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Are you considering living abroad in Sweden? You won’t want to miss this helpful guide that will jumpstart your research and help you determine if you can afford living in Sweden and if you want the lifestyle of the Swedes.
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Sweden ranks above average in terms of jobs offered, earnings made, work-life balance, housing accommodations, and safety. So no wonder it is such an appealing place to live abroad for expats and retirees!
As one of the largest countries in the European Union, there is much history, culture, and entertainment you can explore.
Sweden also has one of the top 10 fastest internet connections in the world, and that will particularly appeal to digital nomads planning to work remotely while touring the world.
Keep reading to learn more about this fabulous country!
Need To Know When Living Abroad In Sweden
In this article, we’ll talk about the most important things you should know if you’re an expat, digital nomad, or traveler moving to Sweden. Before living abroad, you’ll want to know the cost of living in Sweden, if it is expensive to live in Sweden, and what it’s like as an American there.
We’ll also have sections about how to retire in Sweden and how to move to Sweden.
It’s vital that before you make such a big decision such as moving across the world that you know if you can afford it. We’ll help you determine that. It’s also well worth your time to check out our general guide about all you need to know before living abroad.
If at the end of this article you decide Sweden is the right place for you, you won’t want to miss our list of the best places to live in Sweden. If you aren’t sure, you can check out other great places to live in Europe.
Cost Of Living In Sweden Vs. USA
The cost of living in Sweden is 37% less expensive vs. in the USA. To help us understand if you can afford to live there, we’ll break down the costs of housing expenses in Sweden, food expenses in Sweden, transportation in Sweden, and average salaries in Sweden.
Our statistics come from LivingCost and are estimates. We acknowledge that these prices are always in flux, and they are intended to give you a general idea but not set amounts.
Housing Expenses In Sweden Vs. USA
For one person to rent housing, it costs on average $721/month in Sweden compared to $1399/month in the United States. For a family to rent, it costs on average $1179/month in Sweden vs. $2331/month in the USA. These fluctuate depending on if you’re downtown or in a suburb.
Food Expenses In Sweden Vs. USA
Average monthly food expenses cost $435 in Sweden vs. $568 in the USA. In general, buying groceries in Sweden is cheaper than in the United States, and eating out is also more affordable in Sweden.
Here’s a breakdown of some average grocery expenses:
- 1 loaf of bread: $2.25 in Sweden vs. $3.04 in the USA
- 12 eggs: $3.17 in Sweden vs. $3.91 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of cheese: $9.43 in Sweden vs. $11.80 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of bananas: $2.22 in Sweden vs. $1.72 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of apples: $2.63 in Sweden vs. $4.66 in the USA
Here’s a breakdown of average restaurant expenses:
- Lunch: $9.81 in Sweden vs. $16.60 in the USA
- Dinner: $60.20 in Sweden vs. $63.30 in the USA
- Fast Food Meal: $8.19 in Sweden vs. $9.07 in the USA
Transportation Expenses In Sweden Vs. USA
When it comes to transportation expenses, Sweden is undoubtedly more expensive than in the United States. On average, monthly transportation costs $113 in Sweden vs. $98 in the USA.
Here are some estimates of transportation expenses:
- Local Transport Ticket: $3.06 in Sweden vs. $2.23 in the USA
- Monthly Transport Ticket: $74.60 in Sweden vs. $65.50 in the USA
- Taxi: $22.80 in Sweden vs. $17.40 in the USA
- ¼ Gallon of Gas: $1.89 in Sweden vs. $1.01 in the USA
Salaries In Sweden Vs. USA
The average salary in Sweden is SEK 481,200 ($46,875 USD). The average salary in the United States is $97,962 USD. While these numbers vary greatly, it’s important to remember they are only averages and that the cost of living in Sweden is lower vs. in the USA.
Is Sweden Expensive To Live In?
While the United States has been ranked the 5th most expensive country in the world, Sweden ranked 33rd most expensive, which if you’re moving from the USA, Sweden will feel much less expensive. When compared to other European countries, however, Sweden is considered expensive.
One factor that affects living expenses is healthcare.
Healthcare In Sweden
The healthcare systems in Sweden rank in the top 10 around the world. Their systems are decentralized, giving responsibility to the regional councils and local municipalities. While healthcare is not free in Sweden, it is very reasonable compared to other European countries.
In 2022, Sweden’s Karolinska University Hospital ranked as the 9th best hospital across the world.
If you plan to move to Sweden for more than a year, you will need a personnummer, a Swedish tax identification number, so that you can join the public health scheme. There are small copays required at doctor appointments.
You can always consider getting a private health insurance plan in Sweden. Here at Pacific Prime, we have excellent international plans you can choose from to meet your needs.
Living In Sweden As An American
If you are planning to live in Sweden as an American, there will be some cultural differences that may come as a shock and take a bit of getting used to. That may include how casual and relaxed Swedes are in general about life (but not when it comes to punctuality!).
Here are some Swedish cultural differences that may be new to an American:
- Swedes drink coffee like camels drink water.
- At pharmacies and stores, customers often collect a numbered ticket and are served in order of their numbered queue.
- Many Swedes speak English very well, but it is always best to learn Swedish to fully integrate into your new home
- It’s common for fathers to work as equal partners in raising children and stay home with the kids.
- Swedes often drop titles and refer to everyone by the first name, expecting the same in return (even doctors!).
- Expect many businesses to close in July because many Swedes use their 25 days of paid time off in the hottest month of the year.
- You’ll take off your shoes every time you enter a private residence.
- Swedes are very punctual, so be on time!
- Stores will charge you for their plastic bags, so save your bags and reuse them.
- Business casual in Sweden usually means jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.
Retiring In Sweden From USA
To retire in Sweden from the USA, you will need a Schengen visa. You apply for this in the USA before you move at either a Sweden consulate or embassy. You also must complete a residence permit interview in Washington, D.C.
What you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa:
- Valid passport
- Financial disclosures
- Passport photo
In Sweden, there is no retirement age, so you can retire whenever you choose. The earliest you can begin receiving your pension, however, is age 63, and everyone who has worked or lived in Sweden is entitled to a Swedish retirement pension.
Pensions are determined based on the income you have paid taxes on.
Moving To Sweden From USA
To move to Sweden from the USA you can either apply for a residence permit, a work permit, or a retirement visa. If you plan to move to Sweden and work there, you must first have a job offer in Sweden before you can apply for a work permit.
To move to Sweden for more than 90 days, you will need a residence permit. This application must be submitted inside the USA at a Swedish Consulate.
To apply for a residence permit, you will need:
- The application form
- Notarized copies of your passport and/or other permits
- Return ticket
- Bank statements
- Confirmation letter from an insurance company
- Application fee
To become a Swedish citizen, you must be 18 years or older, and you must have lived in the country for 5 years or have permanent residence inside Sweden.
The tax burden in Sweden is quite high, so you’ll want to consult a financial advisor about how to avoid being taxed in both the United States and Sweden.
Conclusion
Now that we have discussed the cost of living in Sweden, learned that it is expensive to live there (but cheaper than in the USA), some cultural differences between the two nations, and the process of retiring and moving to Sweden, you are set to get started!
If, however, you feel unsure if Sweden is the right place for you to move, consider living abroad in Ireland or the UK.
Wherever you end of deciding to go, it is always wise to secure health insurance plans abroad so you can have the coverage you need to take care of yourself and your family.
Wishing you a grand adventure!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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