Real estate investment in Sweden

Foreigners can freely buy, lease, and sell real estate in Sweden. There are no restrictions on property ownership for non-residents or foreigners.

Statistics confirm the liquidity of investments: residential real estate prices grow every quarter by an average of 1,2%. Seven years ago, an apartment of 100 m² cost an average of €383,000, and today it is sold for €480,000.

€4,800

Average price per 1 m²

1.2%

Average price growth per quarter

0.01—3.2%

Associated costs, of the property value

How the residential property price index is growing in Sweden

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Cost of a 3-bedroom apartment in Sweden

€2 million

Penthouse in the historical centre of Stockholm

€1 million

Apartment within a 10-minute drive from the Royal Palace

€250,000

Apartment in Malmö

Schedule a meeting

Individual selection of investment properties

  • Discuss your tasks and goals

  • Choose between properties from reliable developers

  • Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase

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Sweden residency or citizenship by real estate investment

Sweden does not have a direct citizenship program or residence permit by investment, and purchasing real estate does not grant the status directly.

However, property ownership can be used to prove a residential address in Sweden and obtain residency on other grounds and qualify for citizenship several years later.

Taxes and associated costs

40+ guides with European countries

Find out how much it costs to buy and rent real estate in each country, what the market dynamics are and what taxes you need to pay when buying and selling.

Igor Buglo

Material prepared by Igor Buglo, Head of the Maltese office, MBA

Updated:
07 October, 2024

Frequently asked questions

  • Can foreigners buy property in Sweden?

    Yes. Foreigners in Sweden can buy and sell real estate without restrictions. They can also rent out an apartment if the cooperative housing allows that.

  • Is real estate in Sweden expensive?

    The average cost of residential real estate in Sweden is €4,800 per 1 m². The price dynamics are below the European Union’s average. However, real estate prices in Sweden grow in price by 1,2% quarterly.

    An apartment in Malmo can be bought for €250,000, while a 3-bedroom apartment in Stockholm can be bought for €955,000.

  • Do Swedes pay property tax?

    Buyers of real estate in Sweden pay a stamp duty of 4,25%.

    Property owners in Sweden pay an annual property tax of 0.2—2.8% of the cadastral value. The rate depends on the property type.

    The owners who rent out their property, pay an annual income tax of 30%.

    Sellers of real estate in Sweden pay a capital gains tax of 30% on the difference between the sale and purchase price.

  • Is it a good investment to buy a house in Sweden?

    Yes. Real estate properties in Sweden are liquid assets. The price of residential real estate is growing quarterly by an average of 1,2%. An investor who, seven years ago, bought an apartment for €383,000, can today resell it for €480,000.

  • Will house prices go down in Sweden?

    The Swedish housing market is currently facing challenges, with declining property demand and construction activity, compounded by a weakening economy.

    In 2023, the national house price index dropped by 6,31%, a steeper decline compared to the previous year’s 3,73% decrease and a sharp reversal from the year-on-year increases of 15,78% in 2021, 10,26% in 2020, and 3,9% in 2019, as reported by Statistics Sweden. This marked the worst performance for the country’s housing market since 1993.

    When adjusted for inflation, house prices fell significantly by 11,24% in 2023.

  • Can I get residency in Sweden if I buy a house?

    No. Sweden does not have a direct citizenship program and does not grant residence permits by investment. However, property ownership can be used to prove a residential address in Sweden and obtain residency on other grounds.