Accommodation in Sweden

Malmö is located in Skåne county, in the south of Sweden ' just half an hour away from Copenhagen, Denmark. With a population of 333,633 comprising people from over 170 different countries and a young vibe, Malmö is a very diverse and welcoming place to live for expats. As is the case in the other two major Swedish cities (Stockholm and Gothenburg) however, finding accommodation in Malmö will not be an easy task. The good news is that rent prices are considerably lower here.

The housing market in Malmö

Finding first-hand rental is very hard, as there is a housing queue you will need to register to and the waiting period can take up to several years (!) before you are placed in an apartment. As a result of that, people in Malmö rent second-hand, i.e. renting the accommodation from the current tenant, with the owner's consent. Since even renting second-hand will take some time, good alternatives in the meantime include renting short-term, flat-sharing or co-living.

Rent prices are going up in Malmö, although they are still considerably lower than in other cities. There was a 3% increase in single-room apartments since last year and a 4% increase in multiple-room apartments. For instance, you will need an average of 4,900 SEK (490 euros) for a regular studio apartment, and around 11,000 SEK (1,100 euros) for a three-bedroom apartment in a popular neighbourhood. These prices usually include hot water and electricity.

Good to know: As the area has a great public transport system, many people find it better (and less expensive) to live in smaller towns or outskirts such as Lund and commute to work to Malmö or even Copenhagen every day.

Districts & neighbourhoods in Malmö

Malmö is, by far, Scandinavia's most dynamic and diversified city. Indeed, its multicultural population is a blend of foreign nationals coming from 170 countries. More than 150 languages are spoken in the region. Indeed, Malmö is known to host the biggest https://www.expat.community in the whole country, accounting for 40% of the city's population.

Good to know: More than 31% of Malmö's inhabitants were born abroad, so you really won't have a problem if you don't speak perfect Swedish yet.

Over the years, some of Malmö's neighbourhoods have been labeled as 'dangerous', however that is not the case anymore. Vibrant neighbourhoods such as Möllan in the city centre, Västra Hamn (which is also known as the City of Tomorrow), Sibbarp (overlooking the Ãresund Bridge) are great options if you want to be immersed in city life. More quiet options include Augustenborg and Limhamn.

How to find accommodation in Malmö

If you are planning to settle in Malmö you will have to be very patient and plan your move well in advance. Word of mouth is no doubt a useful tool when it comes to housing search, so feel free to ask your friends and contacts on the spot regarding any vacant housing units. There is also a relevant Facebook group you can join so that you get notifications once something is available.

You may also check out classified ads on housing websites and in local newspapers. Some housing websites actually do a lot more than just featuring ads and can actively assist you in things such as building an online profile that will help set you apart as a good candidate, managing rental agreements, signing the lease etc. Some of these services, like Bostad Direkt require a fee. Consider also registering with a real estate agency which can find you help the ideal accommodation according to your needs and budget.

Useful links:

Lâgenhetsbyte
Regional rent and tenancies tribunals
Blocket
Bostaddirekt
Andrahand
Hyra bostad
Bostadshub
Uthyrnings Portal