Moving to Malmö
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
As a citizen of a country within the EU/EEA, you have the right to reside and study in Sweden without a residence permit.
Swiss citizens
Students from Switzerland who are staying for longer than three months have to apply for a residence permit.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
International and exchange students from outside the EU/EEA who are admitted for studies longer than three months must apply for a residence permit. For studies shorter than three months, an entry visa is required for citizens from certain countries.
For studies longer than three months, students must apply for and have been granted a residence permit before they enter Sweden. In order to get a residence permit in time for the start of the semester, it is essential that you apply no later than 2–3 months before departure.
To be granted a residence permit you must:
- be admitted to full-time studies requiring full-time attendance (distance courses or programmes do not fulfil the requirements);
- have paid your tuition fee in due time (not applicable if you are an exchange student);
- have a valid passport;
- prove that you are able to financially support yourself throughout the planned study period; and
- have, or have applied for, a comprehensive insurance policy.
Students admitted to Malmö University are insured through The Swedish State’s Insurance for Fee-Paying Students. The Notification of Selection Result from University Admissions is sufficient as proof that you are insured.
Apply for a residence permit on the Migration Agency's website or at the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate.
Swedish Migration Agency's website
Applications for residence permits are processed by the Swedish Migration Agency, not the University. The application for a residence permit is your personal responsibility. For questions and more information regarding individual applications contact the Swedish Migration Agency.
Work Permit
Admitted students with a residence permit for studies are allowed to work in Sweden during their period of study. No additional work permit is needed. However, be aware that it may be difficult to find a part-time job, especially if you do not speak Swedish. We kindly remind you that university studies are full-time and therefore can be difficult to combine with work.
New rules from the Swedish Migration Agency
The Swedish Migration Agency is introducing new rules for better passport check
From 1 November 2022, applicants for a permit to study or conduct research in Sweden must personally show their passport before the Swedish Migration Agency can make a decision.
Read more about the new rules introduced by the Swedish Migration Agency
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
If you are an EU-citizen, you should get the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your local authorities before leaving for Sweden. The EHIC card is a free card that gives you the right to immediate medical treatment equal to Swedish citizens and at a regular patient fee. If you do not bring this card, you risk having to pay full costs.
Read more about the EHIC card on the European Commission's website
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Starting autumn semester 2020 all non-EU/EEA citizens who are tuition fee-paying students will be insured through The Swedish State’s Insurance for Fee-Paying Students (Kammarkollegiet FAS) during the entire study period, no matter the length of the study programme.
The insurance is defined as a Comprehensive Health Insurance and meets the requirements from the Swedish Migration Agency to get a residence permit in Sweden. The Notification of Selection Result from University Admissions is sufficient as proof that you are insured.
The FAS-insurance covers immediate medical and dental care during your stay, during your travels to Sweden, as well as two weeks before and after the study period.
You normally pay the expenses yourself and get reimbursed after filing a claim.
Read more about the terms and conditions and access the claim form
Programme students who started studies 2019 or earlier
Regarding non-EU/EEA citizens only
If you have a residence permit valid for at least one year
If you are a bachelor’s student or a two-year master’s student, you are entitled to the same health benefits as Swedish citizens. You must, however, be registered in the population register and have a personal identification number to get access to health services. Most health services require a patient fee that is non-refundable. Please note that dental care is expensive in Sweden, even if you have a personal identification number.
If you have a residence permit valid for less than one year
Fee-paying students on one-year master’s programmes or courses who hold residence permits for less than 12 months are covered by The Swedish State’s Insurance for Fee-Paying Students (FAS).
Read more about the terms and conditions and access the claim form
Exchange students
All incoming exchange students are covered for accidents, liability and legal expenses through the Swedish State’s Insurance for Foreign Students in Sweden (Student IN Insurance).
EU/EEA citizens are covered for emergency medical and dental care through their European Health Insurance Card. Make sure you bring your card with you when you come to Sweden.
Read more about the terms and conditions and access the claim form
Healthcare in Sweden
In case of illness during a temporary visit to Sweden, you are always entitled to essential healthcare. Usually, you should contact a local primary care centre, where a medical assessment is made, and you will receive an appointment time, or be referred to a specialist.
