Buy a House in Sweden
If you are seeking assistance to buy an apartment in Stockholm, you can get in touch with our lawyers. Contact us for buying a house in Sweden.
If you want to buy a house in Sweden, our lawyers are at your service. Discover what the entire procedure entails and how we can help you.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Specific legislation applicable (yes/no) | Yes, Swedish Land Code |
Possibility to acquire Swedish properties by foreigners (yes/no) | Yes, foreigners can buy and sell real estate without restrictions |
Types of properties that can be purchased in Sweden | Single-Family Homes, Apartments, Townhouses, Duplexes, Commercial Properties, Land and Building Plots |
| Real estate due diligence is required in Sweden (yes/no) | yes |
| Registration of ownership | You must apply for legal registration at the Swedish Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registration Authority (Lantmäteriet) in order to be registered as an owner and fill out the application for registration of ownership |
| Financing options availability (yes/no) | Yes |
| Special property acquisition programs for foreign citizens (yes/no) | No |
| Time frame to acquire a property in Sweden (approx) | The time frame to acquire a property in Sweden can vary depending on a number of factors such as location, price range, and availability. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete the process |
| Taxes to consider upon a property purchase | Stamp duty of 1.5% for individuals (4.25% for legal entities), annual municipal property fee for homes of 0.75% of the cadastral value |
| Land registry registration requirement | In order to obtain a certificate of registration of title, it is necessary for a buyer of real estate to submit an application for ownership registration to the Land Survey Authority within three months of the purchase |
| Best cities to buy properties in Sweden | Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmø |
| Residency requirement for foreign citizens buying real estate in Sweden | Individuals from outside the EU do not face legal restrictions when purchasing property in Sweden. They have the freedom to buy houses in Sweden without being permanent residents or residents at all |
| Possibility to appoint a Swedish representative during the transaction | Yes, you can hire our Swedish lawyers |
| Property tax rates in Sweden | 1 % for commercial office space, 0.5% for industrial property |
| Support in buying a property in Sweden | Our real estate lawyers in Sweden can offer you practical legal support while buying a property in this country |
Can I buy a property in Sweden if I am a foreigner? Are there any special requirements?
Yes, there are no restrictions on foreigners buying properties in Sweden. Moreover, you don’t need a residence permit either. However, you need to obtain a Swedish tax ID.
What types of properties can I acquire in Sweden?
When discussing property types in Sweden, it is important to note that apart from the type of building, there are specific ownership rights you can obtain. From this point of view, you can choose between:
- freehold houses,
- cooperative or tenant-owner properties.
NOTE: The difference between the two types of ownership is that in tenant-owner properties, you will own a unit in the building owned by the cooperative. Also, this purchase method is quite popular in Sweden.
What are the steps to buy a house in Sweden?
After you find the appropriate house for you, our Swedish lawyers will help you with:
- the real estate due diligence process;
- documents drafting, including the pre-sale agreement;
- representation during the acquisition procedure;
- registration after the purchase.
NOTE: You are not required to conclude the procedure through a public notary in Sweden, which is why most clients rely on the support of our law firm in Sweden.
We also have an infographic on this topic:
What are the documents required to buy a house in Sweden as a foreigner?
The following:
- your valid passport;
- the Swedish tax ID (our accountants can help you obtain it in due time);
- the pre-sale and sale-purchase agreement, which will be drafted by one of our lawyers.
What is the procedure of buying a Swedish property like?
A purchase agreement is first negotiated when buying a house or any other property. Then deed verification and a property survey both take place at the same time. As soon as a deal is concluded, the deed is approved, and the surveyor has cleared the property for sale, the deal is final. The buyer and seller both sign a purchase agreement/contract, which is known as a köpekontrakt (followed by the köpebrev, the deed of purchase).
Are advance payments customary when buying a property in Sweden?
Yes, hence the pre-sale contract. Usually, a deposit (handpenning) of about 10% is paid when the contract is signed. This enables you to apply for a mortgage, in case you need one.
How long does it take to acquire a property in Sweden?
It can take up to 2 months.
Here is also our video on how to buy a Swedish property:
What are the benefits of owning a house in Sweden?
If you are interested in buying a house in Sweden, you should keep these potential benefits in mind:
- Stable Real Estate Market: Sweden has a stable and well-regulated real estate market, making it an attractive option for property investment;
- Strong Property Rights: Sweden has strong property rights protection, ensuring that property owners have legal security and can enjoy their rights without undue interference;
- High Quality of Life: Sweden is known for its high quality of life, with excellent healthcare, education, social welfare, and infrastructure. Buying property in Sweden can provide access to these benefits;
- Long-Term Investment: Property in Sweden can be a good long-term investment, as property prices have generally shown a positive trend over the years.
Please consult with our Swedish lawyers specializing in international transactions to understand the specific rules and regulations that may apply to your situation when you buy a property in Sweden.
Our lawyers can also put you in touch with their local partners if you decide to purchase land or a house in another country, such as Greece. The Greek lawyers can explain to you the main rules related to buying land and observing the local laws. EU citizens benefit from the same rights as Greek citizens related to buying land, but they must check the main legal conditions that can be imposed at a regional level. Such conditions refer to the use of the purchased plot. If you want to buy it for building a house, you will need various building permits, amongst many others.
If you are planning to buy a property in Sweden, you are welcome to contact our real estate lawyers, because they have a deep understanding of the Swedish property market and can provide legal advice on all aspects of the buying and selling process.
Johan Olehäll, Lawyer · 2 October 2026Johan Olehäll has an LL.M. (Master of Laws) and is founder of VS Legal Counsel.