The Local's guide to moving in Sweden

There are always lots of things to keep track of when you are about to move, and it can be more complicated when moving from or within a foreign country. However, it's reassuring to remember that most of the moving basics you are already familiar with also apply in Sweden.

A successful move within Sweden is made possible with good planning and methodically crossing things off your checklist. The Local has teamed up with its friends at Adressändring to put together a list of things worth thinking about.

Changing address - Adressändring
You can notify the authorities and many Swedish companies of your change of address by making one call to Adressändring.

The easiest way is to contact Adressändring's customer service (020-97 98 99) from a landline or +46 (0)771-97 98 99 from a mobile or abroad). Do this at least five days before you want your post delivered to your new address.

The line is open weekdays between 8am and 7pm and provides information and service in English. Simply explain your circumstances to one of our customer service representatives and the completed forms will be sent to you.

Once you have checked that the information is correct, sign the document and send it to back to Adressändring and, where relevant, to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

You can also place a similar order via Adressändring's website. Registration is free. Be sure to put your name on the door of your new address. Otherwise the postal operators will have difficulty in delivering your post.

Adressändring also offers other services to assist your move, for a reasonable fee. The most valuable service is forwarding your post for a 12-month period. Without this, all correspondence after your departure will be returned to sender in Sweden. The forwarding service provides you a buffer to notify family, friends and other contacts of your new address.

Once registered with Adressändring you receive free electronic services to notify your friends and family of your new address. You can use Facebook, sms or email notification along with other electronic features to notify Swedish businesses that cooperate with Adressändring. 


Adressändring can also supply traditional postcards to announce your change of address. For future needs, it is worth noting that Adressändring also offers helpful services to hold delivery of post as well as temporary domestic and foreign forwarding for periods that you are away from home.

If you are moving permanently to Sweden from another country you must also visit the Swedish Tax Agency in person and complete a form (flyttanmälan) confirming that you have moved to Sweden. After you are officially registered at your new address all public Swedish authorities and agencies will be automatically notified.

If you are moving permanently to another country, Adressändring can help you to order mail forwarding (see above). You must report your move to the Swedish Tax Agency, using form SKV 7665, entitled 'Anmälan om flyttning till utlandet'. You can obtain this form from the Swedish Tax Agency.

Beyond the practical inconveniences of the physical move, moving within Sweden is very simple when it comes to changing address registration, made all the more easier with Adressändring.

More details can be found on Adressändring's pages in English.

A month or more in advance
If your moving day coincides with people moving in/out to either your old or new place it is advisable to coordinate. You do not want to be waiting outside your new property for the old tenants to vacate.

Reserve the date for your move with a moving company well in advance. Most moves occur on the same day or weekend, just before or just after the turn of the month. The same demand exists for hire vans and trailers that you can book at petrol stations and car rental firms.

Flyttsidan is an official portal for authorised moving companies (in Swedish) although it is always wise to ask friends and neighbours for recommendations. You can also find additional helpful and moving-related information.

It is also time to notify and/or terminate subscriptions for cable television and internet suppliers. Companies can invoice you for each calendar month regardless of when the service will terminate.

Contact your utilities supplier(s). You need to give a month's notice to avoid being liable for consumption after you have moved out. If utilities are included in your rent you aren't required to notify the supplier.

When deciding on which new company to supply your new home, compare prices on website such as Konsumenverket or Elskling. Compricer is an additional site to compare energy suppliers, bank interest rates and more.

Be sure your home insurance is valid and active throughout the time you are in your old home and covers your new home from the day you move. In Sweden, 'hemförsäkring' covers more than simply protecting your home and the goods in it.

1-2 weeks ahead
Transfer your landline. You are allowed to keep your existing telephone number if you relocate within the same area code, otherwise there will be a three-month notice period for advising callers of your new number.

There is a charge from Telia to transfer your account as they are responsible for the telecoms infrastructure. One way to avoid this cost is to look for offers at Telia, usually with additional services such as broadband. Be advised that the transfer can take several days.

There is a popular trend to get rid of fixed landlines. This could be a good opportunity to weigh the pros and cons keeping it altogether. Alternatives include an IP telephone number provided through your internet supplier. With the help of a special IP-phone it can look and feel just like a landline set.

You could also use a computer programme such as Skype, which is free to download from their website. Bear in mind that emergency calls cannot be automatically localised with IP phones at the emergency assistance number 112 (SOS Alarm).

Clearing and recycling
Moving house is always an opportunity to have a good clear out. While there is no curbside service to throw away items that are not standard household waste, the recycling centres (återvinningscentral) are free of charge.

Search 'återvinningscentral' and your location to get list of centres. A list for the Stockholm region can be found here (in Swedish).

Donating or selling reusable items is another way to reduce what you need to pack. Charities which accept donations include Myrorna, Stadsmissionen, Röda Korset and Erikshjälpen. Contact the shop directly to arrange a possible pick up if you have large furniture items.

You can sell your goods yourself via websites such as Blocket or Tradera or via auction houses (including commission) such as Bukowski's Market where you can sell and deliver items to Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

There are regular flea markets in most Swedish cities. In greater Stockholm you can rent a table at the largest indoor flea market Loppmarknaden seven days a week.

The country's largest car boot sale Täbyloppis is open in Stockholm from the end of May. More information on markets can be found at Stockholmsmarknader.

Article sponsored by Adressändring.