Living Expenses in Sweden for Indian Students
Indian students who want to pursue study programs in Sweden find diverse, comfortable living options to stay in the country.
Managing the cost of living on its own for Indian students can be challenging, but it can be done with appropriate assistance.
We have presented a detailed blog on the cost of living in Sweden, including Sweden’s average cost of living and its different components. It will guide you in spending your expenses intelligently and without any hassle.
- Cost of Living in Sweden: Introduction
- Average Living Expenses in Sweden for Indian Students
- Affordable Cities in Sweden
- Cost of Living in Sweden: Accommodation Rent
- Average Cost of Study in Sweden for International Students
- Health Insurance for Indian Students in Sweden
- Living Expenses in Sweden: Top Cities
- Tips to Cut Living Expenses in Sweden
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Cost of Living in Sweden: Introduction
Living expenses, or the cost of living, are the finances required to sustain and maintain minimum living standards.
The Cost of Living in Sweden generally includes house rent, food bills, transportation charges, utility bills like electricity, gas, phone bills, laundry, etc.
Sweden is the 5th biggest country in Europe, with a growing infrastructure, modern technology, and a supportive ecosystem that helps international students live comfortably.
Here, we will briefly discuss the living expenses in Sweden, including average expenses, the cost of essential services such as accommodation, meals, transportation, health insurance, tips to reduce unnecessary costs, and more.
Average Living Expenses in Sweden for Indian Students
The cost of living in Sweden can depend on factors such as city lifestyle preferences, local taxes, etc. A monthly budget of between 8,000-14,000 SEK per month (INR 62,000 to 1 Lakh) is sufficient to sustain comfortably in the country. Apart from these costs, tuition fees for pursuing courses are also considered separately.
Below is the table that enlists the general breakdown of the cost of living for Indian students in Sweden.
| Expenses | Estimated Expenses |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 4400-8000 SEK (INR 34,000-62,000) |
| Food | 1500-2700 SEK (INR 11,000-27,000) |
| Transportation | 300-800 SEK (INR 2,000-6,000) |
| Amusement/Leisure | 1000-1600 SEK (INR 7,000-12,000) |
| Utilities Bills (Electricity, Water, Phone bills, etc.) | 200-400 SEK (INR 2,100-4,000) |
Affordable Cities in Sweden
We have listed below the affordable cities in Sweden for Indian students and their average monthly cost of living.
| Cities | Average Cost of Living (per month) |
|---|---|
| Växjö | SEK 8,000 – 9,000 (INR 62,000-70000) |
| Örebro | SEK 8,000 – 10,000 (INR 62,000-72,000) |
| Karlstad | SEK 8,500 – 10,000 (INR 62,500-72,000) |
| Uppsala | SEK 8,500 – 10,500 (INR 62,000-72,500) |
| Linköping | SEK 9,000 – 11,000 (INR 63,000-73,000) |
| Lund | SEK 9,000 – 11,000 (INR 63,000-73,000) |
Also read – How to Find the Perfect Study Abroad Program
Cost of Living in Sweden: Accommodation Rent
Indian students in Sweden find ‘house hunting’ not difficult if they follow appropriate guidelines provided by authorities. Swedish universities play a significant role in providing suitable accommodation to incoming students without any stress. This prevents students from falling into the trap of scammers, unauthorised persons, or agencies.
Accommodation costs in Sweden may vary according to location, accommodation type, size of house requirements, etc. It is the wisest approach to start searching for accommodation when the student gets an acceptance letter from the university.
Below, we present a table to showcase the type of accommodation and the average rent in Sweden.
| Type of Accommodation | Cost of Accommodation (per month) |
|---|---|
| Student Dormitories | 2,500-5000 SEK (INR 19,000-39,000) |
| Shared Apartments | 3,000-6,000 SEK (INR 23,000-47,000) |
| Studio Apartments | 5,000-9,000 SEK (INR 39,000-70,000) |
| One bedroom apartment | 8,000-12,000 SEK (INR 62,000-94,000) |
Average Cost of Study in Sweden for International Students
Swedish universities offer diverse academic programs at very cost-effective fees, leading to certification in bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD courses.
The cost of study in Sweden for international students depends on the type of course and university they choose.
However, the average tuition fee in Sweden for international students ranges from 11,000-350,000 SEK or INR 86,000-23 Lakh per year.
| University | QS World Rankings (2024) | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 73 | 342,000-350,000 SEK |
| Lund University | 85 | 145,000-400,000 SEK |
| Uppsala University | 105 | 100,000-250,000 SEK |
| Stockholm University | 118 | 90,000-140,000 SEK |
| Chalmers University of Technology | 129 | 300,000-320,000 SEK |
| University of Gothenburg | 187 | 11,000-100,000 SEK |
| Linköping University | 268 | 80,000-140,000 SEK |
| Umea University | 465 | 93,000-354,000 SEK |
Also read – Masters Abroad Top Courses Universities
Health Insurance for Indian Students in Sweden
The eligibility for health insurance in Sweden depends on several factors, including the length of stay and country of origin. The following is an overview of health insurance for Indian students in Sweden.
Indian students studying in Sweden for longer than a year are entitled to the same health benefits as Swedish citizens.
They first need to register at their tax office and then obtain a personal identity number (or “personnummer” in Swedish) as soon as they arrive in Sweden.
The application procedure can take some time to complete.
The premium of health insurance depends on the type of policy, which ranges from 197-310 SEK or INR 1,548-2,437 per day.
Living Expenses in Sweden: Top Cities
The following is an overview of Sweden’s major cities’ average cost of living. It includes the cost of accommodation, transportation, meals, and tourist attractions.
| City | Accommodation (per month) | Transportation (per month) | Meals (per month) | Utilities (per month) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | 10,000 - 18,000 SEK (INR 78,000-14 Lakh) | 800 - 1,200 SEK (INR 6,000-9,000) | 3,500 - 6,000 SEK (INR 13,000-15,000) | 800 - 1,500 SEK (INR 3,500-11,000) | 15,100-26,700 SEK (INR 11-20 Lakh) |
| Gothenburg | 8,000 - 15,000 SEK (INR 62,000-11 Lakh) | 600 - 1,000 SEK (INR 4,000-11,000) | 3,000 - 5,500 SEK (INR 23,000-39,000) | 700 - 1,200 SEK (INR 5,000-12,000) | 12,300-38,700 SEK (INR 96,000-30 Lakh) |
| Malmo | 7,000 - 13,000 SEK (INR 54,000-1 Lakh) | 600 - 1,000 SEK (INR 4,000-7,000) | 2,500 - 4,500 SEK (INR 19,000-45,000) | 700 - 1,200 SEK (INR 5,000-9,000) | 10.800-19,700 SEK (INR 84,000-15 Lakh) |
| Uppsala | 6,000 - 12,000 SEK (INR 47,000-94,000) | 500 - 800 SEK (INR 3,000-6,000) | 2,500 - 4,500 SEK (INR 19,000-45,000) | 600 - 1,000 SEK (INR 4,000-8,000) | 9,600-18,300 SEK (INR 75,000-14 Lakh) |
| Lund | 7,000 - 13,000 SEK (INR 54,000-1 Lakh) | 500 - 800 SEK (INR 3,000-6,000) | 2,500 - 4,500 SEK (INR 19,000-45,000) | 600 - 1,000 SEK (INR 4,000-8,000) | 10,600-19,300 SEK (INR 83,000-15 Lakh) |
Tips to Cut Living Expenses in Sweden
The following are some general tips for Indian students in Sweden to reduce unnecessary expenses:
- Choose to stay in a student house or shared apartment to cut the cost of accommodation.
- Preparing a weekly or monthly budget can be beneficial in order to track and maintain the expenses.
- Part-time job options can also be explored to reduce unnecessary expenses and also for the betterment of the skills.
Conclusion
Managing the cost of living, which includes various components like accommodation costs, travel fares, meal bills, electricity and water usage bills, etc., is a significant aspect of a student’s life. It not only prepares students to become socially and economically independent but also instills the qualities of resilience and decision-making ability.
Indian students pursuing their academic programs in foreign countries like Sweden need to develop such abilities for the holistic and comprehensive development of their personalities.
FAQs
Is Sweden good for Indians to settle?
After completing their studies, Indian students find various benefits to returning to Sweden. A peaceful environment, a diverse and multicultural community, and a developed economy are a few of the factors that attract new international graduates to settle in the country.
What is the average salary for part-time jobs in Sweden?
The average pay for a part-time job in Sweden for students is between 8,000-10,000 SEK or INR 62,000-78,000 per month. The salary depends on the type of job and also on the number of hours dedicated to the work by a student.
Are vegetarian meals available in Sweden for Indian students?
Students pursuing various academic programs in Sweden can easily manage their meals. Almost every Swedish restaurant provides vegetarian meals as an optional item for the meat products they serve. Students can also cook food independently in their homestays.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
