Moving to Sweden

Most working professionals moving to Sweden should apply for a Work Permit, also known as Arbetstillstånd, which is the most common visa for non-EU expats. This visa requires a job offer from a Swedish employer and is typically the fastest and most straightforward option. The EU Blue Card is also an option, but it has stricter requirements and is less commonly used in Sweden.

Average gross pay is about ~41,600 SEK/month (SCB 2024, whole economy mean). Minimum wage: No universal statutory minimum (collective agreements). Indicative monthly costs in our dataset include rent (~15,000 SEK/month), groceries (~3,500 SEK), transport (~990 SEK), utilities (~1,200 SEK).

In Sweden, expats can expect to pay around 20,000 SEK per month for a 2-bedroom apartment in the city center, while outer districts are more affordable at 12,000 SEK. Sweden has no statutory maximum deposit — in private rentals, around one to three months' rent is common, but terms vary by landlord and contract.

Expats living in Sweden are taxed on their income, with municipal tax (kommunalskatt) on most earnings and an additional 20% state tax above the 2026 brytpunkt (about SEK 660,400 gross if under 66 at year start). Combined marginal rates around 52% are common for high earners. Tax returns must be filed digitally by 2 May of the following year, with pre-filled returns available on the Skatteverket app or website from April.

Permanent residence is normally requested when you extend your permit; Swedish citizenship for adults is applied for online with the Migration Agency under the Swedish Nationality Act.

After your permit is approved, register for a tax ID, banking, and healthcare — the checklist further down covers the full sequence.