Accomodation

Finding accommodation in Stockholm can be challenging, so it's important to begin your search before you arrive in the city. You can find general information about accommodation on the Karolinska Institute accommodation page.

Rental accommodation

KI housing

KI Housing offers furnished apartments and rooms in various areas of Stockholm for international students, postdocs, and guest researchers.

The maximum rental period is one year. If you plan to stay for a longer period, you'll need to arrange additional accommodation during your time at KI.

It is important to note that applications must be submitted no later than three months after your arrival in Sweden, as you'll no longer be eligible to apply after this deadline.

Verified housing companies

If you are not eligible or not able to find accommodation through KI housing, there are other verified housing companies in Stockholm including:

  • Wenner-Gren Foundations offers apartments to international researchers working in Stockholm. Applications must be submitted either before arriving in Sweden or within six months of arrival and it is highly recommended to apply as soon as you receive your job offer. Keep in mind that the wait time can be longer than two years.

  • Campus Roslagen (in Swedish) provides rooms and apartments for students and researchers in Norrtälje, north of Stockholm. Keep in mind that the travel time to the KI Solna campus is approximately 1.5 hours and even more for the KI Huddinge campus.

Public housing queue

Bostadsförmedlingen i Stockholm is a marketplace for available housing units in Stockholm and the suburbs. However, note that you need a Swedish personal number to apply. The waiting list for the average person is 7-11 years. If you are willing to pay higher rent, there are options for newly built houses with shorter wait times. For Bostadssnabben, there is no queuing period, but registering your interest in an apartment often requires several approval conditions such as an employment contract and landlord references.

Private rental

Subletting an apartment from a private landlord is another option for accommodation in Stockholm. Some of the most frequently used sites include:

  • KI housing for rent displays available accommodation posted by private landlords who want to sublet their apartments to researchers and students at KI.

  • Bostad Direkt, Blocket and Samtrygg are platforms where you can search for rooms, apartments, or houses in Stockholm offered by private landlords.

  • Qasa is a database where you can search for an apartment offered by private landlords, and their tool helps you find the right home and sign a rental agreement.

  • Housing anywhere is a platform where you can search for a room in Stockholm, and the rooms offered on their website are from verified students and landlords.

  • Facebook groups like Expats in Stockholm and others like it also have offerings from landlords for subletting their apartments.

Temporary housing

If you arrive in Stockholm before securing long-term housing, there are several options for temporary accommodation:

Additional tips

  • In addition to the options mentioned above, it's also common to hear about available rooms through colleagues or friends.

  • Since landlords often receive many responses to their listings, make sure to introduce yourself briefly when responding to listings.

  • Be active in your search! While searching for accommodation in Stockholm can be frustrating, you'll eventually find something suitable.

  • You may want to consider paying a small fee to post your own listing, which can help you be more selective about location and price.

  • Don't forget to factor in transportation options and commuting time to KI by using the SL journey planner before making any decisions about a property.

Beware of scams

It's important to be cautious when searching for housing in Stockholm and to avoid potential scams. Before sending any money, make sure you:

  • Meet the landlord and confirmed their identity (check them out on Hitta)

  • View the accommodation​

  • Sign a contract

Remember to register your new address with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

Buying an apartment/house

Purchasing an apartment in Stockholm can provide greater stability and potentially lower monthly costs compared to renting. Property listing websites include Hemnet and Samtrygg.

For more in-depth information and advice on buying a home in Stockholm, we recommend the following articles in English (updated 2022) or Swedish (updated 2023).

Home insurance

It is highly recommended to obtain home insurance (hemförsäkring) during your stay in Sweden. In the event of theft, damage or loss of your personal property or rented accommodation, you will be responsible for covering the repair or replacement costs. Home insurance typically covers personal property, personal liability, and legal expenses, as well as travel protection in case of illness or accident.

Some Swedish insurance companies include: