Live in Sweden: Learn advantages, disadvantages, and costs

Looking to live in Sweden? With its high quality of life, safety, and beautiful scenery, Sweden is an ideal place to start a new chapter. Here’s what you should know before making the move.

We’ll also break down what it takes to live, work, and study in Sweden, give you an idea of the biggest expenses, and walk you through the pros and cons of making the move.

And if you’re a digital nomad, we know you’re probably wondering about internet quality and the kind of spaces available for remote work. Let’s dive in!

Quality of life in Sweden

First off, it’s good to know that Sweden offers a wide range of benefits to its residents and consistently ranks among the top countries in Europe for quality of life.

The OECD highlights Sweden’s strong performance in areas like education, healthcare, employment, safety, and environmental quality. It’s also recognized for its progress on gender equality, especially when it comes to access to jobs and higher education.

1. Requirements for legal living in Sweden

• Legal paperwork: You’ll typically need a residence permit, which you should apply for online through the Migrationsverket website before arriving in Sweden. You’ll also need a valid passport and a clean criminal record.
• Once in the country you must register in the Population Registry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
• In addition, you’ll be required to prove economic solvency to support your basic expenses.
• Ideally, when applying for your residence permit, you should specify what you are going to do. Whether you are going to work or study.

Finally, you should check which are the specific requirements according to your nationality.

2. Jobs and high salaries

Getting a good job in Sweden means having a good level of education, leading to good salaries and quality of life.

The average salary in Sweden is around 34,800 SEK per month ($4,600). According to OECD data, 77% of men and 74% of women have paid jobs (both figures above the European average).

The Swedish work culture promotes open negotiations between workers and employers on salaries, schedules, and contracts, making it easier to find jobs that fit your needs.

Sweden has the highest share of remote workers in the EU, highlighting its strong flexibility when it comes to certain jobs and work arrangements.

3. Education: Sweden has prestigious public universities

When it comes to higher education, Sweden boasts mainly public universities known for their high-quality and prestigious programs. With over 35 public universities nationwide, professional education is widely accessible throughout the country.

Some of Sweden’s top institutions include Lund University, which ranks among the top 10 in the EU, as well as Uppsala University, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and Stockholm University.

Requirements:

• Tuition fees vary depending on the school and program. For international students needing a visa, public universities typically charge between $8,800-14,100 per year, while private institutions can go up to around $29,000 annually. Keep in mind that living expenses may increase based on your lifestyle.
• Residence permit if you’re not part of the European Union.
• Student visa if you’re not part of the European Union.
• Economic solvency for room and board expenses.
• Proof of specific knowledge depending on the university course.
• Proof of a good level of English with tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
• High school diploma translated into English.

Here you can read more about the opportunities that the country offers to foreign students.

4. Universal health and environmental care policies

Sweden places a strong emphasis on healthcare and environmental protection, with the government actively supporting research and policies to safeguard ecosystems and promote disease prevention.

Sweden’s healthcare system is public and universal, available to everyone regardless of income. It’s funded by the government and managed locally. Here’s what you need to know to access healthcare in Sweden, along with the costs involved:

• If you’re coming from outside the EU, it’s important to have comprehensive health insurance that’s accepted in Sweden. For EU nationals, simply carrying your European Health Insurance Card and an ID is enough to access healthcare.
• There’s a small annual fee for medical care, usually under $240. Medication costs are similar but can vary depending on where you live in the country.
• Children and youth under 20 receive free medical and dental care.
• If you don’t have health insurance, a general doctor’s appointment can cost between $20 and $40, while seeing a specialist may run you over $50.
• Hospital expenses can vary a lot depending on the situation, severity, and length of stay. That’s why it’s best to have health insurance in place before you arrive.

5. Security and low crime rate

Despite some recent increases in gang violence, Sweden remains one of the safer countries in Europe overall. Citizens have become even more accustomed to reporting crimes, such as theft, which is the most common type of crime.

According to the Global Peace Index, which measures levels of peace and violence, Sweden ranks 39th out of 163 countries. While it has dropped a bit compared to previous years, it still ranks among the safer countries with strong public security.

6. Housing as a fundamental right

Sweden puts a strong focus on ensuring housing for all its residents, offering programs that support the most vulnerable in finding a home. It also works to keep rent and property prices under control.

• When it comes to rentals, the government requires landlords to set rent prices based on the property’s value, and these agreements are made in coordination with the Swedish Tenants’ Association.
• The organization assesses the living space’s quality and location. On average, renting in a central area of a major city can cost between $1,200 and $1,800.
• Buying can be complicated for foreigners and locals because supply is lower than demand.
• In the capital there is often a waiting list that can last for years for affordable housing.
• The average price per square meter to buy a home in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, is around $5,500, though it varies depending on the neighborhood and type of property.
• When it comes to buying property, Sweden doesn’t require foreigners to be residents. However, you’ll need to provide a signed purchase agreement with all the contract details and signatures from both the buyer and the seller.
• If you need a mortgage, you’ll have to show your residence permit and provide a tax coordination number for non-resident owners, which is issued by the Swedish tax authority.
• To rent, you’ll need to provide proof of income to show you can cover the rent, work references, and official ID. Sometimes, you may also have to prove your immigration status in the country.

7. Internet connection: High-speed and wide coverage

This section will really make you think twice about choosing Sweden as a base for your digital nomad lifestyle, because the country offers strong internet coverage everywhere (including rural spots where other places often struggle with connection).

In Sweden, staying connected for work is easy wherever you go, thanks to plenty of high-speed Wi-Fi available in both public and private places. In addition, the country has several colivings and coworking spaces adapted over time thanks to the increase of remote jobs.

Mobile coverage in Sweden is excellent, reaching almost everyone whether you’re in the city or the countryside. The main providers—Telia, Telenor, Tre, and Tele2—offer a wide range of plans supported by strong networks across the country.

If you want to arrive in Sweden ready to go without swapping your SIM card, Holafly offers monthly unlimited data plans via eSIM. You can start using it as soon as you land, with no hassle, and even share your connection with other devices.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Advantages of living in Sweden

Living in Sweden comes with many benefits, starting with a stable economy supported by one of the most skilled workforces globally, along with strong imports and investment in technology.

• You’ll have access to a variety of flexible jobs that allow remote work from anywhere in Sweden or abroad. Just keep in mind that higher education plays a key role in earning a better salary.
• Sweden’s education system ranks among the top in Europe, offering excellent public options if you’re thinking about pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
• Healthcare in Sweden is public and focused on protecting everyone. The training level of nurses, doctors, and specialists is very high, supported by strong government investment in research and innovation.
• Finally, in Sweden you’ll enjoy stunning landscapes all year round, where snowy winters and sunny days paint the streets and forests, depending on the season.

Disadvantages of living in Sweden as a foreigner

How expensive is it to live in Sweden? Costs are on the higher side, so careful budgeting is key. For instance, a single person might spend over $2,200 a month in a city, while the average salary is around $4,300.

That said, your expenses will really depend on your lifestyle and where you choose to live, since rent tends to be much higher in city centers compared to other neighborhoods or outskirts.

The climate can be a significant disadvantage as Sweden tends to have cold weather most of the year.

Also, keep in mind that in northern Sweden, winter brings long stretches of darkness that can last for days, while in summer, the sun barely sets, lighting up even the late-night hours.

Getting your paperwork sorted to live legally in Sweden can take a while due to bureaucracy, which might cause delays when trying to find a job, enroll in university, or open a bank account.

Frequently asked questions about living in Sweden

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