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Swedish for immigrants, sfi

Swedish for immigrants, sfi is a free course for adults who want to learn Swedish. It helps you learn the language and prepare for work or further studies.

If you have already decided to apply for Swedish for immigrants, SFI, you can follow the instructions and links below to access the application. 

If you want to learn more, you can scroll down to read about what this type of education involves and the opportunities available.

Apply for SFI– first time studying in Gothenburg

If you have not studied SFI in Gothenburg before, you first need to book an appointment for an information meeting, where you will also receive help filling out your application. You can choose an information meeting in different languages: Swedish, English, Arabic, and Ukrainian. Contact us if you need interpreter assistance; see the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Please note: You need to log in with BankID or create an account in order to book an appointment.

Click the button to book a time for the information meeting. The button will take you to a site outside of goteborg.se. The e-service is in Swedish.

Book an appointment

  • Meetings at the school take place at Labor Market och Adult Education 
  • Online meetings take place on Microsoft Teams

If you cannot come to your booked time, cancel your time and book a new one. Read more abour the meeting further down the page.

You can apply up to 3 months before you want to start. Only people registered as living in Gothenburg or Öckerö can book through this webpage. 

If you have protected personal data

Do not apply online, please contact us for help. 

Apply for SFI if you studied SFI in Gothenburg before

If you have studied SFI in Gothenburg before, you can apply through our online catalogue. To apply online, you need an e-identification (e-ID). You can apply up to 3 months before you want to start. The application service is in Swedish.

Apply online if you studied sfi in Gothenburg before

If you live in another municipality

If you are registered as living in a municipality other than Gothenburg or Öckerö, you must apply by filling in the form, (in swedish) Sfi-ansökan för personer som inte är folkbokförda i Göteborg

You need special reasons to study SFI in another municipality. Write your reasons in your application. You can also attach your study plan (if you have studied before) and certificates or documents that support your reasons.

Send the completed form SFI application for people not registered in Gothenburg to Labor Market and Adult Education in Gothenburg. You will receive a decision by email. 

If you are from Ukraine and missing a personal number

You can study SFI. Book a meeting using the button at the top of the page  and use your coordination number (or contact us if you don’t have one). Bring your residence permit card or decision from the Migration Agency and passport or national ID to the meeting.

EU citizen with no personal number

Visit Labor Market and Adult Eduaction, Brogatan 4 or International House, Järnvågsgatan 3 instead of applying online. Bring passport or national ID and documents that show you live in Sweden (i.e.  job contract, proof of enrollment in studies, or something affirming your address).

About the meeting if you study sfi for the first time

During the meeting you will, in a group setting get information about sfi in the language you choose when you booked. You will also get to talk to a teacher (with interpreter if needed) and answer questions about your previous studies, work, and goals you have with your studies.

It is important that you tell us if you need special assistence or support in your studies, like hearing or vision support.

Important to bring to the meeting

  • A valid ID (Swedish or foreign ID + personal number proof)
  • If you partake in the The introduction programme (etableringsprogrammet) through the Swedish public employment agency, bring documentation about your inclusion in the programme
  • SFI grades from another municipality (if you have them).

About Swedish for immigrants (sfi)

You can study sfi if you are 16 years or older (from 1 July the year you turn 16), do not have basic knowledge of Swedish, and are registered as living in Gothenburg or have approval from your home municipality. If you are between 16 and 20 years old, you may also be able to study in an upper secondary school programme (Language Introduction).

Before you start, we assess your background and knowledge to place you at a suitable level. There are three study paths: Study Path 1 for beginners with little or no schooling, Study Path 2 for those who can read and write, and Study Path 3 for those with more education.

The length of your studies depends on your background and how quickly you learn. You normally have up to three years to complete sfi. If needed, you can apply for an extension, but you must have special circumstances, such as parental leave, illness, work or other personal reasons. The municipality makes an individual assessment and will discuss your situation with you before making a decision. If you interrupt your studies, you can apply to return, but you must have valid reasons and time left within your study period.

You can study in different ways depending on your situation. You can study full-time (15–30 hours per week) or part-time (6–12 hours per week), during the day or in the evening. Evening classes are always part-time and start after 17:30. You can also study online, either full-time or part-time, or choose flexible studies that combine lessons at school with self-study. Some study options require previous upper secondary education, study skills and access to a computer.

You can also combine your studies with a workplace placement. This allows you to practise Swedish while gaining work experience.

Introduction to SFI

The video is in English

Relaterad information

Person läser en bok i en soffa

Information om sfi finns även på svenska

Här får du veta vem som kan läsa sfi, vilken nivå du börjar på och hur du kan studera. Du kan välja det som passar din vardag och dina mål. Du får också veta hur du söker beroende på din situation.

People are working on a task together around a table.

New rules for SFI from 1 January 2026

From 1 January 2026, new national rules apply to studies in SFI (Swedish for immigrants). The most important change is that you must complete SFI within three years.

Kontakta arbetsmarknad och vuxenutbildning

If you have questions or feedback about Swedish for immigrants (sfi), you can contact the Department of Labour Market and Adult Education.

Öppettider

Förvaltning

Telefon
031-365 00 00 (Göteborgs Stads kontaktcenter)

Besöksadress

Brogatan 4
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Postadress

Arbetsmarknad och vuxenutbildning
402 29 Göteborg
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