Usually when you look for an apartment, you browse listings online, go to a few viewings, sign a lease, done. But renting a place works a little bit differently in Sweden. It’s less of a process and more of a long game. And if you don’t understand how it works, it can be confusing; and honestly, a bit defeating at times.
The first thing to know is that there are two types of rentals: first-hand contracts and second-hand rentals. A first-hand contract is the dream. It means you’re renting directly from a landlord, often at a regulated price and with long-term security. But these contracts are extremely hard to get, especially in cities. Most people wait years on housing queues for a chance of a good deal.
So as an expat, you’ll almost definitely start with second-hand rentals. This means you’re subletting from someone who already holds the contract. It’s faster, but comes with trade-offs; higher rent, less stability, and usually a fixed time limit. You might sign for 6– to–12 months, knowing you’ll have to move again.
The hunt: A slow, frustrating process
That’s one of the biggest emotional adjustments; nothing feels permanent at first. You can be completely settled and then suddenly you’re back on the hunt again. It’s not unusual, but it can wear on you over time.
Then there’s the actual search process, which is highly competitive. You’ll message dozens of listings and hear back from maybe a handful.
When you do get a response, you’re often “applying” alongside many others. People want references, proof of income, sometimes even a personal introduction about who you are.
When my husband and I decided to move to Sweden, we started looking for apartments right away online, but quickly realized that no one would consider us because we weren’t local yet. Luckily my husband’s employer helped, though they only suggested one place at a time and we had to say yes or no, each one more expensive than the last. We ended up paying quite a bit the first year, but we were lucky enough to be able to stay for a full year with the option to renew.
Written and unwritten rules
Prices can vary wildly. Regulated rents (first-hand) are often surprisingly reasonable. A first-hand contract means the tenant has a direct contractual relationship with the property owner or the company managing the property.
The fundamental difference between a first-hand contract (förstahandskontrakt) and a second-hand contract (andrahandskontrakt) in Sweden lies in from whom you are renting the accommodation. With a first-hand contract, also known as a direct contract, you rent directly from the property owner or the housing cooperative (bostadsrättsförening), according to Bofrid Real Estate. This means you have an agreement with the entity that owns the property or holds the primary rights to the apartment. In a second-hand contract, you are renting the apartment from someone who themselves are renting it in the first hand, or who owns the apartment as a bostadsrätt.
First-hand tenants in Sweden have more security because it is more difficult for a landlord to terminate a first-hand contract than a second-hand contract. Second-hand rentals, especially in cities or central areas, can feel high for what you get.
In a second-hand contract, it’s not uncommon to pay a premium for something small, or for a place that isn’t exactly what you imagined. For example, you likely won’t have a washer and dryer in the apartment (which is more cultural than anything).
There are also a lot of unwritten rules. For example, apartments are often rented already furnished when subletting. You’re living in someone else’s space, with their furniture, their kitchen things, sometimes even their personal items tucked away in closets.
It can feel a bit temporary because, well, it is.
Finding housing in Sweden requires patience. Not just in finding a place, but in accepting that your housing situation might evolve multiple times before it stabilizes. It’s very normal to move a few times in your first couple of years. But as you get more established in the country, it gets easier. Once you have a personal number, a job, maybe some local references, more options start to open up. You’re no longer starting from zero.
Why buying makes sense
We decided after that first year that buying a place made more sense economically. A mortgage can cost less than monthly rent, and owning has the advantage of building equity. Buying is also a little different, but more on that in another post!
For Americans, renting in Sweden isn’t very straightforward. It’s slower, more structured, and at times frustrating. You must be open to navigating a system that doesn’t rush for anyone.
If you’re in the middle of it right now, feeling stuck or discouraged, you’re not doing anything wrong. This is just how it works here.
And, like me, you will eventually live in a place you love and feel more settled.
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Read more about Sweden here in Dispatches’ archives.
See more from Jess here.
Jess Bretin
Jess Bretin is a communications and content specialist, and an American living in Gothenburg, Sweden. While in the states, she spent 2 years on the road living in a van and visited every state. She then married a Frenchman, so she has spent alot of time in France. Jess is also a singer/songwriter in a rock band and loves to cook and stand-up paddle board.
See her posts here:
• Walk like a Swede, talk like a Swede: How to make friends in Sweden
• Chistmas in Sweden: Tradition, light and togetherness
• The cost of living in Sweden 2025: What's actually going on.
