How to find a home in Stockholm
Publish date: 24 February 2026
Stockholm is one of the hottest tech hubs in the world and the fastest-growing city in Europe. As a consequence, the housing market is quite competitive. Find out how to best tackle the challenge of finding a home.
First-hand contracts (Hyresrätt)
A first-hand contract means you rent directly from the property owner. This is the most secure option. Most apartments are allocated through queue systems. In Stockholm, the main queue is managed by Bostadsförmedlingen i Stockholm, where waiting times are often long. Always ensure you receive a written contract and understand the rent and notice period. For guidance on tenant rights, see Hyresgästföreningen.
Subletting (Second-hand rentals)
Second-hand rentals are common, especially for newcomers, but require extra caution. If a rental apartment is sublet, the property owner must have approved it in writing. Without approval, the arrangement may be unlawful and the first-hand tenant risks losing their contract.
Before signing:
- Ask for proof of approval
- Make sure you have a written contract.
- Check that the rent is reasonable.
If you suspect overcharging or unclear terms, remember that for rental apartments (hyresrätt) the rent may not exceed the original first-hand rent, apart from a reasonable surcharge for furniture. If you believe you are paying too much, you can seek advice from Hyresgästföreningen or apply for a review with Hyresnämnden.
Renting a condominium (Bostadsrätt)
When renting a condominium in second hand, the owner must have permission from the housing association. The rent must be reasonable under Swedish law. Always clarify what is included and ensure the rental period and notice terms are stated in writing.
Lodging (Inneboende)
Renting a room in someone’s home can be a flexible option. Make sure you agree in writing on rent, notice period and access to shared spaces.
Student housing
If you are admitted to a university in Stockholm, apply for student housing as early as possible. Availability is limited.
Buying an apartment or house in Stockholm
If you're interested in buying your own place, Hemnet is the most popular site for finding an apartment or house to buy.
Co-living in Stockholm
An increasingly popular option for newcomers in Stockholm, co-living offers ready access to a community in generally very well-designed spaces with costs for cleaning and utilities covered by the monthly fee. This can be a great short-term option for international talent while awaiting a more permanent housing solution. As an added bonus, a lot of fellow residents will also be relatively new in town and eager to discover Stockholm with new friends.
A selection of co-living options:
Useful links for finding a home
There are a number of ways to find available sublets. Bostad Direkt is a commercial agency that helps people find apartments around town. They are a useful online resource for finding a second-hand rental.
Another commercial agency in Stockholm is Samtrygg. They can help you find legal housing since they control and verify the ads. When renting through Samtrygg, they provide sublet insurance, the possibility to rent deposit-free, and personal customer service throughout the rental process. Legal counseling is also provided free of charge if needed.
Other websites include Qasa blocket.se, homii.se, beaps.se, findroommate.se, residensportalen.com, uthyrningsportal.se, bostadscentralen.se, beresident.se and forenom.com to name a few. If you're looking for a shorter-term business apartment solution check out Ett Smart.
Language tips
Some of these sites will be in Swedish, so familiarise yourself with some basic Swedish housing vocabulary:
- Lägenhet/hyresrätt = apartment/rental apartment
- Hyra lägenhet = rent an apartment
- Uthyres (i andra hand) = to let (sublet)
- (Number) rum och kök = the number of rooms an apartment contains aside from the kitchen and WC. “2 rum och kök” is a 2-room apartment with a kitchen.