Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden: From Someone Living There

In Sweden, there’s a concept called “lagom” that’s all about living in moderation and finding balance. It fits perfectly with “fika,” a daily coffee break where people slow down and connect with each other.

Life in Sweden moves at a slower pace, prioritizing well-being and community over the constant rush you might find elsewhere.

Living in Sweden means celebrating Midsummer, a time when the days are long and warm. People come together to mark the summer solstice with dancing, food, and traditions. It’s a highlight of Swedish culture and a big reason why summer is often called the best time to visit Sweden.

Another pro of living in Sweden is its vacation policy. You get about 5 weeks of vacation, plus a small vacation pay bonus. It’s common for people to take 4 weeks off during the summer, making it easier to enjoy the sunny season and recharge.

In Sweden, salaries are designed to cover not just your basic needs but also to support a comfortable lifestyle. While the cost of living can be high, wages are adjusted accordingly, making it possible for most people to live well.

Sweden also has a transparent approach to salaries. Many roles have collective agreements to ensure fairness across industries, especially in sectors like tech.

But, if your goal is to save a significant amount from your salary, Sweden might not be the best choice. Compared to countries like Singapore, saving money can be more challenging due to higher taxes and living costs.

One of the biggest pros of living in Sweden is the flexibility many workplaces offer. In my experience working in tech, it’s common for companies to trust employees to manage their time. This means you can step out during work hours for personal errands or doctor’s appointments without strict oversight.

This flexibility might vary across industries, but it reflects Sweden’s overall progressive work culture. Many companies focus on results rather than rigid schedules, prioritizing employee well-being and making it easier to balance work and personal responsibilities.

Sweden also provides generous family leave, allowing parents to share up to 480 days of leave with around 80% of their salary covered.

For those facing unemployment, Sweden offers strong financial support through unemployment benefits. Also, the public employment service, Arbetsförmedlingen, helps job seekers by connecting them with employers and providing valuable resources during their search.

One of the biggest pros of living in Sweden is its strong commitment to gender equality. The government actively works to close the gender gap by ensuring equal access to quality education and job opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender.

One of the biggest pros of living in Sweden is its comprehensive social welfare system, which ensures everyone has access to basic needs and financial security. This includes universal healthcare, free or low-cost education, generous paid parental leave, disability services, and retirement benefits.

It also serves as a reliable safety net, providing support during challenging times like unemployment or illness.

One of the pros of living in Sweden is its modern and streamlined processes, which significantly reduce the hassle of traditional bureaucracy. While getting a BankID can be a bit of a hassle at first, once you have it, you can access most services online—from banking and healthcare to government tasks and online shopping.

This makes Sweden one of the easiest places to handle everyday tasks, saving time and effort, especially if you’re comfortable with technology.

Sweden is one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to gender and LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009, and same-sex couples have been allowed to adopt children since 2003.

Hate crime laws protect individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

While no country is perfect, Sweden’s progressive stance on equiality and inclusivity makes it a welcoming and safe place for people of all genders and identities to live.

Sweden has a lot of options for people with dietary restrictions, making it easy to find food that works for you. Whether you need gluten-free, lactose-free, allergen-free, or vegan options, you’ll find them widely available.

That said, while Sweden caters well to dietary needs, it may not be the place to find the most exceptional or diverse cuisine.

Sweden is home to people from all over the world, creating a multicultural society where different backgrounds and traditions come together. This diversity makes Sweden an inclusive and welcoming place to live, offering opportunities to connect and learn from others.

Sweden’s tax system is designed to reduce income inequality with progressive taxes, meaning higher earners pay a larger share. These taxes fund Sweden’s extensive public services, like healthcare and education.

But, wealth inequality remains very high. A small percentage of the population holds most of the country’s wealth, which the tax system doesn’t fully address. While Sweden’s high taxes support social benefits, they don’t reduce the gap between the wealthiest and everyone else.

Integrating into Swedish society can be challenging, even with the country’s welcoming attitude toward immigrants. While you can easily get by with English, learning Swedish is important for deeper connections and feeling truly integrated.

Cultural differences can also be a hurdle. Swedish society values individualism and privacy, which might feel unfamiliar if you come from a more community-focused culture. Adapting takes time, patience, and an open mind, so it’s natural to find the process difficult at first.

Interested in learning Swedish? I’ve been using iTalki, and it’s been great for practicing and building my confidence.

Sweden is often seen as an inclusive society, but in recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in how immigrants are perceived. Blame is increasingly directed at immigrants, even those who actively contribute and make efforts to integrate.

Finding a job in Sweden isn’t always easy for foreigners, and it’s getting even harder now. If you don’t speak Swedish or have a non-Swedish name, the process can feel even more difficult. While there are English-speaking opportunities, many roles still prioritize Swedish skills—for the culture, they say.

Racial discrimination, though not always visible, can also be a barrier. For some, these challenges are among the reasons not to move to Sweden.

Finding an apartment in Sweden can be a real challenge. While the rental market is heavily regulated, and there are reliable platforms to help you find housing, the reality is that demand far outweighs supply. This shortage makes it hard to secure an apartment, especially in major cities.

Even if you manage to find a place, competition is high, and long-term leases are not always available. The housing shortage can make moving to Sweden more challenging, especially in major cities.

An important aspect to consider in the pros and cons of living in Sweden is the healthcare system. Sweden’s public healthcare is accessible to everyone, but getting timely care can be challenging. Long waiting times, especially for non-urgent issues, can mean some problems go unaddressed for longer than expected.

While private insurance isn’t required, these delays can feel frustrating, especially considering the high taxes residents pay to support the system.

I can’t speak for the rest of Sweden, but when it comes to Stockholm, public transport has enough issues to land it on my list of cons. While transportation is convenient if you live in the city center, it’s a different story if you’re outside of it. Connecting lines often require you to travel through the city center just to reach other destinations, which can be a hassle.

On top of that, the commuter train (pendeltåg) can be unreliable. For instance, line 43 is canceled for six weeks every year, adding up to an hour to some journeys and disrupting daily routines.

Is Living in Sweden Expensive?

One of the most common questions about living in Sweden, especially in Stockholm, is about the cost of living. The Swedish Migration Agency estimates that a single adult needs at least 6,186 SEK per month to cover essentials like food, clothing, hygiene, phone costs, electricity, insurance, and minor expenses.

In my experience, this amount underestimates actual costs, especially for food and electricity. Don’t forget to budget for entertainment and leisure. For more details, check out my blog post on the cost of living in Stockholm.