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Living in Sweden
A move to Sweden could see you reaping many benefits, not least because the country has some of the best levels of healthcare and worker bonuses in the whole of Europe. The taxes are reasonable, childcare is heavily subsidised, and paid leave for parents is additional to basic holiday entitlements – so it’s a great place for working families.
For expats in Sweden who have already settled and made the most of the abundant opportunities, now might be the right time to think about your financial plans, so you can be confident about the future.
Benefits of living in Sweden
The cost of living in Sweden may be slightly high, but there are so many benefits to moving to Scandinavia, that it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to just three. Many expats relocate here to enjoy living in an equal and tolerant society, whereas others enjoy the low crime rates, and the active lifestyles.
Great work/life balance
The mentality in Sweden is that employees are more productive when they’re able to take some time off and recharge. Their working week is shorter than most of Europe, and the holidays are pretty generous, with offices practically empty in the summer.
Employers are also extremely understanding towards new parents, with new mothers and fathers enjoying 480 days of parental leave between them.
Beautiful seasons
The summers in southern Sweden are pleasantly warm (making it the perfect time to visit your summer home on one of the archipelagos), and whilst the winters may be cold, the country transforms into a picturesque winter wonderland.
Whilst it may be cold outside, one of the benefits of living in Sweden, is that the country is extremely well-equipped to deal with the dropping temperatures. Properties are well insulated, and the cities offer refuge in the form of fika at cosy coffee shops and restaurants.
Breath-taking nature
Just outside of Sweden’s stylish cities is an abundance of nature waiting to be explored. From the breath-taking archipelagos (including the ones outside of Stockholm and Gothenburg), to lakes, rivers, national parks and more; Sweden’s landscape is as diverse as the nationalities that call this country home.
Sweden’s ‘allemansrätten’ law gives people the freedom to ‘roam’ – i.e. walk, cycle, or camp on any public land, to take full advantage of the great outdoors. Even in the winter, the outdoors can be enjoyed, with winter sports such as skiing, sledding, and skating all popular activities amongst families.
Best cities to move to in Sweden
Deciding where to move to in Sweden depends on your lifestyle choices, needs and requirements. From buzzing cities, to quaint towns and quiet villages, there are many housing opportunities available.
Stockholm
- Average house price: 5,884,000 SEK (£513,250)
- Pint of beer: 69 SEK (£6)
- Cappuccino: 39.27 SEK (£3.45)
- Meal in a restaurant: 127.50 SEK (£11.20)
- Monthly public transport pass: 930 SEK (£81.50)
- Population: 975,904
Sweden’s capital attracts expats who work in fashion and finance, which are the two largest industries in the city; although it’s a hub for tech start-ups too. The city of Stockholm is made up of 14 islands, with one of the main ones Gamla Stan (the Old Town), home to the Royal Palace.
Stockholm isn’t short of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, and everywhere you go, you’ll see cutting edge design. When finding a place to live, professionals flock to Kungsholmen and Södermalm; whereas families veer towards the suburbs of Bromma – where a branch of the International Engelska Skolan is located – and Danderyd.
Gothenburg
- Average house price: 4,932,000 SEK (£430,210)
- Pint of beer: 67 SEK (£.5.90)
- Cappuccino: 40 SEK (£3.50)
- Meal in a restaurant: 120 SEK (£10.5)
- Monthly public transport pass: 775 SEK (£68)
- Population: 570,000
Gothenburg provides an alternative to Stockholm; ideal for expats moving to Sweden who want to live in a city, whilst still experiencing true Scandinavian charm. The largest employment opportunities here are in shipping and trade (the port of Gothenburg is the biggest in Scandinavia), but many expats in Sweden work at the university too.
The centre of Gothenburg is packed full of fashionable shops, and minimalistic Scandi-style bars, cafes and restaurants. For fika, there’s no better place to than head to Haga; whereas Slottskogen is the ideal place to take a break from city life.
Property prices on average are cheaper than in Stockholm, with Linné a popular area amongst professionals, and Eriksberg and Hisingen both family-friendly areas.
Malmö
- Average house price: 4,101,000 SEK (£357,722)
- Pint of beer: 77.5 SEK (£6.80)
- Cappuccino: 43.5 SEK (£3.80)
- Meal in a restaurant: 100 SEK (£8.80)
- Monthly public transport pass: 550 SEK (£48.20)
- Population: 316,588
Located in southern Sweden, just 30km away from Copenhagen, many residents of Malmö will say they identify more as Danish than Swedish. The third largest city in Sweden, Malmö has a wealth of employment opportunities in R&D, retail, construction, and property.
Centred around Lilla Torg (the town square), Malmö’s city centre features medieval architecture, and a marketplace that’s over 500 years old. Head slightly out of the city to Ribersborgsstranden, which is a popular beach in the summer. On a clear day, you can see Copenhagen, at the other end of the Öresund Bridge.
When choosing a place to live, Västra Hamn (located near the Turning Torso) is popular among families, whereas Augustenborg is favoured amongst singles and professionals.
Managing your finances in Sweden
Here at Blacktower, we specialise in ensuring our clients have access to the most suitable financial products and services, wherever they may be in the world.
Based in Stockholm, our representatives in Sweden can help you with inheritance tax planning, pension planning, pension transfer schemes, savings and investments, and we have a range of solutions for wealth management too.
Our bespoke solutions are made through comprehensive understanding of your individual needs and requirements, and we strive to ensure your goals become financial reality.
Whether you need QROPS advice for expats or you want to plan overseas asset management, talk to Blacktower’s independent financial advisers in Sweden to see if we can help you sow some seeds for a secure financial future today.
Please fill out our contact form above so that we may can get in touch with you or call our HEad office Tel: +357 25 566 190