Preparations before arrival

What you should do before arrival

After you got the letter of acceptance, you should start thinking about what you need for your stay in Stockholm.

Residence permit

The first thing to do is to make sure you have the right to live in Sweden.

If you are coming from a non EU/EEA country, remember that you have to apply for a residence permit for studies (see the KTH page about it).
You need a valid passport for the entire duration of your studies.  For your residence permit, you will need to leave your biometric data at the Swedish embassy (in some cases, you will be able to leave your biometric data after you arrive in Sweden). You will also need to provide the following documents:

  • A copy of a valid passport
  • Letter of Acceptance/Notification of Selection Results as proof of admission to KTH and the duration of your studies
  • Proof that you can support yourself during your stay in Sweden. A minimum of SEK 8010 per month for the entire study period is required (further details here)
  • Proof of payment of the residence permit application fee (SEK 1000)
  • If the duration of your studies is 1 year or less: a valid health insurance for the entire period of studies

If you are a Swiss citizen, you have right of residence for three months, and you will need to apply for a permit if you wish/need to stay longer.

If you are a EU/EEA/Nordic citizen, then you do not need to apply for a residence permit.

Stuff to bring

Here’s a list of the documents you shall bring with you.

  • Letter of Acceptance
  • Valid passport
  • Residence permit (for non EU/EAA)
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are an EU-citizen, or other health insurance documents you may need
  • Documents about your previous studies

I’ll cover money on a separate guide.

And here’s a list of things you’ll need for sure during your stay: bring them or buy them here 😀

  • Laptop: while there are computer rooms on campus, it would be unpractical to do all your assignments there. Depending on your course choices, you might need some resource-heavy programs.
  • Travel adapter: the sockets here are Type F, so you can safely connect all plugs type E, F and C.
  • Plugs
  • Winter clothes: this includes a heavy jacket/coat, gloves (possibly skiing gloves), heavy trousers/thermal underwear. And also some high, waterproof shoes. In the winter the temperature goes all the way to ‑15°C some days, with ‑5°C average; there’s also snow and rain, and here they use gravel on the streets to prevent slipping on ice.
  • Raincoat: since it’s windy, you might find yourself in a situation where the umbrella is utterly useless
  • Kitchen stuff: if you’ll live in a studio apartment, you will need to buy almost everything. Of course, you should buy cookware and cutlery here, unless you need some highly specific product.

Arrival day

If you are landing on one of the arrival days, that is August 1st or 21st-22nd, then you will have some extra services. If you have housing with KTH, you will have extended opening hours for picking up your keys and you will get a bedding kit (a pillow and a duvet).

On campus, there will be a luggage storage service so you don’t have to carry your suitcase around. There will also be the chance to meet some fellow students, and get a goodie bag (in 2015 there were some flyers, a map and a sim card with Tre, preloaded with 0,5 GB!).

  • If you’re landing at Arlanda, then you will have a free shuttle to the campus, leaving every hour from 09:00 to 21:00 (included). There will also be student guides welcoming you at terminals 2 and 5.
  • If you’re landing at Skavsta there will be no free shuttle. The student guides will be there between 11:00 and 17:00.

If you need to arrange the trip yourself, then these are the best options:

  • If you’re landing at Skavsta the only option worth considering is Flygbussarna, which will take you straight to Stockholm central station.
  • If you’re landing at Arlanda, you’re going to/near the central station, and are in a hurry, the fastest way is the Arlanda Express (once you have a student card, you can get a discount).
  • If you’re landing at Arlanda, Flygbussarna is cheaper, and since it makes several stops along the way it could also be faster.

If you are traveling with Flygbussarna, remember that you’ll save 20 SEK if you buy online or on the app.
Otherwise you can purchase your ticket full price at the ticket machines/convenience stores near the stop, or even on board with credit/debit card.

Remember that on August 1st and August 21nd there’s also a BBQ organized by THS. Have you read about all the events with THS?