Can you live in Sweden after buying property?

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

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.

Can foreigners buy property in Sweden, and are there any restrictions?

Foreigners can freely purchase and own property in Sweden without any general restrictions, regardless of their nationality or residency status.

The Swedish property market is completely open to international buyers, allowing foreigners to purchase apartments, houses, and land with the same ownership rights as Swedish citizens. There's no minimum investment requirement, no need to establish Swedish residency before purchasing, and no requirement to live in the country after buying property.

The only exception applies to certain agricultural properties in rural areas, which may require special government permission for foreign ownership. However, this restriction is rarely encountered in typical residential property transactions in major cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö.

Property ownership in Sweden is also not limited by the buyer's country of origin, meaning citizens from both EU and non-EU countries have equal access to the Swedish real estate market. This open policy makes Sweden one of the most accessible European property markets for international investors.

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

Does buying property in Sweden automatically give me residency rights?

No, purchasing property in Sweden does not provide any residency rights, visa privileges, or legal right to stay in the country beyond standard tourist limits.

Property ownership and immigration status are completely separate legal matters under Swedish law. Buying a house, apartment, or land in Sweden—regardless of the purchase price—gives you ownership rights to that property but provides zero immigration benefits or pathways to residence permits.

This means that even if you own multiple properties worth millions of SEK, you still must follow standard immigration procedures and meet the same requirements as any other foreign national seeking to live in Sweden. The Swedish government does not operate any "golden visa" or investor residency programs based on property investment.

Foreign property owners must obtain proper residence permits through established routes such as employment, business establishment, family reunification, or study programs. Without such permits, property owners can only stay in Sweden as tourists under the standard Schengen Agreement rules.

What type of visa or residence permit do I need to live in Sweden full-time?

To live in Sweden full-time, you need a residence permit obtained through one of four main categories: employment, self-employment/business, studies, or family reunification.

Work permits require a job offer from a Swedish employer who sponsors your application, with the employer demonstrating they cannot fill the position with EU citizens. The employment must meet Swedish salary and working condition standards, and the permit is initially tied to that specific employer.

Self-employment permits allow you to start and run a business in Sweden, requiring at least 50% ownership of the company, a viable business plan, and sufficient capital (typically SEK 200,000 or more) to support yourself and any family members for at least two years. This route demands active business management, not passive investment.

Study permits are granted for full-time enrollment in Swedish educational institutions, requiring proof of acceptance, financial support, and health insurance. Family reunification permits apply to spouses, registered partners, children, or other close relatives of Swedish citizens or permanent residents.

Each permit type has specific requirements, documentation, and processing procedures that must be completed before moving to Sweden for permanent residence.

How much money do I need to show for financial stability when applying for a residence permit?

Permit Type	Financial Requirement	Additional Details
Work Permit	SEK 6,090/month + housing costs	Employer must guarantee salary meets minimum standards
Self-Employment/Business	SEK 200,000 minimum for 2 years	Plus SEK 100,000+ for spouse, SEK 50,000+ per child
Student Permit	SEK 9,450/month (2025)	Must cover living expenses plus tuition fees
Family Reunification	SEK 6,090/month + housing	Sponsor must prove financial capacity for family
Tourist/Visitor	Varies by length of stay	Proof of funds for intended visit duration

Can I apply for residency just as a property owner, or do I need work, studies, or family ties?

Property ownership alone cannot be used as grounds for obtaining Swedish residency, and you must have work, studies, family ties, or legitimate business operations to qualify for a residence permit.

Sweden does not offer any investment-based residency programs or "golden visas" that would allow property owners to gain residence permits simply through real estate purchases. The Swedish Migration Agency requires applicants to demonstrate genuine ties to the country through employment, education, family relationships, or active business management.

Even wealthy property investors who own multiple properties cannot obtain residency purely based on their real estate portfolio. The emphasis is on contributing to Swedish society through work, bringing skills needed in the labor market, pursuing education, or joining Swedish families.

