Guide for VisitinG staff

Guide for
Visiting Staff

Photo: Carina Elmäng, Johan Wingborg

Guide for Visiting Staff
Welcome to Gothenburg and to our University. I really hope
that your stay here will meet your expectations or even
exceed them.
Since living in a new country can be quite a challenge, at
least in the beginning, we have put together a booklet with
advice and information that may make your everyday life a
bit easier. I hope you will find it useful.
Pam Fredman
Vice-Chancellor
More information at www.gu.se/guestservices

Contents
4
Planning your stay 7
Permits 8
Accommodations 9
Insurance 9
Travel 11
Family and schools 11
Life in Sweden 12
Getting settled 15
Civic registration 16
ID card 16
Income taxes 16
At the University 17
Banks 18
Postal services 18
Phone 19
Internet and e-mail 19
GU card 19

Living in Gothenburg 21
Health and medical care 22
Leisure 24
Local transportation 25
5
Useful information 27
Faculties at the 33
University of Gothenburg

Planning your stay
7

8
Permits
EU citizens
As an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to work in Sweden
without a work or residence permit. The same applies to your family members
if they join you. You and your family members are entitled to begin working
immediately. If you stay longer than three months, you have to register with
the Swedish Migration Board, www.migrationsverket.se
Non-EU citizens
A visa is required for researchers from certain countries and regions. It is issued
for short-term visits and must be applied for before entering the Schengen
area (including Sweden). Visiting researchers do not need a work permit. Note
that if you are a visiting researcher, you still need a residence permit if your stay
is expected to last longer than three months. To receive a residence permit,
you need to have a hosting agreement with the host university. If residence
permit is granted, you will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of
your residence permit. More information about permits, visas and application
forms can be found at www.migrationsverket.se
If you would like help from the University in these matters, please contact
Guest Services, www.gu.se/guestservices

Accommodations
The University of Gothenburg offers a large number of different and centrally
located guest rooms and apartments. They are furnished and equipped for
self-catering, and are administrated by Guest Services. We also provide you
transportation upon arrival to the guest rooms/apartments and we assist in
practical matters concerning your stay. www.gu.se/guestservices
9
Insurance
Healthcare in Sweden is very expensive unless you are covered by some kind
of insurance. If your spouse/cohabitant and/or children accompany you to
Sweden, they too need to make sure that they have some form of healthcare
coverage in Sweden. To read more about healthcare in Sweden, please download
an informative text from the Swedish Social Insurance Administration at
www.forsakringskassan.se
EU citizens
Regarding social security and health related matters, you are covered as soon
as you register as a resident with the Swedish Migration Board. Your entitlement
to some benefits (e.g. sickness benefit) depends on whether or not you
are employed and pay taxes in Sweden. You will have access to public medical
services if you register beforehand at a social insurance office in your home

country and obtain a European Health Insurance Card. You need to bring the
card with you when seeking medical attention in Sweden.
10
Non-EU citizens
• Staying less than one year.
If your residence permit is for less than a year, you cannot be listed in the
Swedish civil registry, rendering you ineligible for Swedish healthcare benefits.
Instead you have to make arrangements for health insurance coverage for the
duration of your stay in Sweden before you arrive, either with an insurance
company in your home country or through the University by means of a GIF
insurance (GIF-försäkring). However, foreign citizens may be eligible for medical
benefits under certain conditions. Check with your home social security or
insurance office before you leave.
• Staying one year or more.
If you have a residence permit for a year or more, you are eligible for the same
healthcare benefits as Swedes. However, you are not covered until you register
at a local tax office (see under Getting Settled). It is therefore advisable that you
get some form of travel/medical insurance in your home country for your first
few days in Sweden. If you receive a scholarship or stipend (other than from a
Marie Curie fellowship), you will not be required to pay taxes in Sweden. In this
case, there might be some limitations in the social security, for example with

espect to sick leave allowance and parental leave allowance. This applies even
if you are expected to stay in Sweden for a year or longer.
Insuring your belongings
Concerning your personal belongings, it is strongly recommended that you
purchase for example a home insurance.
11
Travel
There are two airports in Gothenburg: Göteborg Landvetter Airport and Göteborg
City Airport, www.swedavia.se. You can also reach Gothenburg by ferry,
www.aferry.se, or by train, www.sj.se
Airport buses operate between the airports and the Gothenburg Central Station.
You can either buy your ticket online at www.flygbussarna.se pay by SMS
or pay with a major credit card on the bus or using the ticket machines at the
airports.
Family
If you plan to bring your family to Gothenburg, they may also need a visa or
a residence permit, depending on their citizenship and length of stay. They
also need to make sure that they have some form of healthcare coverage in
Sweden. If your spouse wants to work while you are in Sweden, you can find

asic and general information in English about living and working conditions in
Sweden on www.eures.se
12
Pre-schools and schools
If you have children, you should locate a pre-school or school as early as
possible. There is a list of international pre-schools and schools in and around
Gothenburg in the Expat Guide at www.businessregiongoteborg.com.
Guest Services can assist with more information regarding your stay in
Gothenburg, www.gu.se/guestservices
Life in Sweden
Sweden is the third largest country in Western Europe with a population of
about 9.4 million, of which a majority live in the southern parts. The country is
characterized by its long coastlines, large forests and numerous lakes. In southern
Sweden, the winters are shorter than in most other areas of Sweden, but
nevertheless quite cold. Summer temperatures are normally 20-25º C. Due to
the high latitude, we have very long hours of daylight in the summer and very
long nights in the winter.