Healthcare for visitors from other countries (Region Skåne)
Primary health care centre
You are free to choose which primary health care centre you want to be listed at but you will automatically be listed at the one closest to your home if you do not change it.
More information about choosing a health centre or clinic
1177 - Swedish health care hub
At 1177 you can
- get 24-hour medical advice from a nurse by phone. Call 1177 (no area code);
- contact your primary health care centre or clinic;
- read your medical record (requires login with Bank-ID);
- find information about many different conditions and illnesses at their website.
Emergencies - call 112
If you are seriously ill, you should call the emergency number 112 and ask for an ambulance.
Student Health Service
At the Student Health Service you can get different types of support and help from counsellors and nurses. Some of their services include health advice, guidance to the right health care unit, help with sexual health and safe sex, and programmes for managing study stress. You can find more information about the Student Health Service and how to make use of it on the Student Health Service page.
Go to the Student Health Service page
The Student Health Service is available to all students—you do not need a Swedish personal identity number to make use of any of their services!
Studying with a disability
As a student with a disability you have the right to be able to study on equal terms in a good study environment. You can get support from the university if you are a student or doctoral student and have a lasting physical, psychological or other limitation.
Non-EU/EEA citizens and exchange students
Malmö University guarantee housing for tuition fee-paying students during their studies, provided that an application is submitted before the application period closes. For exchange students, housing is offered depending on availability.
Swedish and EU/EEA citizens
On January 1, 2023, Swedish legislation will be renewed which amongst other things will make it illegal for Swedish universities to sublet housing to European students outside exchange agreements as well as national students. Students who received a exemption from paying tuition fees are this case considered as European students, and are no longer eligible for university provided housing.
There are a number of options when it comes to student housing, most student apartments are available through the regional housing agency Boplats Syd. Many students choose to share a place with other students or sublet.
A message from the Student Union
A message from the Student Union Malmö
Get involved in the Student Union Malmö! We are big when you feel small and are here to help you if you get into trouble with your studies. We also have lots of associations and sections as well as soup lunches, student breakfasts, quizzes and music pubs. As a member, you also always get free coffee and really good discounts on things around Malmö.
Types of identity numbers
Personal identity number (personnummer)
During your stay in Sweden, you will likely hear about a personnummer, or Swedish personal identity number, many times. This is a 10- to 12-digit code given to you by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), formatted as YYYYMMDD-XXXX using your date of birth followed by a 4-digit code.
Coordination number (samordningsnummer)
If you are not eligible to apply for a personnummer because you are staying in Sweden for less than one year, you can instead apply for a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) if you can prove you have a need for one—for example, if you will be working part-time during your studies.
Read more about the Swedish personal identity number and coordination number
Matriculation number
The matriculation number is a number assigned to students by an educational institution upon enrolment. This number is used only internally and cannot be used outside of the University. The matriculation number is not the same as the Swedish personal identity number (personnummer). To find out what your matriculation number is, log into your Ladok account. Your matriculation number has a similar format to the personnummer, formatted as YYYYMMDD-TXXX using your date of birth followed by a T and a 3-digit code.
If you are staying less than a year
For those of you that are studying at Malmö University for less than a year, you do not need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency and you will not receive a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer).
If necessary, you can instead apply for a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). The coordination number functions similarly to the Swedish personal identity number (personnummer), but is not the same. You will need to be able to provide details for why you need a coordination number, and it is up to Skatteverket to decide whether to issue a coordination number. To apply, you will need to visit one of Skatteverket's service centres and provide proof of identity and a contact address as well as a filled-out application form. The form is in Swedish, but you can get help filling out the form at the service center when you apply. You can also contact the International Office for help or questions.
Read more about the coordination number
If you are staying for more than a year
For those of you that will be studying at Malmö University for more than a year, you can watch the informational video below from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) about registering with the Swedish Population Register once you've arrived in Sweden. Once you've registered with the Swedish Tax Agency, you will receive a personal identity number (personnummer), which will be very helpful in many different ways during your stay in Sweden. You can read more about registering with the Swedish Tax Agency on their 'Moving to Sweden' webpage, and fill out their form before visiting their service centre.
