Guide to Living and Working in the Nordics

Moving to Nordic countries is a big step, but Nordic countries have much in common: strong economies, high living standards, safe working conditions, and well-organized societies. This guide gives you an overview that applies to the entire Nordics – Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland – to help you easily understand how life works there.

Nordic countries are known for high salaries, good working atmosphere, clear employment contracts, and high demand for workers in many sectors. Most in-demand areas: - Construction and crafts - Hospitality and catering - Warehouse and logistics - Transport - Industry - Healthcare and care - IT and technology

Many employers in Sweden today use a digital system (ATS) that automatically sorts applications. This means that: - Your CV must contain the right keywords - It must be tailored to each individual job application - The same CV does not work for all ads If your CV does not match the requirements in the ad, it can be automatically rejected – even if you have the experience and qualifications. Important to know In Sweden, your CV should be: - 1–2 pages - Clear and professionally structured - Tailored to each position - Written with proper professional terms That is why Cimix helps you quickly and professionally create multiple customized CVs for different jobs.

As an EU/EEA citizen, the process is similar in all Nordic countries. - Register to live in the country - Apply for a national ID/personal number - Tax registration, tax ID, or tax card - Employment contract is required for many registrations - Address registration is mandatory - Without a personal number or tax number, you can rarely open a bank account, receive salary, use healthcare, or rent a private apartment

The Nordics have relatively high taxes, but in return offer free or very cheap healthcare, free basic education, strong social security, and good pension benefits. Tax is automatically deducted from salary every month.

The housing market is similar throughout the Nordics. - It's hard to find an apartment in large cities - A deposit of 1–3 months' rent is common - Landlords often require ID, employment contract, income, and registered address - Rents are high in Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Reykjavik

All Nordic countries have quality healthcare systems that are free or very cheap for registered residents. EU citizens can use the EU health card until they register.

School systems are very similar. - Free primary school - Focus on safety and student development - Language support for newcomers - Children can start school immediately after registration - Higher education is often free or very cheap

Nordic countries share many cultural characteristics. - People are polite but reserved - Punctuality is important - Privacy is respected - Equality is a key value - Work environments are safe and organized - Rules in everyday life and at work are strictly followed

- Public transport is well developed - EU driving license is valid - Car insurance is mandatory - Winter tires are mandatory in all countries