Renting And Housing in Sweden – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.
Renting an apartment in Sweden can be relatively high, depending on your choice of apartment and size. Whether you want to live in urban areas or cities, it’s essential to know that the housing market is competitive. As expats, we understand what you need; that’s why we’ve got you covered here.
From research, we found out that finding a house to rent in Sweden is considerably more challenging compared to other European countries. Foreigners wanting to stay in the country for a long term are thereby advised to buy a house rather than joining the rental fray. Does that sound interesting?
Of course, as you begin your search, you’ll notice the terms first-hand and second-hand rentals. These terms mean the rental that’s done directly through a landlord is known as first-hand. On the other hand, the one that’s sublet through the current tenant is called second-hand renting.
With this in place, expats may struggle to find an apartment. In recent years, Sweden has experienced a housing shortage, which has been felt most in the cities. However, there may be hope in some regions, but the prices may be extremely high. On the whole, rent is high, and it may consume nothing less than 30 percent of the resident’s salary.
Meanwhile, we will walk you through the process of renting an apartment in this article. Our scope is beyond renting and housing in Sweden; that’s why this guide is essential to read. To combat the problem of an increasingly expensive market, we have compiled some terms that’d help you in the process.
What Expats Need to Know About Sweden
Sweden is a wonderful place to live. With its kind people, excellent environment, unique outdoor activities, and corporate cultures, the benefits of living in Sweden cannot be overemphasized. Besides, it’s no surprise that many people would love to move to Scandinavia’s largest country to enjoy what Sweden has to offer. However, there are some important things to know; check them out below.
Sweden Housing Prices
As aforementioned, Swedish people are not happy about their current housing situation, resulting from the country’s growing population. In fact, the rate of people wanting to rent or buy an apartment is on the rise. Moreover, super-wealthy buyers have pushed up the rent in Sweden.
Though this might contributes to bad news for people who want to move to Sweden, but you might want to jump on the prices of rural areas. It’s no doubt that living in urban areas could be relatively expensive. This way, you probably need to be financially buoyant while moving to Sweden today.
Exploring Swedish Nature
Despite the high prices in housing and accommodation facilities, Sweden has the most exciting feature regarding nature. You can guarantee that its landscape will leave you feeling amazing. Whether you’re venturing out in the summer or winter, Sweden is truly magical, and it’s the right place to explore nature. Without further ado, let’s look at our pick of the top five attractions in Sweden.
● Classic Abisko National Park – Many times, this park has been voted as one of the best places to Sweden glimmering green greatness. Aside from this fact, the northern lights are one of the most other-worldly gifts that the earth offers.
● Vindelfjallen (Largest) Nature Reserve – This is another nature reserve to explore. You can take a hiking trip around the winding rivers and towering mountains of Vindelfjallen. Not only that, but if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot the odd reindeer.
● Fulufjallet Unique National Park – Expect gorgeous wetlands dotted with waterfalls in this national park. Also, you can enjoy an abundance of hiking trails that are both easy and advanced. That’s why we advise you to explore different attractions if you’re just visiting Sweden for the first time.
● Venern Lake in Sweden – Venern is the largest lake in Sweden and made its fame to the third-largest lake of all Europe after Ladoga and Onega in Russia. So, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this incredible place in Sweden.
Home to the Oldest Monarchy
Swedish royalty has one of the oldest monarchies in the world. Before Harry and Meghan, Victoria and Daniel contributed to the country’s achievements today. While you may not get a glimpse of King Carl XVI, you could visit their homes to explore their unique monarchy system.
Importation of Waste
Another important thing to consider while moving to Sweden is the importation of waste. Don’t be surprised when they tell you that the country imports waste from Norway and the UK to keep the lights on. Meanwhile, the two countries mentioned above also pay Sweden to take their waste product away.
A Forest Nation
I’m sure you may be baffled when I tell you that the country is a forest nation. You read that, right? Of course, according to Sveaskog, approximately 57 percent of the country’s population is forested. Specifically, that’d be 23 million hectares, an area equivalent to the United Kingdom.
Ice Made Hotel
It is only in Sweden that you can find one of the beautiful hotels made with ice. This hotel is crafted each year from two-tonne blocks of ice. In the beginning, this hotel starts to take place when the cold season arrives in the Arctic. This way, the builders and the artists would want to create something unique every time.
Live in Urban Areas
It’s no doubt that nearly 63 percent of Sweden’s population live in the cities. That being said, Sweden is also known as an economic powerhouse. Besides, many prominent companies were founded in Sweden. An example includes the following; Ericsson, Saab, Scania, IKEA, H&M, Volvo, and many others, to mention a few.
2021 Cost of Living in Sweden
Sweden has a reputation for being expensive in many ways, whereas it’s possible to get by without spending a fortune. Whether you’re planning on visiting Sweden for the weekend or would love to relocate to the country for good, it’s quite okay to compare the prices vs. those in other countries.
Some of the prices listed in this guide are aimed at short-term visitors, while others are more useful for expats, business people, and students staying in Sweden for longer. However, all of the prices we’ve included in this article are subjected to small fluctuations.