Sweden has a position in Europe, and the world, as a modern and safe country
with a reputation for being competitive and innovative. It has one of the
highest standards of living in the world and a respected system of democracy
and individual rights. Most Swedes are able to speak English.
Read more about Sweden and Swedes at www.sweden.se and at
www.visitsweden.com
13

Getting Settled

16
Civic registration
When registered with the Migration Board, or when you have a residence permit
valid for a year or longer, your next step should be to register as a resident
at the nearest office of the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Once you do so,
you are eligible for Swedish healthcare benefits and you will receive a unique
10-digit personal identification number (personnummer). You will be able
to use this number to simplify a whole range of transactions in the Swedish
society, such as acquiring an identity card, opening a bank account and visiting
a doctor. You can find more information in both Swedish and English at
www.skatteverket.se
ID card
ID cards are issued by the Swedish Tax Agency. You can find information about
how to apply on their website at www.skatteverket.se/privat/idkort/idcard
Income taxes
In Sweden, income taxes are almost always automatically submitted to the tax
authority, since employers are obliged to deduct taxes from salaries paid to the
employees. We strongly advise you to contact a tax consultant or the national
tax authority in your home country before travelling to Sweden. Remember, if
you are on a scholarship and do not pay income taxes, you will not be eligible
for healthcare and other benefits.

There are some exceptions to the regular tax system, e.g. tax relief for foreign
key personnel, see www.forskarskattenamnden.se, and a special income tax
for non-residents (SINK), see information at www.skatteverket.se
At the University
Your host Department will see to it that you have a work space, along with an IT
account that enables you to access the Internet, e-mail and the University server.
If you are employed by the University, you will receive information from the
Department of Human Resources concerning e.g. payment of salaries, hours of
work, insurance and pensions, work environment and equality matters.
www.pa.adm.gu.se/english
17
Security
The University of Gothenburg conducts active security work and risk management.
The security work must prevent risks and damage through cost-effective
security solutions within IT security, physical security, personal security,
administrative security and preparedness for emergency and crisis. Read more
about this at www.sakerhet.gu.se/english

18
Banks
Different banks have different conditions for opening an account. The bank
will require the following documentation when opening an account for you:
A valid passport and the form Certificate for guest professor or scholarship
holder, which you can get from your department. This certifies your address in
Sweden and your address in the country of residence.
Postal services
To receive letters and packages, your address must include your name,
street, apt no and postcode. Larger packages must be collected at designated
locations, e.g. selected food stores and petrol stations.
www.posten.se

Phone
Mobile telephones are widely used in Sweden. Visiting staff at the University
are offered the possibility to borrow a mobile phone during their visit. The
mobile phone can be used not only for telephone calls but also to buy tickets in
the local public transportation system. www.gu.se/guestservices
19
Internet and e-mail
Most airports, train stations, public libraries and hotels provide computers
with Internet access. There are also various Internet cafés. In the apartments
and rooms provided by Guest Services, Internet connection is included in the
accommodation fee.
GU-card
All University of Gothenburg
staff will receive an ID card that can
be used for example as a keycard,
library card and photocopier card on
University premises.

Living in Gothenburg

22
Gothenburg is spelled Göteborg and pronounced [yuhteborg] in Swedish. It is
Sweden’s second largest city and has half a million inhabitants. It is beautifully
situated on the Swedish west coast. Read more information about the city at
www.goteborg.com and www.goteborg.se
Health and medical care
Information and counselling
The Medical Information Service (Sjukvårdsrådgivningen), telephone: +46 1177,
is a 24-hour provider of free healthcare information and consulting. There are
local medical care centres (Vårdcentral) all over Gothenburg. They are listed in
the phone book (blue section) and at www.vgregion.se
In case of emergency – dial 112. This is the emergency number for ambulance,
police and rescue and fire brigade. You will be asked to explain what has happened
and to state your location.
There are emergency rooms (akutmottagning) at the Sahlgrenska University
Hospital for adults and at Drottning Silvias Barn- och Ungdomssjukhus for
children.

Health services at the University
Regarding work-related health concerns, employees at the University of
Gothenburg may turn to Previa, www.previa.se/GU. All visits require an
appointment.
23
Pharmacies
Non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin and cough syrup, are sold at
pharmacies and at some supermarkets, grocery stores and petrol stations. A
doctor’s prescription is required for stronger medications such as antibiotics.
These medicines can only be obtained from a pharmacy (apotek).
Dentists
All medical districts have a dental clinic (Folktandvården), usually located in the
same area as the medical care centre (Vårdcentral). There is also a wide range
of private dentists listed in the telephone directory. Dental care costs are partially
subsidised if you are registered in the Swedish social insurance system.

