Sweden in Focus

In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it. We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Sweden and DenmarkWhy the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to meReader insights'Sometimes I explode inside': How foreigners in Sweden become more Swedish to fit inTen signs you're becoming more Swedish than the SwedesGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it. We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation.For Membership+ subscribers we examine how Sweden appears to have accidentally proposed blocking Swiss people from permanent residency.Last, but certainly not least, we dig into an eye-opening report breaking down immigrants’ contribution to Swedish society by nationality.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Sweden and DenmarkWhy the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to meReader insights'Sometimes I explode inside': How foreigners in Sweden become more Swedish to fit inTen signs you're becoming more Swedish than the SwedesImmigrationHas Sweden accidentally proposed abolishing permanent residency for Swiss citizens?Immigrants contribute more to the Swedish economy than people born in SwedenWhich immigrants contribute most to the Swedish economy – and why?

In this week's episode you can hear a conversation that editor Emma Löfgren had recently for our My Swedish Career series with Elizabeth Wright Veintimilla, a social impact professional from Ecuador who moved to Sweden when her husband got a job here.In the interview, Emma asks Elizabeth about her first impressions of Sweden, how she created a vibrant professional network from scratch, and what advice she would give others about moving to Sweden and making a life here. MY SWEDISH CAREER:'You can influence the way people behave towards foreigners'INTERVIEW: 'You don't want me in Sweden? Yeah, sure, I don't care' My Swedish Career: 'Try to understand how the Swedish system works'

In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job.For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs, and why party leaders have been reprimanded after calling for a slow down in citizenship processing.Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:DonationDonate to The LocalWork permitsHow Sweden wants to make it easier to change employers on a work permitSweden set to double three-month deadline for (some) laid-off work permit holdersMidsummerWhy is Midsummer's Eve celebrated in Sweden?The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish MidsummerGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job.For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs, and why party leaders have been reprimanded after calling for a slow down in citizenship processing.Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:DonationDonate to The LocalWork permitsHow Sweden wants to make it easier to change employers on a work permitSweden set to double three-month deadline for (some) laid-off work permit holdersMidsummerWhy is Midsummer's Eve celebrated in Sweden?The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish MidsummerRacismARCHIVE: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity'Swedish citizenshipSweden's Constitution Committee criticises government for citizenship slowdown

This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features a chat host Paul O'Mahony had recently with Aakritee Tiwari, a corporate lawyer from India who has made a successful career for herself in Sweden.In the interview she speaks about how life in Stockholm compares to Dubai where she worked previously, and what it’s been like raising twins in SwedenShe also lets us know how she has gone about learning Swedish, how she juggles integrating in Sweden with preserving her Indian heritage, and how work life differs in Sweden and India.And we find out why her experience of Sweden has been overwhelmingly positive despite some bureaucratic hurdles along the way.

This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers.And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:AlcoholWhat Sweden's new alcohol law means for buyers and producersFamilySwedish inquiry calls for official state apology to international adopteesGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers.And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees.For Membership+ subscribers we discuss how Sweden’s biggest political party, the Social Democrats, is gearing up for next year’s general election.Finally, with updates expected this month on new salary requirements for work permit holders, we look at how the current limit has already led to staffing shortages in Sweden’s elderly care service as immigrant workers are forced to leave the country.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:AlcoholWhat Sweden's new alcohol law means for buyers and producersFamilySwedish inquiry calls for official state apology to international adopteesPoliticsWhat direction did Sweden's Social Democrats set for the 2026 election?Work permitsWhen will Sweden raise the work permit salary threshold?

In this week's episode we hear from Canadian entrepreneur Francisca Leonardo as she explains how she first came to Stockholm as a tourist and immediately felt it was a place she could see herself living in. In her recent conversation with The Local’s editor Emma Löfgren she talks us through how she went from being a master's student in biotechnology to setting up a flourishing tour company showing visitors sides of Stockholm they might otherwise miss. And what was it like working through culture shock as first impressions gave way to a more nuanced understanding of how Sweden works?