Accommodation in Sweden
Paying for somewhere to stay in Sweden may cost a lot of money, especially if you’re in one of the big cities like Gothenburg and Stockholm. In fact, you can even experience high hotel prices and accommodation shortages. Even with your money, finding a flat to rent can be quite challenging.
On the other hand, properties in rural Sweden are usually easy to rent and can be of excellent value. Let’s quickly take a look at the analysis of both short-term and long-term accommodation processes in Sweden.
| Short-term (2021) | Long-term (2021) | Price per night (2021) | Rent Per Month (2021) |
| Two-room in a luxury hotel | 10,000 – 15,000 SEK | 2,500 – 4,500 SEK | 12,000 – 15,000 SEK |
| Single room (city) | 7,000 – 9,000 SEK | 600 – 2,000 SEK | 5,000 – 8,000 SEK |
| Basic four-bed cottage in Sweden | 11,000 – 25,000 SEK | 750 – 1,500 SEK | 6,500 – 12,000 SEK |
| Cost of Living | Cities in Sweden | Average Prices |
| Family of four | Stockholm | 35,000 SEK |
| Single Person | Stockholm | 13,000 SEK |
| Family of four | Uppsala | 32,000 SEK |
| Single Person | Uppsala | 9,500 SEK |
| Family of four | Gothenburg | 32,500 SEK |
| Single Person | Gothenburg | 9,500 SEK |
Food, Gas, and Alcohol in Sweden
In Sweden, any liquor sale you’ll ever think of is regulated by the government. This means you can only buy alcohol at any government-owned store known as Systembolaget. These are the only stores allowed to sell beverages containing 3.5 percent alcohol and above, while other products are sold individually.
The official or legal drinking age in Sweden is 18, but the well-known company, as said earlier, will only sell to people who are over 20 years. Without further ado, below are the cost of food, alcohol, and gas in Sweden as of 2021.
| Name of Foods and All | Average Prices |
| One dozen eggs and half a liter of beer | 46 SEK |
| One bottle of wine and one liter of gas | 120 SEK |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Sweden | 140 SEK |
Utility Costs in Sweden
When comparing utility costs with the prices of accommodation, utility costs are fairly reasonable. This is because; first-hand rental contracts are hard to come by, making it difficult for renters to sign up for their internet services. On average, the basic utilities can run to about 1,500 SEK per month, depending on the location, size of the apartment and the number of people in your household.
Cost of Education in Sweden
Education in Sweden is among the best in the world. The Nordic county has an excellent system, emphasizing groups and independent study, unlike other countries. More so, the number of international students enrolled at Swedish universities and colleges is constantly growing today.
However, when it comes to accommodation costs, the best place to start looking for accommodation is your university. They often provide useful information that manages student’s residence halls. Again, the countries have a choice arrangement to choose any other state school at no cost. This means, if you don’t like a particular school, you can easily change to a better one.
To understand the Swedish educational system better, always know that from first grade to third, the school curriculum is based on social studies, mathematics, natural sciences, Swedish housekeeping, and many others. Overall, the cost of education in Sweden is quite affordable for both expats and their citizens.
Transportation Cost in Sweden
Public transportation in Sweden is surprising of good value. In fact, you’ll enjoy long journeys that snake through hundreds of kilometers of wild scenery. Meanwhile, renting a car in Sweden can become expensive with the high daily costs and plenty of tax to pay on fuel.
Without further ado, below is a detailed description of what transportation could cost in Sweden as of 2021.
| Long-distance | Average price (2021) | City transport (Sweden) | Average price (2021) |
| Domestic flight in the city | 700 – 3,500 SEK | One-way ticket in the city | 40 SEK |
| Bus (Malmo) | 100 – 300 SEK | 15-min Taxi ride | 300 – 450 SEK |
| Train in Kiruna | 800 – 2,000 SEK | Car rental in one day | 450 – 650 SEK |
| Petrol per liter | 14 – 20 SEK | One-way (Gothenburg) | 35 – 57 SEK |
As of today, you can explore different private-run companies in the train game. An example includes the Tagkompaniet, MTR Express, and the Oresundstaget stretch from the Gothenburg. Moreover, you’ll find an up-to-date price for most services operated by each company on their platforms.
Public National Holidays in Sweden (2021)
| Name of the Holidays | Date Observed in Sweden |
| January 1st of every year | New Year’s Day celebration |
| 1st of May | Labour day celebration |
| 6th of June | National day celebration in Sweden |
| All saint’s day celebration | November 6th |
| December 25th | Christmas day celebration in Sweden |
Many other celebrations are observed in Sweden. But, we mentioned a few as the dates are subjected to change. Some public holidays include; Midsummer Day, Christmas Eve, Mother’s day celebration, Pentecost Sunday, Walpurgis night, epiphany day, ascension day celebration, and more.
Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden (2021)
In the modern world, travel and staying connected when you’re away is the best thing to do. However, the only place to do that is through the internet and the right platform. Yes, the right platform! And that’s why we are here to serve you better. Without further ado, below are the pros and cons of living in Sweden. Also, while searching for the right apartment, it’s essential to understand the benefits.
