It is also possible to send and receive a money order through the Western Union Bank offices.

Keep in mind the transaction and conversion fees added in frequent international transactions. Students in this situation should be prepared to handle their expenses in cash. However, card payment is much more common in Sweden, and not all places accept cash payments, such as different shops. The Forex office allows international customers to open a limited savings account. They also provide a service for the payment of bills using cash but take an administrative fee for doing so.

National Registration

Students staying in Sweden for 12 months or longer are entitled to national registration and will be assigned a Swedish personal identity number. This registration is done at the local office of the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) in Karlskrona. Note that you should register at the Tax Agency as soon as possible after the starting date of your residence permit. You must bring your passport and letter of admission and you must have an address in Sweden before you apply. The national registration gives you access to health care in Sweden at the same cost as Swedish citizens.