Renting is flexible but competitive (hello, queues), while buying offers stability but requires upfront cash and commitment. Many internationals rent first and consider buying later, once they’re more settled.
buying vs renting: pros and cons
new roots3 minutes
So… should you rent or buy when you move here?
It’s one of the first big decisions internationals face — and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
In reality, renting can take time — a lot of time — while buying can move fast, and most people end up doing both at different stages.
Let’s break it down.
renting
- Lower upfront cost
- Flexible (easy to move)
- Maintenance taken care of
- But long queues for first-hand contracts
- Second-hand = faster, but temporary
buying
- Requires a sizable deposit
- Faster access to stable housing
- Long-term investment
- Less flexibility if life changes
- Maintenance falls on the owner
This is the core trade-off:
- Renting costs you time (queues, searching)
- Buying costs you money (deposit, risk)
In cities like Stockholm, queues for first-hand rentals can take years — 8-12 in fact.
But buying? You could move in within weeks.
The classic path:
- Arrive
- Rent andrahand or inneboende
- Get settled (job, income, personnummer)
- Buy when ready
This isn’t a compromise — it’s a strategy.
renting
- More predictable monthly costs
- No responsibility for major repairs or building maintenance
- No ownership or equity built up
buying
- Mortgage payments, including interest and amortisation
- Monthly BRF fee if you buy an apartment
- Repairs, maintenance and other ownership costs
- Upfront costs when you buy and sell
the trade-off
Buying can build equity as you repay your mortgage and the property value changes, but it also comes with more financial responsibility and risk.
It makes more sense to rent when:
- you have just arrived
- your job situation isn’t stable yet
- you might move cities
- you don’t have a deposit ready to buy
- You plan to stay long-term
- You have stable income in Sweden
- You’ve built some financial buffer
- You’re tired of temporary housing
This isn’t a binary choice.
The smartest move? Use renting as your launchpad, not your final destination.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or financial advice. Eligibility requirements, regulations, and digital services may change over time. Always consult official providers for the latest information.
- Don't wait for the perfect first-hand contract: if you need somewhere to live now, consider a second-hand rental or inneboende while you build up your housing queue time and get established
- Don’t rush into buying just to “escape renting”
Learn more about hyresrätt (renting first-hand)
Learn more about andrahand (second-hand)
Your inneboende guide
Buying property in Sweden: smart guide for international buyers
Rental housing queues
↗︎ Hitta (BRF directory)
↗︎ Booli
↗︎ Allabrf
↗︎ Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority
↗︎ Get a personnummer (personal ID)
is renting in sweden really that hard?
- It depends on what you're looking for:
- First-hand contract (förstahandskontrakt): often difficult in popular cities because demand is high and queues can be long
- Second-hand rental (andrahandsuthyrning): usually easier to find, but contracts can be shorter and less stable
- Room / living with someone (inneboende): often one of the easiest ways to find somewhere to live when you're new to Sweden, particularly if you don't yet have a first-hand contract or enough time in a housing queue
can foreigners buy property in sweden?
Yes. Sweden has very few restrictions on foreign buyers.
do you need permanent residency to buy a home?
No — but getting a mortgage can be harder without Swedish income or credit history.
is buying always cheaper long-term?
Often — but not always, especially in the short term.
how long are waiting times for first-hand contracts?
In major cities, often several years.
why are first-hand rentals so difficult to get?
Demand heavily outweighs supply in many cities.
what is a bostadsrätt?
Sweden’s most common form of apartment ownership — somewhere between owning and co-operative housing.