Istanbul at night: Galata Tower and the lights along the water
Guide Turkey → Sweden · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Turkey to Sweden

A plain checklist: the visa routes, what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Sweden.

Photo: Pexels
First: can you move?

You need a permit to live in Sweden

Turkey is not in the EU, so living and working in Sweden needs a residence and work permit; you apply online to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) before you come. Short visits need a Schengen visa.

Job
WorkA work and residence permit, with a job offer.
Uni
StudyA residence permit to study in Sweden.
Fam
FamilyJoining a spouse or family in Sweden.

Which route fits you: Migrationsverket, Sweden's official migration agency. We don't give visa advice.

Before you go

Your checklist in Turkey

  1. Your permit approved and a valid passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas; apostilles and sworn translations.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (not set by law; it depends on the contract), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Swedish: after arriving you can join free SFI courses; English is widely spoken too.
  5. Set up your home TV before you go, so it works on day one (how to watch Turkish TV in Sweden).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Sweden

Home TV, ready when you land

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Turkish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Turkish TV in Sweden →
Advertisement: Turkish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Sweden

  1. Residence permit card: at Migrationsverket, with fingerprints and a photo.
  2. Population register: if you plan to live in Sweden for 1 year or more and have a valid residence permit, register with Skatteverket; you get a personnummer.
  3. Health: once registered you use your region's health care.
  4. Bank account: usually needs a personnummer.
  5. TV fee: no separate one; it is part of income tax.
  6. Driving: check with Transportstyrelsen how long your Turkish licence is valid.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit to work in Sweden?

Yes. Turkish citizens get a work and residence permit from Migrationsverket before they come.

Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short visits.

What is a personnummer?

Your Swedish personal number; you need it for the bank, the doctor and work.

Do Swedish lessons cost money?

No. SFI courses are free for registered adults.

Can I watch Turkish TV in Sweden?

Yes. Our Turkish TV in Sweden guide shows every option.

More for Turkish people in Sweden

Guides for you

Turkish TV in SwedenThe Turkish channels live, and how the official options compare.The Turkish community in SwedenHow many, where people live, mosques, Turkish lessons and where people meet online.Moving to SwedenThe visa routes, before you go and your first weeks.
Sources