How to buy property in Sweden and get residency?

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Sweden Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Sweden Property Pack

Who is the author of this content?

INVESTROPA

A team specialized in real estate investing in European countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, etc.).

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Sweden. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At InvestRopa, we explore the Swedish real estate market every day. Our team doesn't just analyze data from a distance—we're actively engaging with local realtors, investors, and property managers in cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. This hands-on approach allows us to gain a deep understanding of the market from the inside out.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through these conversations and our observations. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or expert validation were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.

What are the main ways a foreigner can legally buy property in Sweden?

Foreigners can legally buy property in Sweden without any restrictions on nationality or residency status.

Sweden operates an open property market where anyone—regardless of their citizenship or immigration status—can purchase, own, and sell real estate including apartments, houses, and land. You don't need to be a Swedish resident, have a Swedish bank account, or obtain special permits to buy property.

The purchase process requires standard documentation including proof of identity, proof of address, bank statements showing sufficient funds, and a signed purchase agreement with the seller. The transaction must include a written agreement specifying the purchase price and signatures from both buyer and seller.

Property registration occurs through Lantmäteriet (the Swedish mapping, cadastral and land registration authority), and the process typically takes a few weeks to complete. Foreign buyers have the same property rights as Swedish citizens, including the right to rent out their property and sell it at any time.

It's something we develop in our Sweden property pack.

Can you get residency or a visa in Sweden just by buying property?

No, purchasing property in Sweden does not grant you residency, a visa, or any immigration status.

Sweden maintains a clear separation between property ownership and immigration rights. Unlike some countries that offer residency through real estate investment, Sweden does not provide any immigration benefits solely based on property purchase, regardless of the property value or number of properties owned.

Property ownership may help establish a residential address if you already qualify for residency through other legal routes, but it cannot serve as the basis for obtaining legal immigration status. This means you can own property in Sweden while living elsewhere and visiting as a tourist, but you cannot use property ownership to extend your stay beyond standard tourist visa limits.

If you want to live in Sweden permanently, you must qualify for residency through other established immigration routes such as work permits, family reunification, study permits, or the business investment route.

Does Sweden offer any Golden Visa or Citizenship by Investment programs?

Sweden does not offer a Golden Visa or direct citizenship-by-investment program.

Unlike countries such as Portugal, Spain, or Malta, Sweden has no passive investment scheme that grants residency or citizenship in exchange for financial investments, real estate purchases, or government bond investments. There is no minimum investment threshold that automatically qualifies foreign nationals for Swedish residency.

Sweden's immigration system focuses on active contribution to the economy rather than passive investment. The country does not offer any fast-track citizenship programs for wealthy investors or special visa categories for property buyers.

The only investment-related pathway available in Sweden is through active business creation and management, which requires ongoing involvement in Swedish business operations rather than passive financial investment.

How does the residency-by-investment process work in Sweden, and what are the exact steps?

Sweden offers residency through business investment via the self-employment residence permit, which requires starting and actively managing a business in Sweden.

The process begins with developing a comprehensive business plan that demonstrates viability and your ability to support yourself and any family members through the business income. You must show significant prior experience in your industry and business management, along with proficiency in Swedish or English.

You need to own at least 50% of the business and have executive responsibility for its operations. The business must sell goods or services within Sweden and be structured to become financially sustainable within two years.

The application steps include: preparing all required documentation (business plan, financial projections, proof of funds, identity documents, evidence of experience), submitting your application online to the Swedish Migration Agency before arriving in Sweden, paying the application fee of approximately SEK 2,000, waiting 6-20 months for processing, and if approved, registering your business with the Swedish Tax Agency and beginning operations.

What is the minimum investment amount required for getting residency through business or real estate?

The minimum investment for Swedish residency through business is SEK 200,000 (approximately €17,700) for the main applicant, with additional amounts required for family members.

Applicant Type	Required Funds (SEK)	Required Funds (EUR)
Main applicant	200,000	17,700
Spouse/Partner	100,000	8,800
Each child	50,000	4,400
Family of four total	350,000	31,000
Business start-up capital	100,000-200,000	8,800-17,700

These funds must be available to support yourself and your family for the first two years while establishing your business. The money serves as proof of financial independence and cannot be borrowed specifically for the visa application.

Real estate investment alone does not qualify for any residency program in Sweden, regardless of the investment amount. There is no minimum threshold for real estate investment that leads to immigration benefits.

The business must demonstrate potential to become self-sustaining and generate sufficient income to support your family after the initial two-year period.

Is there a specific real estate investment route approved for immigration or residency purposes?

No, Sweden does not have any real estate investment route approved for immigration or residency purposes.

Swedish immigration law does not recognize real estate investment as a valid basis for obtaining residency permits, regardless of the property type, location, or investment amount. This applies to all forms of real estate including residential properties, commercial buildings, land purchases, or development projects.

Real estate investment cannot be used as part of a business investment application unless the real estate is directly necessary for business operations (such as purchasing a building to operate a restaurant or retail store). Even in such cases, the residency application is based on the business activity, not the real estate ownership.

The only approved investment route for Swedish residency is through active business creation and management, which must involve ongoing operational responsibilities rather than passive investment activities.

What are the requirements and conditions for the business investment route to residency?

The business investment route to Swedish residency has specific requirements focused on active business management and economic contribution.

