Over recent decades Sweden has taken in large numbers of refugees and workers from Muslim-majority countries. Islam has become an important part of society, especially in the large urban areas. The country offers an innovative labour market, a strong culture of consensus and well-developed anti-discrimination legislation, but also high expectations in terms of language and qualifications.
This guide helps you target the right sectors and prepare your move to Sweden.
Sweden's Muslim population
Sweden's Muslims have very varied origins, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Bosnia, Somalia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo, Eritrea and Pakistan. They live mainly in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, as well as Uppsala, Örebro and Västerås. The large mosques of Stockholm and Malmö are landmarks, supplemented by many neighbourhood associations.
Swedish is essential for most jobs. The State offers free Swedish for Immigrants courses (SFI), which are often the first step towards integration into work. The population speaks excellent English, which is enough in some international companies.
Discrimination and religious freedom at work
The Swedish Discrimination Act prohibits unfavourable treatment on grounds including religion or other belief, ethnicity and sex. It also requires employers to carry out active preventive work. The Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO) receives reports, provides information and can take certain cases to court. Trade unions also play a central role in defending employees.
The headscarf is worn in many sectors, including the civil service and healthcare. Some local authorities have, however, debated restrictions in education, and case law has varied from case to case. Questions about refusing a task on religious grounds also arise, for example regarding handshakes; it is best to approach this kind of topic calmly with the employer. These points are general: the DO or a lawyer can analyse your situation.
A labour market framed by collective agreements
Sweden has no statutory minimum wage; pay is set by collective agreements covering the vast majority of employees. The Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) supports jobseekers, particularly newcomers, with integration programmes. Flexible hours are common and make it easier to organise prayer and fasting, which can be very long in summer. See our page on prayer in the workplace.
Sectors to explore
Technology and industry
Stockholm is one of Europe's major tech hubs, and Swedish industry (automotive, telecoms, equipment) recruits engineers and technicians. You should, however, check the employer's activity: online gambling and consumer credit companies are numerous in the Swedish ecosystem. Our page on Islamic fintech presents alternatives.
Healthcare, care and education
Healthcare and elderly care are short of staff. Schools also recruit mother-tongue teachers, including for Arabic, Somali and Persian.
Halal retail and food
Halal grocery shops, butchers, restaurants, wholesalers and importers have grown strongly, especially in Malmö and in the suburbs of Stockholm and Gothenburg. Entrepreneurship is common.
Interpreting and social services
Authorised interpreters and social workers who speak the languages of immigrant communities are sought after by municipalities and regions.
Permissibility points to watch
In Sweden, retail sale of alcohol above a low strength is reserved for the state monopoly Systembolaget; supermarkets sell only low-alcohol drinks. Exposure in large retail is therefore limited. Finance, which is highly developed, relies heavily on interest, however, and gambling platforms are numerous. For an ambiguous position, it is advisable to consult a qualified scholar.
Work permits and recognition of qualifications
EU citizens can work freely and register with the Tax Agency to obtain a personal identity number. Third-country nationals must obtain a work permit from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), based on an offer that meets collective agreement terms and a salary threshold. Recognition of foreign qualifications is handled by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR); healthcare professions and teaching require specific authorisation.
Practical checklist
- Enrol in SFI courses as soon as you obtain your personal identity number.
- Have your qualifications assessed by UHR.
- Register with Arbetsförmedlingen for integration programmes.
- Target healthcare, education, tech and halal retail.
- Check that the employer does not operate in gambling or interest-based credit.
- Contact the DO or your union in the event of discrimination.
- Be aware that many permanent contracts begin with a probationary period of up to six months (provanställning).
- Build a network through mosques, associations and professional groups: many Swedish jobs are filled through contacts before they are ever advertised.
The two reference lists
Sources and resources
- World Bank – Jobs and Development — World Bank work on employment and job creation.
- Your Europe – Working in the EU — Rights of mobile workers in the EU: equal treatment, residence and recognition of professional qualifications.
- LinkedIn Jobs — Job listings and professional networking platform, useful for spotting recruiters and target companies.
- EURES, the European job mobility portal — Vacancies published across EU countries plus information on living and working conditions in each country.
- Europass — European tools for writing a CV and presenting your qualifications and skills in a clear, comparable way.