Important: You will need an address before registering with the Swedish Tax Agency.
If you are newly arrived in Sweden and don't yet have your permanent address for your stay – if, for example, you are staying in a hotel, AirBnB or youth hostel – you will not be able to register with the Swedish Population Register and receive your personnummer. You will also need your apartment number (lägenhetsnummer), which is a 4-digit number that can be found on your housing contract and is not the same as the 3-digit room number used within buildings. If you are living in University Housing, your 4-digit apartment number is included in your housing offer.
Watch the informational video from the Swedish Tax Agency
Go to 'Moving to Sweden' webpage (Swedish Tax Agency)
Fill in the 'Moving to Sweden' form (Swedish Tax Agency)
What to do with a personnummer
Once you've received a personnummer, you will be able to use it in a variety of ways. It can make it much easier to open a bank account, which will in turn allow you to apply for a Mobile BankID. BankID can be used for verifying your identity online for all sorts of purposes: scheduling doctor's appointments, confirming online payments, picking up packages and much more! If you have both a Mobile BankID and a Swedish SIM card, you can start using Swish, Sweden's own app for sending money. Swish is an essential part of every Swede's wallet as Sweden becomes an increasingly cash-free society.
In addition to banking and health care, your personnummer can make even more services accessible to you. Many gyms require a personnummer to get a membership, and many grocery stores and retailers also ask for a personnummer if you wish to join their rewards programs. While a personnummer isn't strictly necessary for everything, it will make your time in Sweden much easier, which is why we recommend getting your personnummer as soon as possible if you're staying in Sweden for more than a year.
BankID support webpage (in Swedish)
We have summed up the most important steps related to your personnummer here:
-
- Get the address of where you will be living while you are in Sweden
- Fill out the 'Moving to Sweden' form from Skatteverket
- Print and bring the form and necessary documents to Skatteverket's service centre to register with the Swedish Population Register
- Wait for Skatteverket to process your registration and deliver your letter with your personnummer home to you
- Apply for a Swedish ID card
- Apply for a bank account
- Apply for a BankID/Mobile BankID
- Download Swish
Financial matters
Living costs
In order to study in Malmö, you'll need to manage your finances to be able to cover your monthly costs. The cost of living in Sweden may be different from your home country, so it is important to plan ahead and budget before your arrival.
Read about cost of living in Sweden at Study in Sweden
Banking
As a student in Sweden, you have the right to open a bank account. You can find information about becoming a bank customer on the Swedish Banker's Association website. It might take a while for the bank to process opening a new account, so plan ahead. If you are staying for less than 6 months in Sweden, we suggest sorting out your banking before you come to Sweden. The best option is to use your existing bank account in your home country.
Becoming a bank customer - Swedish Banker's Association
Opening a bank account in Sweden (pdf)
Bear in mind the regulations regarding money laundering and the strict restrictions that the banks have regarding accepting big amount of cash in transactions; it might be a good idea to not bring large amounts of cash.
Students discounts
You will need one of the the student cards mentioned below to prove your student status and be able to use any student discounts. Your Malmö University student ID card is not a valid student identification outside of the university. Please also note that your Studentkort or Mecenatkort must have the student travel symbol if you want to use the public transport student discount!
Student card STUK (studentkort)
When becoming a member of the Malmö Student Union, you will get access to the Student card STUK (Studentkortet). You can find more information and instructions for obtaining the cards on the Malmö Student Union's website.
How to get your student card (Malmö Student Union website)
FAQs about the student card STUK (Malmö Student Union website)
FAQs about the student card STUK (student card STUK website)
Student card Mecenat (mecenatkort)
If you are not a member of the Student Union, you can still get the Mecenat card (mecenatkort). You'll need to create an account on the Mecenat website using your email address and upload proof of your studies, which you can obtain by downloading a transcript or certificate showing your current enrolment from Ladok.
Safety and security
Safety on campus
It is important that your safety and security is maintained during your studies! Click on the link below to find out how to report any issues with facilities on campus, how to report any incidents, and how to download the app for security information.