1. **Business ownership and control**: You must own at least 50% of the business and have executive responsibility for its operations and strategic decisions.2. **Prior experience requirement**: Significant experience in your industry and previous business management experience are mandatory. Swedish authorities evaluate your track record and expertise.3. **Language proficiency**: You must demonstrate proficiency in either Swedish or English through recognized language testing or educational credentials.4. **Business viability**: The business must sell goods or services within Sweden and show clear potential to become financially sustainable within two years.5. **Financial independence**: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and family members for two years, plus adequate start-up capital for the business.6. **Comprehensive business plan**: Detailed business plan including market analysis, financial projections, operational structure, and growth strategy.7. **Legal compliance**: The business must comply with all Swedish regulations, tax requirements, and employment laws.

It's something we develop in our Sweden property pack.

How long is the residence permit granted through investment, and can it be renewed?

The initial business investment residence permit is granted for two years and can be renewed for an additional two years if the business remains viable.

The first permit allows you to establish and operate your business while demonstrating its sustainability. During this period, Swedish authorities monitor the business performance and your compliance with visa conditions.

Renewal for the second two-year period requires proof that your business is generating sufficient income to support you and your family without reliance on social services. You must demonstrate continued active management of the business and compliance with all Swedish business regulations.

After four years of continuous residence under the business permit, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency, provided you maintain good conduct and continue operating a viable business. The permanent residency application is evaluated based on your integration into Swedish society and ongoing economic contribution.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Sweden versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you're planning to invest there.

Can family members (spouse, children) be included in the residency permit application?

Yes, family members including spouses, partners, and children can be included in your business investment residency application and receive permits for the same duration.

Eligible family members include your spouse or registered partner, unmarried children under 18, and in some cases, unmarried children over 18 who are financially dependent on you. All family members receive residence permits with the same validity period as the main applicant.

You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support all family members during the permit period. This includes the additional funds required for each family member: SEK 100,000 for a spouse/partner and SEK 50,000 for each child.

Family members can work, study, and access most Swedish services during their residence period. They are also included in the pathway to permanent residency after four years and eventual citizenship eligibility.

Family members who join later through family reunification procedures may have different processing times and requirements compared to those included in the original application.

Is there a clear and legal path from residency by investment to permanent residency and then citizenship?

Yes, there is a clear legal pathway from business investment residency to permanent residency and Swedish citizenship, though it requires several years of continuous residence.

After holding a business investment residence permit for four years (two initial years plus two renewal years), you can apply for permanent residency. The permanent residency application requires proof of continued business viability, financial independence, and good conduct during your residence period.

Once you obtain permanent residency, you must hold it for five years before becoming eligible to apply for Swedish citizenship. This means the total timeline from initial business investment visa to citizenship eligibility is approximately 9-10 years.

Swedish citizenship application requires demonstrating integration into Swedish society, continued good conduct, and meeting language requirements. You must also show that you can support yourself financially and have not relied on social assistance during your residence period.

The pathway is legally established but requires consistent compliance with all residence permit conditions throughout the entire period.

What is the full application process—from collecting documents to getting approved—and how long does it take?

The complete application process for Swedish business investment residency typically takes 8-24 months from document preparation to final approval.

Phase	Duration	Key Activities
Document preparation	2-6 months	Business plan, financial documents, experience verification
Application submission	1-2 weeks	Online application, fee payment, document upload
Initial review	2-4 months	Completeness check, preliminary evaluation
Detailed assessment	4-12 months	Business plan evaluation, background checks
Decision and permit issuance	2-4 weeks	Final decision, permit card production

Document collection involves gathering business plans, financial statements, proof of experience, language certificates, identity documents, and family member documentation. This phase often takes the longest as it requires comprehensive preparation and potential translation of documents.

The Swedish Migration Agency processes applications in the order received, but complex business plans or unclear documentation can extend processing times. Current processing times range from 6-20 months depending on application complexity and agency workload.

It's something we develop in our Sweden property pack.

Are there real stories or case studies of people who successfully (or unsuccessfully) obtained residency or citizenship this way?

While specific individual case studies are not widely published due to privacy considerations, Swedish immigration authorities report that the business investment route has a mixed success rate depending on business plan quality and applicant preparation.

Successful applications typically involve experienced entrepreneurs with detailed business plans, sufficient capital reserves, and clear market research. Common successful business types include technology services, consulting firms, restaurants, retail businesses, and import/export operations that serve the Swedish market.

Unsuccessful applications often fail due to insufficient business experience, unclear business plans, inadequate financial resources, or businesses that appear primarily designed to obtain residency rather than genuine commercial operations. Applications are also rejected when the proposed business shows little potential for sustainability or economic contribution to Sweden.

The Swedish Migration Agency emphasizes that this route is intended for genuine entrepreneurs who can contribute to the Swedish economy through active business management. Passive investment schemes or businesses that exist solely for immigration purposes are consistently rejected.

Processing times and approval rates can vary significantly based on the complexity and credibility of the business proposal, with well-prepared applications having higher success rates.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. Nordic Council - Housing in Sweden
2. Immigrant Invest - Sweden Real Estate Guide
3. InvestRopa - Sweden Real Estate for Foreigners
4. Wise - Buying Property in Sweden
5. Malekpour Immigration - Sweden Immigration 2025
6. Immigration Sweden - Citizenship by Investment
7. Swedish Immigration - Citizenship Through Investment
8. Armenian Lawyer - Sweden Residency by Investment Guide
9. Swedish Migration Agency - Self-Employed People
10. Relocate.me - Sweden Self-Employment Visa