Living in Sweden

Rent, health cover and ways to get residency for a foreign retiree in Sweden, checked 2026-09-26.

Rent for a one-bedroom flat

City	Centre	Outside centre
Stockholm	SEK 17,000	SEK 10,636
Gothenburg	SEK 10,317	SEK 9,189

First-hand leases go through housing queues that take years in Stockholm, so newcomers usually sublet at these second-hand prices.

Anyone registered as resident is covered by regional public care. There is no insurance to buy; patient fees are capped each year.

Right of residence (EU/EEA citizens): Work, study, or show enough money to support yourself. No permit; register with Skatteverket.
Work permit (Non-EU employees): A job offer paying at least SEK 34,470 a month (90% of the median salary, from June 2026).

Average municipal tax rate; yours varies by kommun (roughly 29–35%).
The 7% pension contribution is fully offset by a tax credit, so it is left out.
Emigrating: capital gains on Swedish shares stay taxable in Sweden for 10 years (tioårsregeln), subject to treaties.