Read about security information and fault reporting
In case of an emergency
The emergency phone number in Sweden is 112. This is the number you dial in case of emergency and in current life threatening situations.
To report an incident (not emergency)
To contact the police outside of an emergency or life threatening situation, such as reporting an incident that has already occurred, the number is 114 14.
To get medical advice (not emergency)
Call 1177 to speak to a registered nurse for medical advice and get information about the nearest clinic if you need to see a physician.
Other useful resources
On the Swedish Police website you can find information regarding the current restrictions and entry regulations in place regarding travels to Sweden as well as other important info.
Visit the Swedish Police website
Krisinformation.se is a webpage used by the Swedish authorities to provide emergency information. Information regarding COVID-19 in Sweden can also be found there.
Transportation
Public transportation
The public transportation within Skåne is operated by Skånetrafiken, which you will need to download an app for to fully utilise. The app allows you to buy tickets, find bus and train schedules, plan your trips and get updates about changes in the traffic and routes.
Visit the Skånetrafiken website
Download the Skånetrafiken app (Apple)
Download the Skånetrafiken app (Android)
Buy a ticket without an app
It is possible to pay by other methods if you cannot use the app. However, it is important to note that you cannot pay with cash on any of the buses or trains. Click on the link below for more information; go to 'Översätt' (which means 'translate') in the top right corner and write 'English' to read the information in English.
How to buy a ticket without an app
How to get the student discount and avoid fines
As a student, you are eligible for a 25% discount on your travel with Skånetrafiken. Please note that you must have a valid digital student ID with the student travel symbol (studentresesymbolen). The ID you receive from Malmö University is not a valid student ID when using Skånetrafiken.
Note that you are not eligible for the student discount and can be fined 1500 Swedish crowns (SEK) if you:
- do not have any of the student cards (student card STUK or Mecenat card); or
- have one of the student cards (student card STUK or Mecenat card) but the card does not have the student travel symbol.
Cycling
A convenient solution is Malmö by bike, a subscription service that allow you to use a bike from one of the many bike-stations in the city for one hour at the time.
If you are interested in buying a bike, there are plenty of places to buy a used bike in Malmö. You can also find a bike in the auctions held by the municipality where they sell misplaced bikes that have not been claimed by their owners. You can find more information about biking in Malmö from Malmö Stad, including information about bike rentals, public parking for bikes and safety while biking. The links below are in Swedish so we suggest using the translate-option in your webbrowser.
Read about bike auctions (in Swedish)
Read about biking in Malmö (Malmö Stad)
Electric scooters (elsparkcykel)
Electric scooters (elsparkcykel) can be rented from a number of services throughout the city such as Voi and Lime, or you can purchase your own. It is important to note that e-scooters are subject to the same traffic rules and regulations as bicycles.
Learn Swedish
Exchange Students
All exchange students are offered a language course during their studies at Malmö University. The course, Swedish Language, Culture and Society 1A is equivalent to 5 higher education credits and is not included in your total of 30 selectable credits.
Course information about Swedish Language, Culture and Society 1A
Fee-paying students
The tuition-fee for students studying a programme at Malmö University covers one Swedish or English language course.
Learn Swedish in Malmö
The City of Malmö offers various opportunities for you to practise Swedish in Malmö – language cafés, language walks in the park, digital training and other activities. All events are free of charge.
Practise Swedish in Malmö (in Swedish)
Swedish for immigrants – SFI
Join a Swedish for immigrant course, for free. You will not only learn about the Swedish language but also about Swedish society and work life. You can study SFI if you are registered in the population register in the municipality of Malmö, or if you are an EU citizen with a residence permit. Even accompanying family members can study SFI.
Explore Skåne and Sweden
Skåne is a province located at the most southern tip of Sweden, connected to Denmark by the famous Öresund Bridge. Skåne is well known for it’s beautiful scenery, outstanding culinary experiences and high quality of life.
Sweden's is a multifaceted country with a lot of different places to discover. Take a look at Visit Sweden, Sweden's official website for tourism and travel information, and start planning your next adventure.
