Thinking of buying or indeed selling property in Sweden? The cost of purchasing a home in Sweden, similar to that of its neighbouring country of Denmark, varies widely. Everything in and around Stockholm is far more expensive than in the rest of the country, even when compared to the other major cities.
In addition, many major cities are experiencing a severe housing shortage, which you will need to address.
Data from real estate website Numbeo (dated 21st September 2022) gives us an idea of what you might anticipate to pay for a home in various locations of the country.
One should expect to pay about 115,563.60 Swedish Kronor (SEK) per square metre for a centrally located apartment in the capital city. Costing approximately £9,267 in British pounds.
The average price of a square metre of apartment space in Stockholm is 70,417.70 SEK outside of the city centre.
Malmö, Sweden’s third-largest city, offers cheaper apartment costs. Apartments in the downtown area typically cost 39,928.57 SEK per square metre, while those in the suburbs cost around 27,571.43 SEK.
In some cases, buying an apartment in Malmö and commuting to Copenhagen could be a good choice if you get a job in Copenhagen but can’t afford housing there (this will depend largely on your citizenship).
Gothenburg is the country’s second-largest city, and its prices are in the middle of those in Stockholm and Malmö. The average price per square metre for an apartment in the city centre is 62,937.08 SEK, whereas outside of the city centre, the price drops to around 40,054.69 SEK.
Uppsala, a popular university town in Sweden, is one of numerous medium-sized cities in the country. Consider looking into housing options in this beautiful region if you’re considering a move to Sweden that takes you further north than Stockholm.
The average price per square metre for an apartment in Uppsala is 42,500 SEK, but drops to 27,666.67 SEK if you’re willing to go outside of the city centre.
Can a foreigner who is not a member of the EU purchase a home in Sweden?
Moving to Sweden as a permanent resident is governed by a distinct set of rules for citizens of different European nations and non-EU citizens (with the exception of those from the European Economic Area and Switzerland). Members of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland can enter and stay in Sweden indefinitely without a visa.
Moving here from outside of this region requires a good reason, and that includes Britons relocating after the year 2021. What are the requirements for a non-Swedish national to purchase a home in Sweden?
To sum up, purchasing real estate in Sweden as a non-EU citizen is not prohibited by law. In fact, non-citizens and temporary visitors can easily participate in real estate auctions and purchases.
Of course, you should check your finances to be sure you can afford the area.
An additional benefit is that neither Swedish residency nor citizenship in the EU are prerequisites for obtaining a mortgage in Sweden. If you really want to buy a house in the country, you should give in to your desires and make it happen.