Pros
1. Low-Cost of Education
Funny enough, the colleges and universities in Sweden are entirely free for students to attend. If you grew up in this country, there are no tuition costs to worry about. On the flip side, many students can still end up graduating with debt, averaging about $20,000, but it’s still 30 percent less than the U.S.
2. Affordable Healthcare Opportunities
Many people outside Sweden have thought that the country’s healthcare system is universal and not entirely accurate. The truth is that you’ll typically pay between 100kr to 250kr per visit each time you need an appointment with the doctor. Meanwhile, once you hit the threshold for your maximum amount, the rest of your visit to the doctor remains free.
3. Exceptionally Fast Internet Connection
When you start to live in Sweden, you’ll understand why the connection is fast. The country currently ranks as the fifth-fastest provider worldwide for those who get online regularly for website surfing. Even if your mobile data connections are powerful, you’ll enjoy a suitable 4G/5G connection. So, if you love surfing the web, Sweden is one of the best countries to explore.
4. Love for Sports
Even if you don’t love sports, Sweden will change your perspective and develop a passion for sports. In this country, you’ll find professional handball, football, and different ice hockey leagues. Also, many of the players in Sweden always get picked up by the NNHL in the United States.
5. Exploring World-class Skiing
If you also want to enjoy different outdoor activities, Sweden has enough options to cater to your needs. Besides, you can go skiing just 20 minutes from Stockholm. The weather can get crisp at times, but it is reasonably easy to cope and manage the changes in the country’s weather.
6. Excellent Work Environment
The work environment in Sweden is pretty much easier compared to other European countries. It is normal for people to start with at least five paid vacations during their first year of working. Aside from this fact, there are opportunities to earn more times off as you scale.
Similarly, Swedish parents can get parental leave while they’re being paid for it. This later grants everyone an opportunity to connect and spend quality time with their newborn babies. Typically, staff with a newborn baby can get up to 60 days away from work which doesn’t affect their salaries.
7. Gender Equality and Freedom
Another beautiful advantage of living in Sweden is gender equality and freedom for all. Again, Sweden has strict anti-discrimination rules that prevent any bias that could take place based on religion, gender, age, functional abilities, sexual orientation, and age.
Cons
1. Lack of Urban Areas
Unlike what you may be used to in your home country, there’s a lack of urban areas in Sweden. In fact, Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden, and it’s the one with the highest inhabitants, amounting to about 800,000. With this in mind, it makes the capital city as big as Detroit.
2. Expensive Educational System (Emigrants)
As an expat, traveling to Sweden can somewhat be challenging. This is because; there’s no free tuition of any kind to emigrants. However, Sweden does permit native residents and European Union citizens to get free education. So, be sure that you check with your desired institution before planning to relocate.
3. You May Feel Lonely
Sometimes you may feel lonely in Sweden. Research made it known that Swedish is quite difficult in making friends. They say the capital city is known for being filled with unfriendly inhabitants. Outside of this, it takes quite a bit of warming up o integrate yourself into the country’s culture and traditions.
4. Hard Time Finding a House
Due to the country’s housing demand, you may have a hard time finding accommodation in Sweden. More so, you’re likely to rent an apartment directly from the building owner instead of walking down to meet an agent. This way, the waiting list to secure a home can get very tiring in more popular areas.
5. Language barrier in Sweden
While there are many benefits of living in Sweden, some expats have found it challenging to cope with its language. Although there are three languages in this country, and the citizens speak the English language fluently. On the other hand, Swedish is a difficult language to learn.
Immigration Facts about Living in Sweden
Sweden has taken a lot more refugees than other countries. Sweden has been famously known for its welcoming attitude toward refugees and its commitment to family reunification. On the flip side, the unprecedented number of newcomers has challenged the Swedish economy to its instability in a stable government. Let’s quickly walk you through the things you’ll need to take care of when you’re relocating.
Get or Renew Your Residence Permit
This is almost one of the first things to consider. If you’ve already secured the residence permit required to reside and work in Sweden legally, migration will be relatively easy. That’s why we advise you to understand the kind of visa you’re applying for and the purpose of traveling to the country.
Get Registered to the Tax System
The most important requirement as a new resident in the country is to enroll in the Swedish Tax Agency known as Skatteverket. This registration process ensures that you’ve been added to the country’s system of taxpayers, personal identification, and mailing address information, and insurance purpose.
Find a Home in Sweden
If you’ve landed in this country without a home, don’t be surprised that the Swedish immigration system might kick you out. In big cities, obtaining the first-hand contract generally requires a strict process. Therefore, if you’re moving to Sweden, make inquiries about the accommodation as stated earlier.
Open a Swedish Bank Account
After you might have relocated to Sweden, the next thing to do is to open a bank account. The process is quite simple, and the bank can even help you obtain the necessary credit/debit cards. Not only a bank account is essential, but it also helps you through bills and salaries payment.
Conclusion
As of today, Swedish rent prices vary based on municipality. If you’d love to find your next long-term rental apartment, ensure you refer to this guide. While it’s easier to find housing in smaller cities, renting an apartment in the country’s capital can be cumbersome. Nonetheless, follow this platform as we got you covered with relevant updates.
