Are you from Ukraine and looking for work?

Have you moved to Sweden due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Here, you can read about how to register as a jobseeker and what support we can provide you.

In March 2022, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive. With support from the Temporary Protection Directive, as a refugee from Ukraine, you can receive a temporary residence permit in Sweden. Apply for it from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) (migrationsverket.se). With a temporary residence permit, you are entitled to work in Sweden.

Depending on how long you have been in Sweden, you may be eligible for different kinds of support from the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).

  • If you are able to register in the Swedish Population Register after the EU extended the Temporary Protection Directive for another year, then you are eligible for the introduction programme (etableringsprogrammet) from the Public Employment Service. You are also eligible for the introduction programme if you will be able to register as of 1 November 2024, when a new law on registration in the Population Register enters into force.
  • If you are protected by the Temporary Protection Directive but cannot register in the Swedish Population Register, you may be eligible for some forms of individual recruitment incentive, because in that case, the insurance is handled by the employer.

The introduction programme consists of individually tailored initiatives and support, while you are actively searching for a job. The goal is to be able to learn Swedish, find a job and financially support yourself as quickly as possible. When you are in the introduction programme, you are eligible for the Public Employment Service’s entire range of services and you receive compensation from the Public Employment Service. You are also entitled to our individual recruitment incentive.

Introduction programme

Labour market entry agreement

Labour market entry agreement (etableringsjobb) is a form of subsidized employment. If you've been unemployed for an extended period of time or fall into a specific category of newcomers, you may qualify for an etableringsjobb. In this scenario, you need to find an employer willing to hire you for an etableringsjobb position. This form of employment is temporary, lasting up to two years on a full-time basis with the employer who brings you on board. The aim for the etableringsjobb is to lead to a permanent position.

Introductory jobs

An introductory job is a job with a private or public employer that gives you the opportunity to enter working life. The company that employs you will also receive a subsidy for your salary. An introductory job can be either a permanent or a temporary job. You can also have a part-time introductory job if you have permanently reduced working capacity.

New Start Jobs

New Start Jobs give people who have been away from working life for a long time a chance to get back into it again. The company that employs you will also receive a subsidy for your salary. New Start Jobs can be permanent or temporary jobs and either full or part time. For an employer to be able to hire you with the help of a new start job, you must have been signed up and registered as unemployed for six months in a nine-month period.

Wage subsidy

If you have a disability, you can get a job that is adapted to your circumstances. Wage subsidy is a financial subsidy for your employer to compensate the employer for adapting the job and the workplace to your circumstances. You can work for both private and public employers. You can have a permanent or a temporary job and you can work either full time or part time.

You do not have access to support such as employment training, validation of competencies or work experience. Nor can you take part in the introduction programme, Youth Job Programme (jobbgarantin för ungdomar), or the Job and Development Programme (jobb- och utvecklingsgarantin). This is because our insurance does not cover people who are not listed in the Swedish Population Register.

Certain requirements must be met for each form of support. You can discuss which support works for you with an Employment Officer.

How do I register as unemployed?

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If you would like support in seeking a job in Sweden you can register with Arbetsförmedlingen.

What kind of jobs are available?

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There are many industries in Sweden that are recruiting personnel.

Sign up

If you want help looking for a job in Sweden, you can sign up (register) with the Public Employment Service.

If you already registered when you have had a residence permit, you do not need to register again upon becoming registered in the Swedish Population Register. However, you do need to contact us if you want to participate in the introduction programme. You have the right to an interpreter when interacting with the Public Employment Service.

Register with the Public Employment Service by visiting a service office (statenssc.se).

When you visit the service office, bring with you:

  • valid identification, such as a passport, and the residence permit or confirmation of application for extended residency that you received from the Swedish Migration Agency.
  • a coordination number (samordningsnummer (skatteverket.se)). If you have a coordination number, bring it with you. If you have not received a coordination number, you can apply for one at the service office. A coordination number confirms the identity of a person who is not listed in the Swedish Population Register.

If you are among the few people who are protected by the Temporary Protection Directive and you have been able to register in the Swedish Population Register for a reason other than your residence permit, for example through a connection to another EU/EEA citizen, then you can register on our website using BankID.

Planning meeting

Once you have signed up, you will be offered a planning meeting with an Employment Officer (in English or with an interpreter if needed).

At the meeting, you and the Employment Officer will go through, among other things:

  • your skills
  • what jobs you are looking for
  • what support you can receive from us
  • how to achieve your goals.

If you have access to your certifications and transcripts, do bring them to the planning meeting. It is possible to have your transcript translated.

Which support you can receive from the Public Employment Service depends largely on whether you are registered in the Swedish Population Register. See what support you can receive from us above.

Find vacancies

Vacancies that employers report to Arbetsförmedlingen can be found in our job database Platsbanken.

Search for work in Platsbanken (listings in Swedish)