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10 possibilities and rights

For decades, the Nordic countries have secured a wide range of rights for their citizens in the region. Every day, students, job-seekers and companies contact Info Norden to find out about their possibilities to make use of the freedom of movement in the Nordic countries, and about their rights in other Nordic countries. Listed below are the ten topics most frequently asked about when people contacted Info Norden in 2023.

  1. Rights of non-Nordic citizens: The Nordic labour market is of interest to job-seekers from all over the world, including in the fields of health, IT, logistics and engineering. Many third-country nationals resident in the Nordic countries also contact Info Norden with questions about work permits in other Nordic countries.
  2. Work, job seeking and unemployment benefits: Job-seekers want to know how to find work in other Nordic countries, what rights and obligations they have in the labour market, how to obtain unemployment benefits if they become unemployed, and whether they can take their unemployment benefits with them to another Nordic country while looking for a job.
  3. Social security: Both individuals and companies seek information on applicable law, pensions, parental benefit, family benefits, housing benefit, sickness benefit and unemployment insurance in connection with relocation, commuting, temporary residence and teleworking.
  4. Civil registration, ID and civil registration numbers: Residents want to know what the requirements are for civil registration in the individual Nordic countries, and how they can obtain a civil registration number and e-ID when they move, work, study or buy a house in another Nordic country.
  5. School and education: Children, young people, parents and student counsellors seek information on how to take all or part of a study programme at all levels in a neighbouring Nordic country, and about the various subjects on offer. 
  6. Customs and taxation: Employers, workers, job-seekers, students and pensioners seek information on customs and taxation rules, for example if they live in one Nordic country and earn their income in another, or if they intend to move from one country to another.
  7. Society: Many Nordic citizens seek information about the citizenship rules for children born abroad, dual citizenship and the rules for voting in elections if you have emigrated.
  8. Travelling with animals, plants and foodstuffs: Many people travel with dogs or cats to visit family members or friends or to work abroad, and seek information about the rules for taking their pets with them to other Nordic countries. Others want to know what rules apply when they travel with food, plants or weapons. 
  9. Consumer questions: Consumers seek information about goods and services, including banking, insurance, postage and delivery costs, and about their rights when they buy from companies domiciled in other Nordic countries.
  10. Business: Companies seek information about registration, VAT and payroll taxes, and ask questions about cross-border workers, home offices, social security, taxation and work permits – for example if they wish to establish themselves or carry out tasks of short duration in another Nordic country.
For 25 years, Info Norden has provided answers to young people and others who intend to relocate, study or change their job  in the Nordic Region. This is important work which furthers the Nordic ambition to become the world’s most integrated region.
Anders P. Hansen, president of the Nordic Youth Council