How Much Does It Cost to Move to Sweden?

Sweden is not the cheapest country in Europe, but costs are predictable once you know the categories. Here is a realistic relocation budget for a single expat moving to Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö.

One-time relocation costs

| Item | Typical range (SEK) | |------|---------------------| | Housing deposit (1 month) | 8 000 – 18 000 | | First month rent (advance) | 8 000 – 18 000 | | Residence permit / visa fees | 1 000 – 2 500 | | Moving shipment (EU) | 5 000 – 25 000 | | Furniture (if unfurnished) | 10 000 – 30 000 | | Personnummer / ID / bank setup | 500 – 1 500 |

Plan for 30 000 – 80 000 SEK in upfront cash for a solo move to a major city, excluding flight tickets.

Monthly living costs (single person)

• Rent (second-hand, 1 bedroom) — 10 000 – 16 000 SEK in Stockholm; less in smaller cities.
• Food — 3 500 – 5 000 SEK.
• Transport — 970 SEK (monthly SL card in Stockholm; varies by region).
• Phone + internet — 400 – 700 SEK.
• Insurance (home + health gap) — 200 – 400 SEK.

Hidden costs expats forget

• Second-hand broker fees — sometimes one month's rent as a fee to the platform.
• Home insurance (hemförsäkring) — required by most landlords before move-in.
• International transfers — FX fees until your Swedish account is active.
• Queue memberships — housing queue fees in some cities.

How to reduce costs

• Start with a second-hand (andra hand) sublet instead of waiting years for first-hand.
• Use a low-fee transfer service before your Swedish bank account is ready.
• Buy second-hand furniture via Blocket or Facebook Marketplace.

Sweden rewards patience and paperwork. Budget extra for the first two months while admin catches up with your life.