Finding student accommodation
There is a lack of student accommodation in the Stockholm area, and it can take a whole semester to find a room. So its a good idea to start looking for accommodation as soon as you can.
Waiting times for flats vary from one residential area to another. One alternative to renting a student room or flat is to share a normal flat with one or more other students. Here are some links and information about different forms of accommodation available to students in Stockholm.
Student accommodation
Karolinska Institutet Housing AB
We advise all students who need accommodation in Stockholm to contact the Karolinska Institutet Housing (previously called UAC) to have your name placed on a waiting list as soon as your receive your notification of selection results. For more information and to download application forms for first-hand accommodation, visit the Karolinska Institutet Housing website.
State the following as your contact at Karolinska Institutet on their application form:
International Study Advisor Eva Feron
- Address:
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Karolinska Institutet
Education Support Office
Berzelius väg 3 Plan 5
171 77 Stockholm
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Karolinska Institutet
SSCO
The unions in the Stockholm Federation of Student Unions (SSCO) maintain an online list of different student accommodation companies. You can stay in student accommodation for as long as you remain a student, but must move out as soon as you complete your studies. Most companies also demand that you complete a certain number of credits per semester in order to qualify for tenancy.
Rented accommodation
Stockholm operates a municipal accommodation agency that you can sign up with. The cost of joining a queue for accommodation is about SEK 250 per year. Waiting times vary from one residential area to another (the inner city, not surprisingly, has the longest waiting times), but generally speaking these times have been decreasing in recent years. They also operate a system called "Bostadssnabben" for flats that are ready for immediate occupancy on a first come, first serve basis.
Housing association flats
There is an enormous range of housing cooperative flats in Stockholm, and if you know that you will be living in Stockholm for a long period, it can be worth buying one. The prices vary widely between the inner city and the suburbs, with high square meter prices in the inner city. In outlying areas prices can vary more and are usually lower, generally decreasing as the distance to the centre increases. The largest website for housing association flats (and houses) is Hemnet, which lists the majority of properties for sale.
Subletting
Opportunities for subletting in Stockholm are usually quite good, but you have to be a little careful not to end up paying too high rent. Also make sure that the landlord has consented to the sublet, otherwise problems could arise.
CasaSwap - international housing network
CasaSwap is a free international housing network, where you can rent, sublet & swap accommodation with other members from all over the world.
Temporary accommodation
The following links can be used if you need to find temporary accommodation while you search for somewhere more permanent. Be sure to book ahead of time, as even hotel-type accommodation can be very scarce around the start-of-term.
