Renting a home in Sweden in 2026: leases, prices and deposits
In Sweden you may rent directly from a landlord through a first-hand lease (förstahandskontrakt), rent second-hand from an existing tenant (andrahandskontrakt), or rent an owner-occupied property under separate private-rental rules. They are not identical arrangements. Start with your city, budget and intended stay, then check exactly which type of agreement each listing offers.
First-hand rental homes are often marketed through housing queues and landlords' own systems. Second-hand housing may be quicker to find but needs a careful check of the sublandlord's right to rent. Use written agreements and a traceable payment record. Sources checked 9 November 2026.
How much does a rental apartment cost in 2026?
Statistics Sweden (SCB) released 2026 rent figures on 2 October 2026 for the ordinary rental-housing stock. Average monthly rents were SEK 5,640 for a one-room apartment, SEK 7,742 for two rooms, SEK 9,528 for three rooms and SEK 12,158 for four or more rooms. The average rent increase from 2025 to 2026 was 3.3%.
These are national statistics for rental apartments, not a guaranteed offer on the second-hand market. The average three-room rent in Greater Stockholm was SEK 10,600, illustrating regional differences. Treat the figures as context rather than the legally permitted rent for an individual home. For running costs see Utility bills in Sweden.
Sources: SCB, 2026 Rent Statistics ; SCB room-based table (checked 2026-11-09).
How do housing queues work?
Housing queues generally give applicants waiting time according to the provider's rules. The actual wait depends on location and housing type. Stockholm's municipal housing agency reported an average waiting time of 8.8 years for homes allocated in September 2026. It also reported 1,371 apartments allocated so far in 2026 to applicants with zero to two years of waiting time.
The average does not mean everybody must wait 8.8 years. Register with relevant legitimate providers, follow the queue rules, and check any annual fee on the operator's own site.
Source: Bostadsförmedlingen i Stockholm, September 2026 report (checked 2026-11-09).
What is the difference between first-hand, second-hand and private rental?
A first-hand lease is directly with the primary landlord. A second-hand tenant rents from someone who already holds the first-hand tenancy; subletting the entire rental apartment generally requires the landlord's or the rent tribunal's approval. Renting an owner-occupied apartment (bostadsrätt) has different permission and pricing rules.
A new Private Rental Act came into force on 1 July 2026 for privately rented villas, owner-occupied flats and similar homes. Agreements made before 1 July 2026 remain subject to the earlier private-rental law. Do not apply the rules for subletting a rental tenancy automatically to privately owned homes.
Sources: Swedish Courts, New rental and housing cooperative rules ; Rent Tribunal, second-hand rentals (checked 2026-11-09).
How do you check whether second-hand rent is reasonable?
When an ordinary rental tenancy is sublet, the first-hand rent is an important starting point. A furnished apartment may carry a furniture supplement of up to 15% of the first-hand rent. Extra charges for household electricity, broadband or parking cannot exceed actual costs. If you believe you overpaid, you can contact the rent tribunal (hyresnämnden).
The 15% furniture rule describes subletting of rental tenancies, not every private letting of an owner-occupied flat under the new 2026 law. Confirm the property's legal type before assessing a proposed charge.
Source: Swedish Courts, Reasonable rent on subletting (checked 2026-11-09).
What should your lease and deposit terms say?
Write down the parties, apartment description, rental period, monthly rent, due date, notice period and services included. If a deposit is requested, specify the amount, refund date and conditions for deductions. Record property condition and inventory with dated photographs on arrival and departure.
For a second-hand tenancy, ask to see the permission to sublet. If the agreement is signed before permission has been granted, its validity should be conditional on approval. Avoid paying someone who refuses to show the apartment or identify themselves.
Sources: Swedish Courts, Second-hand subletting ; Swedish Police, Advertising fraud (checked 2026-11-09).
How can you avoid fake rental listings?
Swedish Police warn that scammers copy genuine advertisements and demand several months' rent or a deposit in advance. Verify that the flat exists, identify the person offering it, check their right to let it and insist on a written contract. Do not pay in advance before seeing the apartment and signing the agreement.
Be particularly careful if the supposed landlord says they are abroad, cannot meet and still demands advance payment. Avoid anonymous payment services and keep all correspondence. If you were scammed, contact your bank first and then report to the police.
Source: Swedish Police Authority, Annonsbedrägeri (checked 2026-11-09).
Do you need a personnummer, and how is your address registered?
According to the Swedish Tax Agency, most people moving to Sweden for a planned stay of at least one year should register as residents. First-time registration leads to a personal identity number (personnummer). A personnummer is not itself a universal legal requirement to sign a rental contract, though individual landlords and housing queues may run identity checks.
You normally register where you actually live, even if you rent second hand or occupy a room in someone else's apartment. International movers follow a separate registration procedure. Once you have a home you will also need a phone and internet: see Mobile SIM, eSIM and home internet in Sweden.
Sources: Skatteverket, Moving to Sweden ; Registering at the right address (checked 2026-11-09).
In other countries
The same topic in our guides for other countries.
Frequently asked questions
No. That was the average for a particular Stockholm allocation period.
No. The contractual parties and applicable rules differ.
No. For subletting an ordinary rental tenancy, the furniture supplement is capped at 15%.
No. Property type and signing date matter.
The Swedish Police advise against prepayment before viewing and signing.
You should register where you actually live, subject to the Tax Agency's rules.
No. It is a statistic for the rental stock.
Related guides on this website
- Utility bills in Sweden: electricity, water, waste and internet
- Mobile SIM, eSIM and home internet in Sweden
- Budget and prices in Sweden
Find housing businesses in the directory: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
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