Although there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Sweden, if you’re not already living in Sweden permanently, get clued up on your immigration and visa eligibility at Migrationsverket.se – especially if you’re not an EU national.
Most people live in smaller settlements with good amenities. One of the advantages of life in Norrland is that public services are of a very high standard, and most areas of Skellefteå have access to super-fast fibre broadband. Combine this excellent infrastructure with relatively inexpensive rural property prices and you have a very attractive and unusual combination – good public services and low house prices, in the countryside at least. In northern Sweden, a 20-minute drive to a city centre is considered “close”. Bear in mind that houses outside cities are usually considerably cheaper than their urban counterparts.
FINDING A HOUSE
The best property website is Hemnet.se, but Blocket.se or Facebook Marketplace are great if you want to buy directly from the seller.
In Sweden you can’t borrow more than 85% of the property’s value. If you’re taking out a mortgage, you’ll be expected to pay a 15% deposit. Your monthly repayments will also include the 1.5% stamp duty tax plus an 825 SEK admin fee, and the pantbrev (mortgage deed) at 0.95%. You should also obtain a written loan commitment from your bank prior to buying.
CONTACT ESTATE AGENT
The best way to arrange a viewing with an estate agent? Send them a text or call them directly. Estate agents are regulated by law. It’s their obligation to safeguard the interests of the seller and the buyer, which is why solicitors are rarely used in Sweden for property purchases.
MAKE A BID
Bidding on a house is easily done by sending the estate agent a text. A bid is not legally binding until the purchase agreement has been signed by both buyer and seller.
PROPERTY INSPECTION
As a buyer, you have a duty to investigate the property before purchasing. In Sweden, it’s very bad form to leave a residence in an uninhabitable state, so white goods such as cookers and fridges are usually included by the seller. In Norrland, maintenance costs can be particularly costly during the long winters. Check the basics thoroughly, such as water boilers and pipes.
SIGN CONTRACTS
Once your bid has been accepted, you meet with the estate agent and the seller to sign the contracts. You must then pay a 15% down payment on the property.
COMPLETION – CONGRATULATIONS!
Complete a final inspection of the property.
The rest of the money is transferred to the seller at the bank, and you will sign a contract of sale (köpebrev) that proves you are the legal owner. The bank will use this contract to send in an application for land registration in your name.
Within a couple of weeks you’ll receive the sale contract, along with verification that you are now the registered owner. Congratulations! You’ve bought a northern Swedish house!
