Gällivare
Gällivare lies 100 km north of the Arctic Circle. Around 18,000 persons live in the municipality, and are close to work, services and nature. There is a hospital here, well-established childcare, good schools, lots of associations and a varied range of cultural events on offer. In addition to a differentiated business sector, mineral extraction has been the primary industry for decades.
Facts about the municipality
Population numbers
22906
Size by area
20553 km²
The country's greatest societal transformation of its kind is in progress here. 250,000 square metres of new housing, municipal facilities and commercial premises will be built over the next 20 years.
Housing
There is a great lack of housing in Gällivare. There are the following housing companies: Topbostäder, HSB, Riksbyggen, Hemåt Fastigheter, LKAB Fastigheter and Focusfastigheter. Once you have received a permanent residence permit, you should joint the housing companies' housing queues straight away.
List of landlords
Language groups in the locality
In Gällivare, Swedish, Sami, Tornedalian and Finnish are spoken. Some of the largest languages among new arrivals are Dari, Persian, Somali, Tigrinya, Amharic, English, Russian and Thai.
Associations and organisations
Gällivare has many and active associations, offering a large range of leisure activities, such as sports, music, theatre, arts, dance, cultural and political associations. There are several churches in Gällivare: Church of Sweden, West Laestadian Prayer House, Pentecostal Church, Salvation Army, Jehova's Witnesses, Mission Covenant Church of Sweden and New Life. The nearest Muslim congregation is in Luleå.
Being active in an association is fun, and you get to know new people with the same interest. Many associations also have activities for children and young persons. If you want help to find the association/church that suits you in particular, please contact the integration coordinator via telephone 0970-81 80 00 or email integration@gallivare.se.
What is available in the immediate area
Gällevare centre has shops, the Swedish Migration Board, social insurance office, employment service, tax office, an indoor swimming pool and library. There are also shops around 1 km north of Gällivare (ICA, Coop and others), and a bus departs from Gällivare centre.
Childcare
Childcare is available in Gällivare. You can apply for a nursery school place for you child if you are working, studying, on parental leave or are actively seeking work. More information about nursery schools and how to apply is available on the municipality's website. If you want help with applying for a nursery school place, please contact the integration coordinator via telephone 0970-81 80 00 or email integration@gallivare.se.
Compulsory schools and upper secondary schools
Gällivare municipality has several comprehensive schools for years 1-9.
The upper secondary school invests in new technology, and all pupils and teachers have their own portable computer for use in the school work. All pupils are also entitled to read the courses needed to qualify them for further education.
Education opportunities
Adult education, Swedish for Immigrants and a neighbourhood college, as well as social orientation for new arrivals, is available in Malmberget, around 5 km north of Gällivare.
Health and medical care
Gällivare has a hospital, medical centre, ante-natal clinic, youth clinic, child healthcare clinic, emergency room and dental clinic.
Interpreter assistance
With all contact with the authorities, the municipality and health services, you are entitled to interpreting help if you do not speak or understand Swedish. This is booked in advance of the actual meeting.
Public transport
Gällivare is connected via plane, train and bus. The flight time to Stockholm is around 2.5 hours. Trains to Luleå take 2.5 hours and trains to Kiruna 1 hour. There are daily bus connections between Gällivare centre and Malmberget.
Work and entrepreneurship
Major employers in Gällivare include Gällivare municipality, LKAB, Boliden and Region Norrbotten. Gällivare has many small businesses in technology, mining and services.
