As an international student, it is crucial to budget for accommodation and other expenses so that one can afford to live comfortably.

The accommodation options in Sweden include:

Rented Flats: Such accommodations have large spaces, and renting a flat is between SEK 2,500 to SEK 6,500, depending on the type and place of stay. The average monthly expenses will be around 700 – 1,200 EUR/month. Students choosing to rent a flat need to contact the appropriate municipality and submit their names so they can be shortlisted. Renting a flat in the city centres may be challenging, but the student can seek help from private landlords in the municipality or by checking housing portals.

Hall of Residence: These are hallway rooms with less accommodation space at a reasonable cost. The housing is payable for nine months into a study course. Due to the low cost, such accommodation is difficult to procure.

Because Sweden is such a popular country to study in, finding suitable accommodation can take time, depending on the location. Most places will require students to have some if not all, proof of consent and visa information ready when signing up the rental agreement. While smaller towns and cities have more flats available, other bigger cities like Stockholm, Uppsala and Lund often have waiting lists, so if accommodation is not guaranteed as part of their exchange agreement or enrolment, students may end up looking for suitable accommodation for a while. Once a student’s name appears on the waitlist, they will not be able to relocate from one housing association or city to another.

Students interested in renting flats or halls of residence should contact the universities regarding placements into one of the housing options. International students are also given privileges such as prior reservations to book accommodation. Such an allowance will vary depending on the income stated on the rental form.