Scholarship holders
If you come to Sweden with a scholarship, special rules may apply. You will find information about the general rules for scholarship holders under each tab headline below. Please contact your host university for more detailed information and if you have any questions.
You can also find useful information on The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers (SULF) website(s)
Social insurance system
PhD with scholarship funding
Pension if you are scholarship funded
Collective insurance cover
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Scholarship conditions
A fellowship differs from being employed in several aspects.
The scholarship is tax-free for you, and the foundation/organization you are receiving the scholarship from doesn’t pay any employer´s contribution or payroll taxes either, which has some effects. This leads, among other things, to you not earning any pension rights.
Scholarship holders are not covered by collective agreements (voluntary agreements between employers and the trade union(s) that organizes employees at the workplace stating the conditions and rights at the workplace) and are often not eligible for other benefits at the host university such preventive health care, computer glasses, daily allowance when traveling or other benefits. They are not covered by the occupational injury insurance but are generally covered by the Insurance for Foreign visitors.
Each scholarship holder should be aware of their own insurances, needs and requirements.
In the table to the right you will find an overview of the conditions for scholarship holders compared to the conditions for employees.
Working conditions for scholars
What does “work environment” mean?
Work environment includes both physical work environment as well as social and organizational work environment.
Physical work environment is what most people think of first when speaking about work environment. The chair you sit on, the temperature in the room, risk for injuries when working with machines or chemicals are examples of factors affecting your physical work environment.
Organizational work environment refers to e.g. your work load, the time you have for recovery from work, leadership, how communication is organized, if there are equal opportunities at the workplace etc.
In short, work environment concerns physical, organizational, and social factors that affect how we feel and perform at work.
Please check with your host university who is your work environment contact person to learn more about their work and how a good work environment is secured for you. You can also find more general information on the webpage from the Swedish Work Environment Authority.
To regulate work environment there is a Work Environment Act and many regulations in place with the purpose of preventing ill-health and accidents at work. The law also states that everyone has a responsibility to work for a good environment where everyone feels included and safe. This means that the organization you are conducting your fellowship at is obliged to:
- See that the work can be carried out without risk of ill health or accidents
- Ensure that the person who will carry out a job receives sufficient instruction and really learns the work
Scholars do not have a formal responsibility but need to participate by
- Reporting risks, incidents, illness and accidents, suggesting measures
- Follow routines/safety instructions
As members of a community, we all have a responsibility to respect our own and our colleagues' work environment and actively contribute to the work environment work.
You can find general information on the webpage Swedish Work Environment Authority
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Registering as a resident
If you move to Sweden and intend to live here for a year or more, it is important that you register as a resident at the nearest office of the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This also applies for Scholarship recipients who stay in Sweden for more than a year.
The Swedish Tax Agency will record details such as your name, address, date of birth and civil status. Once you are registered as resident in Sweden, you will receive a unique 10-digit Swedish personal identity number (personnummer).
A personal identity number will simplify a whole range of transactions in the Swedish society, such as acquiring an identity card and thus an e-ID (electronic identity), getting a mobile subscription, opening a bank account and healthcare services.
Read about moving to Sweden and how to prepare for the visit at Skatteverket, where you apply for the personal identity number,
Once you have received your personal identity number, you can apply for a Swedish ID card at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Your ID card can be used to confirm your age and to prove your identity, for example when collecting prescription medication at a pharmacy, paying by card in a shop or banking. You can find information about how to apply for an ID card on Skatteverket website.
Social security and health care
Social insurance is an important part of the Swedish social security system. Swedish social insurance covers most people who live or work in Sweden. The social insurance system is administered by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). The purpose of the social insurance system is to provide financial security during the various stages of life. It provides financial protection for families and children – for example, for people with disabilities, illnesses, work injuries, and for old people.
To be eligible for social insurance benefits, you must, as a rule; either formally reside in Sweden or be employed and work here. Your scholarship is not a salary and you do not work in Sweden. However, you may still be entitled to some national health benefits just like every individual with a Swedish personal number or a valid visa/resident status living in Sweden.
Find more information on which benefits you may be entitled to by being a resident in Sweden at Försäkringskassan.
Försäkringskassan needs to investigate your right to social benefits and therefore you can start by filling in the form 5456 Information when moving to or working in Sweden. At the bottom of the form, you can fill in other information and there you can apply for an EU card, EHIC. Read more about EHIC card.
When you plan to stay in Sweden you should register as a resident in Sweden to receive a personal identity number. With a Swedish personal identity number, you are entitled any medical treatment at the same rates as Swedish residents.
- Scholarship recipients from EU / EEA or Switzerland must have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be covered by subsidized emergency and other types of necessary health care in Sweden.
- Scholarship recipients from outside of EU / EEA or Switzerland and staying at one of the Swedish state universities, are usually covered by the Insurance for foreign visitors via Kammarkollegiet. Independent institutions of higher education, like Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Jönköping University and Stockholm School of Economics might have other insurance solutions. Note, check the insurance with your host University.
- Scholarship recipients from EU / EEA or Switzerland must have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be covered by subsidized emergency and other types of necessary health care in Sweden.
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Permits for entering Sweden
Depending on your nationality, different entry conditions may apply, such as the need to have an entry visa, a residence permit or work permit. If so, your Swedish host organization will assist you by providing necessary documents.
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Insurances
Make sure that you´re fully insured during your entire stay in Sweden, check what insurances you´re covered by via your host university. If your family accompanies you, all family members must also have sufficient insurance. Check this before you arrive to Sweden.
Read more about insurances.
Scholarship holders are generally covered by the Insurance for foreign visitors. In general, the insurance includes basic accident cover as well as emergency medical and dental care cover. The insurance may also cover accompanying family members.
Insurance for foreign visitors also applies to travel within the Schengen area if you have a valid Schengen visa (90 days)
Please note that insurance for foreign visitors does not cover regular check-ups or medication for illnesses that occurred before the trip.
Not available for scholarship holders.
Scholarship holders are in general covered by business travel insurance for all domestic and foreign business trips carried out on behalf of your host university.
Bank account
In order to have your scholarship paid out you need a bank account. If you intend to stay in Sweden for a longer period, you are recommended to open a bank account in Sweden. For shorter stays, a payment to a foreign account is more appropriate.
Read the information about opening a bank account in Sweden carefully to be well-prepared.