Looking for free Swedish courses in Sweden? If you have recently moved to Sweden, Svenska för invandrare (SFI) is the main government-funded way to learn Swedish for free. SFI helps newcomers develop Swedish language skills, understand Swedish society, find work, and manage everyday life. In most cases, you need a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) to register.
If you do not have a personnummer yet, you can consider paid options such as Folkuniversitetet, Medborgarskolan, or private tutoring platforms like Preply.
What is SFI?
SFI means Svenska för invandrare, or Swedish for immigrants. The programme is organized and funded by your municipality, and classes are usually provided through Komvux (kommunal vuxenutbildning), the municipal adult education system.
SFI is designed for beginners and teaches practical Swedish, including speaking, reading, writing, and basic knowledge of Swedish society. You may be able to study full-time or part-time and combine your studies with work, parental leave, or other education.
Who can apply for free Swedish classes?
To apply for SFI, you generally need to be at least 16 years old and have a valid residence permit or EU/EEA citizenship. Registration requirements can vary between municipalities, so contact your local municipality for the latest information. You will usually need a personnummer to register.
From January 2026, you normally have three years to complete SFI from the date you register. Extensions may be available in special circumstances, including illness, parental leave, or disability.
How to apply for SFI in Sweden
- Find your local municipality and visit its adult education website.
- Search for Vuxenutbildning, SFI, or Utbildning på Komvux.
- Check the eligibility and registration requirements.
- Submit your application and choose an available SFI school or study schedule.
Many municipality websites are available only in Swedish, but SFI information is often also provided in English. Here are application resources for three major cities:
- Stockholm: Vuxenutbildning in Stockholm
- Gothenburg: Vuxenutbildning in Gothenburg
- Malmö: Vuxenutbildning in Malmö
To find your municipality, use the municipality list from SKR.
Free resources to practise Swedish
Use these free resources alongside your SFI lessons to improve your listening, reading, and everyday Swedish:
- SVT Play — Swedish public television
- UR Play — educational content
- 8 Sidor — news in simple Swedish
- Radio Sweden på lätt svenska — radio in easy Swedish
What can you study after SFI?
After completing SFI, you can continue with SVA (Svenska som andraspråk) through Komvux. SVA offers more advanced Swedish at basic and upper-secondary level and can help you prepare for further studies or work.
Tips for learning Swedish faster
SFI gives you a strong foundation, but regular practice is essential. Read simple Swedish texts, listen to Swedish every day, practise speaking, and look for opportunities to use Swedish with other people. Progress takes time, but consistent practice makes a real difference.
More information about Swedish language courses
For additional information, visit these resources:
