Moving to Sweden is an exciting adventure. From the vibrant cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg to the calm landscapes of Umeå or Malmö, Sweden offers an exceptional quality of life and highly reliable infrastructure.

Whether you are renting or purchasing a home, setting up your utilities correctly will help you settle in smoothly. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about setting up:

• Electricity

• Heating and Gas

• Water and Waste

• Internet and Mobile Services

It also includes major providers, average monthly costs, and practical tips for managing your utilities efficiently.

Electricity

Electricity in Sweden is a liberalized market, meaning you can choose your supplier. However, your grid operator (“elnätsbolag”) is fixed based on your address, they manage the physical delivery of electricity.

If you are renting, check whether the electricity is already connected or included in your rent (“inkluderat i hyran”). If not, you will need to:

1. Contact your local grid operator to activate the connection.

2. Choose an electricity supplier (“elhandelsbolag”) and sign a supply contract.

Documents required:

• Personal ID number (“personnummer”) or passport

• Proof of address (rental contract or property deed)

• Bank details for automatic payments

Major providers:

• Vattenfall

• E.ON Sverige

• Fortum

• Göteborg Energi

• Tibber (digital green energy provider)

Average costs:

• Apartments: 500–1,000 SEK/month (€45–€90)

• Houses: 1,200–2,500 SEK/month (€110–€220) depending on size and heating system

Tips:

• Consider hourly electricity contracts if you can shift usage to off-peak hours.

• Compare prices on sites such as Elskling.se or Compricer.se.

• Many Swedes choose renewable energy plans (hydro, wind, or solar).

Heating and Gas

Most Swedish homes do not use natural gas. Instead, heating is provided through:

• District heating (“fjärrvärme”) – common in cities and apartments

• Electric heating – common in newer homes

• Heat pumps (“värmepump”) – an energy-efficient and popular option

If you live in an apartment, district heating is usually included in the building fees or rent. For houses, you may need to register directly with your local utility.

Average costs:

• District heating: 800–1,500 SEK/month (€70–€135)

• Electric heating: varies depending on the home’s insulation and efficiency

Tips:

• Check whether heating is included in your rent (“värme ingår”).

• Use a smart thermostat to manage and monitor energy use.

Water and Waste

Water services in Sweden are managed by local municipalities. Tap water is exceptionally clean and safe to drink.

In most rented properties, water is included in your rent or housing fee. Homeowners must register with their local municipal water and waste company (“vatten och avfall”).

Documents required:

• Proof of address

• ID or personnummer

• Bank account details

Average costs:

• Around 200–400 SEK/month (€18–€35) for an average household

• Waste collection and sewage are typically billed together

Tips:

• Install water-saving taps and shower heads to reduce consumption.

• Most municipalities issue quarterly or biannual invoices based on meter readings.

Internet and Mobile Services

Sweden has one of the fastest and most reliable broadband networks in Europe. Fiber optic broadband (“fiber”) is widely available, and mobile coverage is strong nationwide.

Depending on your building, you may have access to a pre-installed network or choose your own provider.

Documents required:

• Personnummer or passport

• Proof of address

• Bank account or payment details

Average costs:

• Home internet: 300–600 SEK/month (€27–€55)

• Mobile plans: 200–400 SEK/month (€18–€35) for unlimited calls and large data allowances

Tips:

• Check availability in your area using Bredbandsval.se or Bredbandskollen.se.

• Consider bundle deals combining internet, TV, and mobile for better value.

• Prepaid SIM cards (“kontantkort”) are convenient for short stays.

General Tips for Managing Utilities in Sweden

• Apply for your personal number as early as possible, it is required for most contracts.

• Set up autogiro (direct debit) payments to avoid late fees.

• Monitor your electricity use with your provider’s online dashboard or app.

• Opt for e-faktura (electronic billing) for convenience.

• Confirm with your landlord or housing association which utilities are already included.

• Follow your municipality’s recycling and waste-sorting rules carefully, Sweden is strict about sustainability.

Wrapping Up

Setting up utilities in Sweden is straightforward once you understand the process. With the right documents and a bit of planning, you can have all essential services like electricity, water, heating, and internet, running within a few days.

Sweden’s systems are efficient, transparent, and environmentally focused, making it easy to live comfortably while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.

Whether you are moving for work, study, or family life, you will find Sweden’s infrastructure dependable and well-designed to support your new beginning.