24
Leisure
Everything is close at hand in Gothenburg. In fact, most things are within
walking or cycling distance. The sea and several beaches are within a couple of
kilometres from the city, as are extensive nature reserves and leisure areas. The
city has gained an international reputation for innovative cuisine using local
produce, mainly north Atlantic fish and shellfish. Liseberg in central Gothenburg
is Northern Europe’s largest and most beautiful amusement park, and
one of Sweden’s most popular attractions. Information about Gothenburg and
what’s going on in the city is published at www.goteborg.com
The Expat Guide “Get Local” at www.businessregiongoteborg.com has
updated information about churches, clubs and associations for expats.
Guest Services arranges various activities such as guided town walks, informal
meetings and excursions. See the webpage calendar for more information.
www.gu.se/guestservices

Local transportation
The local public transportation system is operated by Västtrafik and consists
of buses, trains, trams and ferries. Find more information about tickets and a
journey planner at www.vasttrafik.se You cannot buy tickets from the driver.
Instead, you need to buy your ticket from the Tidpunkten shop, from newsagents
such as Pressbyrån, from 7-Eleven or from any other store or shop
displaying the Västtrafik sign. You can also buy tickets by text message (if you
have a Swedish mobile phone operator). The time schedule is very reliable and
there are seldom delays. Some regional and airport buses will allow you to pay
by credit card, or you can buy tickets in advance on the Internet.
25

Useful information

28
Associations
The Gothenburg region has many clubs and associations, bringing international
visitors and residents together for the purpose of support, companionship and
friendship. See the The Expat guide “Get Local” at
www.businessregiongoteborg.com
Bank hours
Banks are generally open Monday through Friday 10 am-3 pm. Many branch offices
have additional opening hours in the late afternoon at least once a week.
Clothing
The weather in the southern part of Sweden is cold from November to March.
You will need winter clothing (coat, gloves, warm shoes, etc.) for this part of the
year. At the University, the general dress code for most events is smart casual.
The conferment of doctoral degrees is an exception to this.
Driving in Sweden
Sweden, like most other European countries, has right-hand traffic. You must
bring your driving licence whenever you drive.

Electricity
Sweden uses 230V AC, 50 Hz.
Emergency
In the event of an emergency, dial 112 and ask for ambulance services, the fire
department or the police.
29
News
SR International is the international and multicultural service of state-owned
national radio broadcaster SverigesRadio. http://sverigesradio.se/international/.
See www.thelocal.se for news about Sweden in English, and
www.goteborgdaily.se for news about Gothenburg.
Post offices
Nowadays, post offices are integrated into various shops, grocery stores, petrol
stations etc. You can use them to send packages and buy stamps. The opening
hours differ according to the specific stores they are in. Generally, they are
open during normal shopping hours, but local variations may occur. Look for
the blue postal sign with the yellow bugle.

30
Public holidays
A list of important Swedish holidays can be found at
www.sweden.se. Most Swedes have the holidays off, including many civil
servants, bank employees, public transport workers, hospital staff, shop
assistants and media workers.
Religion
More than 80% of the Swedish population belong to the Evangelical Lutheran
Church. The Expat Guide ”Get Local” at
www.businessregiongoteborg.com has a list of different churches represented
in Gothenburg.
Researchers
Euraxess Sweden offers practical information concerning research and daily
life in Sweden. It also offers guidance to researchers searching for work and
research funding opportunities in Sweden and Europe. www.euraxess.se

Telephone
The international country code for Sweden is 46. The area code for Gothenburg
is (0)31. To call abroad from Sweden, dial 00 followed by the country code.
Time
GMT 1. Time is written according to the European system. For example, 2 pm is
written 14.00. Daylight saving time is used, i.e. the clocks are moved forward
1 hour at 2 am on the last Sunday of March and are moved back to normal time
at 2 am on the last Sunday of October.
Dates are often written in the following order: year, month, day, e.g. 12 October
2009 is written 2009-10-12 (or just 091012), or 12/10 2009. American visitors in
particular should take note that 12/10 does not mean the 10th of December.
31

Faculties at the
University of Gothenburg

Sahlgrenska Academy (Medicine, Odontology and Health and Care Sciences)
www.sahlgrenska.gu.se/english
34
Faculty of Science
www.science.gu.se/english
Faculty of Arts
www.hum.gu.se/english
Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts
www.konst.gu.se/english
Faculty of Social Sciences
www.samfak.gu.se/faculty_of_social_science
School of Business, Economics and Law
www.handels.gu.se
Faculty of Education
www.ufn.gu.se/english
The Board of Teacher Education
www.lun.gu.se/english
IT Faculty
www.itufak.gu.se

We reserve the right to make changes. Guest Services at the University of Gothenburg April 2012