Student housing in Sweden
How student housing works in Sweden, including providers, queues, deposits, contracts and practical risks to check before signing.
Read the complete Sweden study abroad guide.
Housing
Housing is the hardest part of moving to Sweden and the part students underestimate most. Sweden allocates rental housing by queue, and queue time is the currency. In Stockholm the wait for an ordinary rental flat runs to many years.
Student housing is the realistic route. Some universities guarantee accommodation to international students, others do not, and the difference should influence where you apply. Apply for student housing on the day you accept your place, not after.
Corridor rooms (a private room, shared kitchen) are the cheapest and the most social. Studio flats cost considerably more. Beware the second hand (andrahand) private market: subletting requires the landlord's or the housing association's approval, deposits and first month rent are demanded up front, and scams targeting arriving international students are common. Never transfer money for a flat you have not seen, and never pay before you have a signed contract.
Source: https://studyinsweden.se/
Common questions
What should international students know about housing in Sweden?
Housing runs on queues. Apply for student accommodation the day you are admitted.