For business-based residency, you must actively manage and operate a Swedish company, not simply invest passively in property or other assets. The self-employment permit route requires demonstrating that you'll be running a viable business that contributes to the Swedish economy.

This policy ensures that residence permits are granted to individuals who will actively participate in Swedish society rather than those seeking residency purely for convenience or tax purposes.

What is the minimum length of stay allowed on a tourist visa if I only own property but don't have residency?

Property owners without Swedish residency permits can stay as tourists for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement rules.

This means that even if you own property worth millions of SEK, you're still subject to the same tourist visa limitations as any other foreign visitor. The 90/180-day rule is strictly enforced and applies regardless of property ownership, investment amounts, or stated intentions to purchase more real estate.

The 180-day period is calculated as a rolling timeframe, meaning immigration officials will look back 180 days from any given date to determine how many days you've already spent in the Schengen area. Exceeding these limits can result in entry bans, fines, and complications for future visa applications.

Property ownership provides no extensions, exemptions, or special consideration for longer tourist stays. Many property owners mistakenly believe that owning real estate gives them unlimited access to their property, but Swedish immigration law makes no such allowances.

For longer stays, you must obtain proper residence permits through the standard immigration channels, regardless of your property holdings in Sweden.

Are there any tax implications for non-resident property owners?

Non-resident property owners in Sweden face several tax obligations, including annual property charges and potential rental income taxes, but benefit from the absence of wealth taxes.

All property owners, regardless of residency status, must pay an annual municipal property charge of 0.75% of the property's assessed tax value, with the amount capped at approximately SEK 5,037 per year as of 2025. This tax is relatively low compared to many other European countries and applies to all residential properties.

If you rent out your Swedish property as a non-resident, you'll pay a flat 25% tax on rental income generated in Sweden. This tax applies only to Swedish-sourced income, and non-residents are not taxed on their worldwide income unless they become Swedish tax residents.

Sweden abolished its wealth tax in 2007, meaning property owners don't face additional taxes based on the value of their real estate holdings. However, when purchasing property, buyers must pay a transfer tax of 1.5% for individuals or 4.25% for companies.

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

Do I need a Swedish personal identity number to set up utilities, banking, or healthcare if I live there?

Yes, you need a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) to access most essential services including utilities, banking, and healthcare, which is only issued to residents with valid long-term residence permits.

The personnummer is fundamental to Swedish society and required for opening bank accounts, setting up electricity and water services, registering for healthcare, getting internet connections, and even simple tasks like getting a mobile phone contract. Without this number, accessing basic services becomes extremely difficult or impossible.

Only individuals with approved residence permits that allow them to live in Sweden for at least one year can obtain a personnummer from the Swedish Tax Agency. Tourist visa holders, short-term visitors, and property owners without residency cannot get this essential identification number.

Temporary residents may obtain a coordination number (samordningsnummer) for limited purposes, but this provides access to far fewer services than a full personnummer. Many banks, utility companies, and service providers will not work with coordination numbers, creating significant practical challenges.

This system effectively prevents non-residents from living comfortably in Sweden long-term, even if they own property, as accessing basic services becomes nearly impossible without proper residency status and the corresponding personnummer.

How long do I have to live in Sweden each year to maintain a residence permit or qualify for permanent residency?

You must live primarily in Sweden to maintain your residence permit, with extended absences potentially resulting in permit cancellation, and permanent residency typically requires 4-5 years of continuous legal residence depending on your permit type.

Swedish immigration authorities expect residence permit holders to maintain Sweden as their primary place of residence. While there's no specific number of days you must spend in Sweden each year, extended periods abroad may be interpreted as abandoning your Swedish residency, leading to permit revocation.

For permanent residency eligibility, self-employed individuals and business owners typically need 4 years of continuous legal residence, while other permit categories usually require 5 years. During this period, you must demonstrate integration into Swedish society, financial self-sufficiency, and good conduct.

