Must-know: authorities and words you meet in everyday life

In Sweden you deal with many authorities (myndigheter). Their names and words often appear in letters, online and in the national test. Here are the most important ones.

Authorities and services

• Skatteverket (the Tax Agency): population registration (folkbokföring), personal identity numbers, ID cards and tax.
• Migrationsverket (the Migration Agency): residence permits and citizenship.
• Arbetsförmedlingen (the Public Employment Service): help to find work and training.
• Försäkringskassan (the Social Insurance Agency): for example child allowance, parental benefit and sickness benefit.
• 1177: advice on healthcare and health. Call 1177 or go to 1177.se. You can also book an appointment at your health centre (vårdcentral) there.
• 112: call in an emergency, for example a fire, an accident or sudden serious illness.
• 114 14: the police number when it is not an emergency.

Words in letters and online

Swedish	Meaning
en ansökan	an application, when you ask for something, for example a benefit
ett beslut	a decision, the authority's answer
en blankett	a form you fill in, on paper or online
en kallelse	a letter with a time when you must come
en handläggare	a case officer, the person who works on your case
ett ärende	your case or question with the authority
ett intyg	a certificate, a paper that shows something, for example that you are ill
en avgift	a fee, money you must pay
senast	at the latest, the last date you can do something

Tip

Read letters carefully and look for dates and the word senast (at the latest). That is often the most important part. Don't understand? Call and ask. Many authorities and healthcare services can give you an interpreter (tolk).