Civic orientation

Last updated: 6/4-2023

About Sweden – an orientation about Swedish society.

Civic orientation courses are free of charge and are offered to people who have recently been granted a residence permit in Sweden, in order for them to learn about Swedish society.

You can do the course in your native language, in easy-to-understand Swedish, or in some other language that you know. The course is organised by the municipality where you live and has a duration of at least 100 hours.

The course includes sections on:

  • Human rights
  • Fundamental democratic values
  • Rights and obligations
  • How Swedish society is organised
  • Practical everyday life

Who can attend a civic orientation course?

If you have recently been granted a residence permit and have an introduction programme from Arbetsförmedlingen, or if you are a next-of-kin immigrant, you can attend a civic orientation course.

Why should you do a civic orientation course?

To learn about your rights and obligations, about Swedish democracy and about how Swedish society is organised. The course is also about practical everyday life, including issues to do with work and education, housing, health and medical care, and children and families.

The purpose of civic orientation is to make it easier for you to get into Swedish society.

You will receive a certificate when you have completed the course.

How do you register to attend a civic orientation course?

  • If you have recently been granted a residence permit and are registered on an introduction programme from Arbetsförmedlingen, you can speak to your case worker at Arbetsförmedlingen about registering on a course.
  • If you are in contact with the social services, your case worker there can register you on a course.

Contact the municipality where you live if you want to know more about how civic orientation courses work.