The Swedish Migration Agency evaluates each case individually, considering factors like the length and frequency of absences, reasons for travel, and whether you maintain meaningful ties to Sweden. Short business trips or vacations generally don't pose problems, but spending several months abroad annually could jeopardize your residency status.

Permanent residents have more flexibility regarding travel and absences but can still lose their status if they establish primary residence elsewhere for extended periods without maintaining meaningful connections to Sweden.

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 I rent out my property if I'm not living in Sweden full-time, and what rules apply?

Yes, foreign property owners can rent out their Swedish properties even if they don't live in Sweden full-time, but must comply with all applicable tax and landlord regulations.

Non-resident property owners have the same rights as Swedish residents to rent out their properties, whether for short-term vacation rentals or long-term residential leases. There are no special restrictions preventing foreign owners from becoming landlords in Sweden.

However, rental income from Swedish properties is subject to a 25% flat tax rate for non-residents, which must be paid to the Swedish Tax Agency. This tax applies to all rental income generated from Swedish real estate, regardless of where the property owner lives or their tax residency status.

Property owners must also comply with local rental regulations, including tenant protection laws, safety requirements, and any municipal rules regarding short-term rentals. Some cities have specific regulations for Airbnb-style rentals that may require permits or limit rental days per year.

Landlords are responsible for providing proper rental contracts, maintaining the property in good condition, following eviction procedures if necessary, and ensuring compliance with Swedish consumer protection laws that heavily favor tenant rights.

How long does it usually take to get a residence permit approved once I apply?

Residence permit processing times typically range from 2 to 90 days depending on the permit type and complexity of your case, with business and self-employment permits often taking longer due to additional scrutiny.

Work permits for employees with job offers from established Swedish companies usually process faster, often within 2-4 weeks if all documentation is complete and the employer meets requirements. Study permits for accepted students also tend to process relatively quickly during peak application periods.

Self-employment and business permits require more extensive review of business plans, financial documentation, and viability assessments, which can extend processing times to several months. The Swedish Migration Agency must evaluate whether your business concept is realistic and economically viable.

Family reunification permits vary significantly depending on the relationship type, documentation complexity, and need for additional verification. Marriage-based applications may require interviews or additional evidence to verify relationship authenticity.

Processing times can be affected by application volume, missing documentation, requests for additional information, and the need for background checks. Submitting complete, accurate applications with all required supporting documents helps avoid delays and expedites the review process.

After how many years of legal residence can I apply for permanent residency or citizenship?

You can typically apply for permanent residency after 4 years if you hold a self-employment permit or 5 years for other permit types, while Swedish citizenship becomes available after 5 consecutive years of legal residence.

Permanent residency applications require demonstrating continuous legal residence, financial self-sufficiency, basic Swedish language skills in many cases, and good conduct without serious criminal issues. The application process involves proving you've maintained your primary residence in Sweden and integrated into Swedish society.

For Swedish citizenship, you must complete 5 consecutive years of legal residence with valid permits, demonstrate basic Swedish language proficiency, pass a civic knowledge test about Swedish society and history, and show good conduct. The residency period must be continuous, with extended absences potentially resetting the clock.

Citizenship applications are more stringent than permanent residency, with authorities carefully reviewing your integration, tax compliance, and any criminal history. Processing times for citizenship applications can take 12-24 months due to thorough background checks and documentation review.

Both permanent residency and citizenship provide significantly more security and rights than temporary permits, including the ability to travel freely and remain in Sweden indefinitely without permit renewals.

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

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. Immigrant Invest - Sweden Real Estate Guide
2. Investropa - Sweden Real Estate for Foreigners
3. Investropa - Can Foreigners Buy Land in Sweden
4. Investropa - Buy Property Sweden Get Residency
5. LinkedIn - Swedish Real Estate Ownership
6. Ace Money Transfer - Foreigners Buy Property Sweden
7. YB Case - Residence in Sweden
8. Swedish Migration Agency - Family Reunification
9. Malekpourmie - Immigration to Sweden 2025
10. Swedish Tax Agency - Property Tax