Everything you need to know if you’re planning on Moving to Sweden

Posted on December 10, 2024

Sweden is known for many things including its stunning geography, quality of life, its postive stance on equality and the envirnoment, and security (crime rates in Sweden are relatively low, though petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur in busy areas. It’s advisable to stay aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded places or during major events). On the flip side, its also known for its high taxes and long winters. But here at ClickMoves Towers we’re seeing a lot more enquiries from clients planning on Moving to Sweden, so we thought we’d have a look at the key things to concider if you’re looking to relocate to Sweden.

Visa requirements for expats in Sweden

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens
Good news, you don’t need a visa to live and work in Sweden, but you must register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) if you plan to stay longer than three months.

Non-EU/EEA citizens
You’ll need a residence permit to live and work in Sweden, which allows you to stay, work, and access public services in Sweden. The application process generally includes submitting a variety of documents such as a valid passport, proof of financial means, and a job offer or enrollment letter. Most of this can be done online these days.

But for those of you already with an employment offer in Sweden, you’ll require sponsorship from your employer to obtain a work visa or residence permit. The employer initiates the application process and provides the necessary documentation to the Swedish Migration Agency on your behalf.

Most applications will require the following supporting documentation:

✅ Valid passport ✅ Passport-sized photos ✅ Visa application form

✅ Proof of travel arrangements. ✅ Health insurance. ✅ Proof of accommodation
✅ Proof of employment. ✅ Criminal record check
✅ Educational certificates. ✅ Financial records ✅ Marriage and birth certificates

If successful with your application, residence permits are typically valid for one to two years, and assuming you’ve noyt done anything wrong, can be renewed reasonably easily.

Securing a residence permit is a crucial step for expats who wish to establish themselves in Sweden, providing legal residency, work authorization, and access to local services.

There are other types of visa to concider, depending on you’re planning on doing there – student visa, investment visa, familly visas (for kids and spouse).

You can get all the most upto date information from  the Swedish Migration Agency 

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Money Matters

If your planning on relocating to Sweden, you’ll need to put together a pretty comprehensive budget – because it can be expensive. The good news is that schools, public transport, healthcare etc are excellent and low cost. But taxes, housing, are very high.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of living costs in Sweden:

  • Renting: Renting a one-bedroom apartment in central Stockholm can cost around SEK 15,000 ($1,400) per month. In less central areas, prices might drop to approximately SEK 10,000 ($930). Rental prices in Gothenburg and Malmö are generally lower, with one-bedroom apartments costing around SEK 10,000 ($930) in central areas. The rental market offers a range of options, from apartments to houses. When renting, you will typically need to provide proof of income, a copy of your personnummer, and sometimes a deposit equal to one to three months’ rent. Lease agreements generally run for one year, and rents are usually paid monthly. Be warned that the rental market is very competityive in major cities.
  • Food and drink: Groceries in Sweden can be expensive, with prices generally higher than in many other countries. Shopping at local markets or discount stores can offer some savings. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant might cost around SEK 600 ($55) for two people.
  • Transport: Sweden has an efficient public transportation system. A monthly pass for public transit in Stockholm costs around SEK 950 ($88). Car ownership is common but comes with costs for fuel (which is relatively expensive), insurance, and maintenance
  • Utilities: Utilities, including electricity, water, and heating, can cost between SEK 800-1,500 ($75-$140) per month, depending on the size of your accommodation and usage. Internet and TV packages typically cost around SEK 300-500 ($28-$46) monthly.

Taxation

Income tax rates can be as high as 57% for top earners, but interestingly most Swedes are relatively content to pay this, because Sweden offers a high standard of public services, including healthcare and education. It’s essential to understand your tax obligations and check if any double taxation agreements with your home country apply.

About ClickMoves

Of course, we couldn’t finish up with telling you a little about our removal services to Sweden. We send truck 3 or 4 times a week between the UK and Sweden, and last year we helped more than 400 famillies relocated between the Uk and Sweden. Our services range from clients with just a few boxes (rates start at around £400), upto clients with a whole house full of stuff (rates can go upto £3,000 for bigger moves). We will take care of packing, transport, customs matters, delivery and unpacking – and because we know this process so well, you’ll not have any taxes of extra duties to pay. The door t door transit time is normal around 3-5 days for our assisted move services, and a little longer for our consolidated truck services.

If you need a quote for moving service to Sweden, please get in touch