Welcome to Övertorneå

The good life in Övertorneå

By the Arctic Circle and the Finnish border lies Övertorneå municipality. In the municipality, which consists of the town Övertorneå and several cozy small villages, approximately 4200 people live. We are a rather small municipality, but with a big heart and plenty of space for everyone. The business culture here is strong, and most people who move here tend to start their own businesses. Perhaps we are inspired by the freedom that comes with rural living close to nature, who knows, but one thing is for sure: here you will realize that you are living the good life.

Fun facts about Övertorneå

The Arctic Circle

Here you're basically right on the Arctic Circle. At the Arctic Circle Monument in Juoksengi, you can jump over the abstract latitude or take cool pictures.

Swim back in time

One of the best open water swimming competitions is held annually in Juoksengi. Here, you start on the Finnish side of the Torne River, shortly after midnight. If you swim to the finish line on the Swedish side within an hour, you've finished the race the day before you started!

The Torne River

The Torne River flows along the eastern coast of Övertorneå and forms the border with Finland. In the southern part of the municipality, the river forms a delta landscape that emerges when the spring flood recedes. The sandbanks are perfect places for swimming and lazy days in the sun.

Art & design

Take a stroll along the Art Road with public installations. Admire the graffiti walls or visit the local silversmith who crafts modern jewelry inspired by the Sami culture. Create your own wooden cup to take along on the excursion and time your visit to coincide with one of the art exhibitions at Konsthall Tornedalen. During the summer, you can shop at the crafts market held at the historic churchyard in Hietaniemi.

Cruising under
the midnight sun

Summer in Övertorneå offers endless days when the sun never sets. Perfect for cruising by boat on the Torne River or cruising in a vintage car at the local summer car meet.

Sweden's first eco-municipality

Övertorneå was the first municipality in Sweden to become an eco-municipality, already in 1983. Today, Övertorneå municipality works in line with the UN's global goals, Agenda 2030. Among other things, solar panels are being installed for all municipal activities.

Work & education

Our business sector consists mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises. Here you'll find industry-leading companies in technical fields, international design firms, and cultural practitioners. Tourism and the experience industry are growing, and we have a vibrant trade with many local shops. If you're an electrician, carpenter, builder, or plumber, you're almost guaranteed a job. If you want to work in tourism and meet people from all over the world, there are exciting opportunities for chefs, waitstaff, receptionists, nature guides, and similar roles—both seasonal and permanent positions.

If you want to make your entrepreneurial dream happen, Övertorneå is a perfect place to do so. With over 95% broadband coverage throughout the municipality, you can work locally and globally at the same time. The New Business Center (Nyföretagarcentrum Nord) offers free advice and support for new entrepreneurs in Övertorneå. Additionally, there are excellent investment incentives available through regional initiatives.

Open positions

Work for Övertorneå municipality

School & daycare

The schools in Övertorneå municipality are, according to surveys, among the best in the country, and we offer education of the highest quality - from preschool to adult education.

Lifelong learning is important in today's society where progress is moving rapidly forward. The educational opportunities are very good in Övertorneå municipality, and we are at the forefront when it comes to pedagogy, technical equipment, and teaching materials.

Associations
and activities

In Övertorneå municipality, the Culture and Leisure Department runs a range of activities across different venues. These include youth centers, swimming pools, sports halls, fields for various sports, ice rinks, outdoor swimming spots, riding arenas, the local heritage museum Aunesgården, and the historic cinema Röda Kvarn. Community associations also pitch in to manage some facilities like the riding stable and the ice rink. There’s something for everyone!

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moving to Övertorneå?

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Run a business in Övertorneå

We are a small municipality with high ambitions, where the gap between thought and action is minimal. We have always been an enterprising community and that spirit carries on to this day.