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Finding housing in Sweden
Sweden's rental market is regulated but competitive, especially in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. First-hand contracts (förstahandskontrakt) are the safest — second-hand (andrahand) needs the landlord's written approval.
Address registration in Sweden
Get a personal number (personnummer): Required for healthcare, banking, work and most contracts. Apply at Skatteverket once you have a residence permit valid 12+ months. Book a visit at Skatteverket — Bring passport, residence-permit card, marriage/birth certificates (translated to Swedish or English) and a rental contract. Register your address (folkbokföring) — You must be living at the address — Skatteverket can check. Update within a week if you move. Receive your number by post — Takes 2–8 weeks. With it you can apply for BankID and open a bank account. School & childcare: Children aged 6–16 must attend school. Apply through your kommun. Contact your kommun (municipality) — Search '[city] grundskola anmälan'. Children get a school place within a month. Förskola (preschool, age 1–5) — Income-based fee, capped (~1 700 SEK/month). Apply online with the kommun.
Where to search safely
Use established rental portals, local housing offices, reputable agencies and municipality information pages. Be extra careful with social-media listings. Never send a deposit before you have seen the home, verified the landlord and received a written contract.
Contract and deposit
Check the rent, deposit, utilities, notice period, inventory and whether registration at the address is allowed. In Sweden, a home that cannot be registered can block healthcare, school, benefits and residence renewals.
Housing-related offices
Skatteverket: Personal number (personnummer), tax. Phone: 0771-567 567. Försäkringskassan: Social insurance, parental benefits, sick pay. Phone: 0771-524 524. SFI — Swedish for Immigrants: Free language classes (municipality).
Frequently asked questions
Can I register my address in Sweden with a temporary room?
Often yes if the landlord or host can provide the required proof, but rules vary locally. Ask the municipality before paying a deposit.
Which office should I contact first in Sweden?
Start with Skatteverket. For broader newcomer help, also check Migrationsverket, Skatteverket, Försäkringskassan.
What language will offices use in Sweden?
The main administrative language is Swedish. Larger offices often offer English or interpreters, but bring translated documents when possible.
How large is a typical deposit?
1–3 months of rent is normal across most of Europe. It must be returned when you leave, minus any damage beyond normal wear.
Can a landlord refuse me because I am a newcomer?
Discrimination based on nationality or origin is illegal across the EU. You can report it to national equality bodies.