Life in Malmoe

Healthcare in Malmoe

Sweden has one of the most efficient and well managed public healthcare systems in the world, which is good news for expatriates living in Malmoe. Although adults must pay a nominal fee for all treatment, healthcare for people under the age of 20 is completely free.

The public healthcare system is available to every resident of Sweden, including expatriates with residence permits, and everyone has the same right of access to healthcare. Until they obtain a residence permit, EU citizens will be able to use their EHIC card to get treatment, whereas non-EU citizens will need private healthcare insurance.

Despite the excellent public healthcare system, many expatriates prefer to use the private healthcare system. Treatment in private facilities is far more expensive, so expatriates are advised to get comprehensive coverage. There are a number of private facilities located in Malmoe that would be suitable for expatriates.

Transportation in Malmoe

If you want to be able to drive legally on the road whilst living in Malmoe then you are able to do so with the driving license from your country of origin for up to one year, after which you must obtain a Swedish license. You will be required by law to use winter tires between December and March and to keep your headlights on all year round. Although it is a major city, the road system in Malmoe is well maintained and rarely congested, and has links to the major European motorway network with connections to Denmark and Norway.

Malmoe also has an extensive public transport network that connects the city with the rest of Scandinavia. The Oresund Line has connections to Copenhagen, and there are intercity trains to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Kalmar. In the city itself many people ride bicycles, as there are 410 km (250 mi) of cycle lanes throughout Malmoe; it is estimated that 40% of all commuting is done by bike.

Education in Malmoe

Sweden has a free, compulsory education system for all children aged between 7 and 16. However, parents are encouraged to send their children to voluntary preschool from the age of 1.

Although the public education system is of excellent quality, many expatriates living in Malmoe instead choose to send their children to an international school, where they can be taught in English and receive internationally accepted qualifications. The main international schools in Malmoe are Malmoe International School, Bladins International School, and ESS International School. Malmoe University, established in 1998, is the eighth largest in Sweden, and excels in biotechnology and life sciences. The nearby Lund University, which was established in 1666, also has some campuses located in Malmoe; The United Nations World Maritime University also has a campus in the city.