Buying a house in Sweden
Looking to relocate to Sweden? Are you dreaming of a life by the Arctic Circle? We can help! Below we have gathered some information and tips that are useful to know when you are about to buy a house in Sweden.
Where can I find a house in Sweden for sale?
Houses that are sold through a real estate agent are posted on the website Hemnet. It is the biggest site for real estate in Sweden. Some property owners choose to sell their houses privately on the website Blocket. Blocket is a Swedish second-hand marketplace for private persons, as well as companies.
Have a real estate agent help you, to ensure a proper purchase
So you found a house you wanna buy. Now what?
1. Bid on the house
You participate in a bidding and come to an agreement with the real estate agent or seller about a purchase price.
2. Sign contract
You will sign a contract of sale with the seller and pay a deposit (usually 10% of the total purchase price).
3. Transfer money
When you transfer the rest of the purchase price, you will receive a deed of sale (Swedish: köpebrev) and can apply for a title deed (Swedish: lagfart).
When you have received the title deed, you formally own a Swedish property! Congrats!
Ask for, or order an inspection of the house.
As a buyer, you have an obligation to inspect the house thoroughly – either yourself or with help from an independent inspector – and the purchase cannot be withdrawn if the fault could have been discovered.
Transactions
Transaction problems can sometimes halt or even hinder a purchase, which is why you should inform yourself as soon as possible about how it works.
Non-Swedish bank
We recommend that you as a buyer contact your bank and ask about their terms and conditions, as well as experiences when it comes to international transactions. This can vary a lot between banks and countries. The seller should show the proof-of-purchase documents to their bank to verify what the international transaction regards.
Swedish bank
We recommend that you as a buyer contact a Swedish bank, well in advance, to discuss the possibility to become a customer. Please note that you need to verify your identity (with a valid passport), explain the reason for the bank account (that you are buying a house) and can show where the money comes from (so it’s not related to money laundering etc.)
If the property is only intended as a vacation/holiday home, the operating costs can be paid from the non-Swedish bank if the receiver has IBAN and SWIFT/BIC.
Requirements for a sales contract
Written
Description of the property (cadastral reference number) and the purchase price)
Real Estate Transfer Declaration
Signed by both seller and buyer
Requirements for a title deed
The acquisition document must be signed by the seller (and agreed upon by the seller’s spouse if applicable) and attested by two persons. The acquisition document is usually the deed of sale, which is the receipt that the total purchase price has been transferred from the buyer to the seller.
Useful links
Moving to a different country is a huge step and there are many practical details surrounding a relocation. Here are two links to the official site of Sweden and the official guide Working in Sweden.