Every year, thousands of international employees arrive in Stockholm on corporate assignments. French engineers at Transdev. American managers at Costco. German consultants at engineering firms. Japanese executives at automotive suppliers. The common thread: your company brought you here, gave you a start date, and left the housing problem mostly to you.
Most end up in a bland serviced apartment in Kista or central Stockholm, paying 15,000–25,000 SEK/month for a studio with hotel-quality WiFi and a microwave. There's a much better option.
Why Expats Are Moving to Täby
Täby is a residential municipality 15 km north of Stockholm. It's where Swedish families live when they want space, nature, and good schools — but still need to commute to the city. Increasingly, it's also where smart expats end up.
What Täby Offers That the City Center Doesn't
- Villa neighborhoods — Actual houses with gardens, not apartment blocks. Trees, birds, space to breathe.
- Safety — One of Sweden's safest municipalities. Families leave bikes unlocked.
- International schools — Internationella Engelska Skolan and others nearby.
- Nature at your doorstep — Forests, lakes (Rösjön for swimming), jogging trails everywhere.
- Costco Arninge — Sweden's only Costco, 10 min away. American brands, bulk shopping.
- Arninge Business Park — Growing commercial area with international companies.
- Täby Centrum — Massive shopping mall with 200+ stores, restaurants, cinema.
- Lower cost — Accommodation costs 30–50% less than equivalent in central Stockholm.
Global Companies with Employees in Stockholm
Stockholm is home to hundreds of international corporations that rotate staff globally. If your company is on this list (or similar), you're exactly who this guide is for:
| Company | Origin | Stockholm Role |
|---|---|---|
| Transdev | 🇫🇷 France | Major public transport operator — buses, trains, boats across Sweden |
| Costco | 🇺🇸 USA | First Scandinavian warehouse store, Arninge Täby |
| Securitas | 🇸🇪 (global) | Global HQ in Stockholm — 44 markets, international staff |
| Veolia | 🇫🇷 France | Water, waste, energy management across Sweden |
| Ericsson | 🇸🇪 (global) | HQ in Kista — international R&D and management teams |
| Teledyne FLIR | 🇺🇸 USA | IR cameras and defense optics, ~500 staff in Täby |
| Mycronic | 🇸🇪 (global) | Semiconductor equipment, global HQ in Täby |
| Piab Group | 🇸🇪 (global) | Automation tech, HQ in Danderyd |
The Expat Housing Problem
Corporate relocation packages vary wildly. Some companies give you a generous housing allowance. Others give you a hotel for 2 weeks and a "good luck." Either way, you face these challenges:
⚠️ Why Finding a Place Is Hard
- No personnummer: Takes 2–8 weeks. Without it, you can't sign a regular lease, open a bank account, or get a phone contract.
- The queue system: Stockholm's public housing queue averages 7–11 years. This is not an option for you.
- Serviced apartments: Available but extremely expensive (15,000–25,000 SEK/month for a studio). Fine for a week, painful for 6 months.
- Subletting: Legally limited in Sweden. Landlords can only sublet for specific reasons and limited periods.
- Scam risk: International newcomers are prime targets. Never pay before viewing. Never send money via Western Union. Always verify the landlord owns the property.
The Smart Approach to Expat Housing
Phase 1: First 1–4 Weeks (Immediate)
Book furnished accommodation before you arrive. Don't rely on finding something after landing. Options:
- Airbnb monthly stays (best value for furnished)
- Private rooms in residential villas (like ours)
- Serviced apartments (expensive but zero hassle)
Phase 2: Months 2–6 (Getting Settled)
Once you have your personnummer and understand the city, you can either:
- Stay where you are (if it works and the price is right)
- Search for a sublet via Qasa (verified platform)
- Ask colleagues — word of mouth is the #1 way to find housing in Sweden
- Check company relocation services — some have partnerships with housing providers
Phase 3: 6+ Months (Long-Term)
If your assignment extends, consider:
- Buying (yes, some expats buy apartments — the mortgage system is favorable if your company supports it)
- Bostadsrätt (tenant-owner apartment) — the Swedish co-op model
- Longer subletting contracts (rare but possible)
Commuting from Täby
| Destination | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Costco Arninge | ~10 min | Car or bus |
| Kista (Ericsson, etc.) | ~25 min | Bus + metro |
| Solna / Arenastaden | ~30 min | Bus + metro |
| T-Centralen (city) | ~35 min | Bus + metro |
| Danderyds Sjukhus | ~15 min | Direct bus |
| Arlanda Airport | ~25 min | Car via E4 |
What Expats Actually Need From Housing
Based on the international employees we've hosted:
- Move-in ready — Furnished, equipped kitchen, bedding, towels. You arrive with a suitcase.
- Fast internet — Video calls to headquarters in Paris, New York, or Tokyo. You need real fiber, not hotel WiFi.
- Invoicing/receipts — Your company needs proper documentation for the housing allowance. We provide this.
- Flexible duration — Corporate assignments change. 3 months becomes 6, or gets cut to 2. No penalty for changes.
- Quiet environment — After navigating a new job in a new country in a new language, you want to come home to peace.
- Someone who speaks English — Your landlord should understand "the heating isn't working" without Google Translate.
Swedish Culture — Quick Expat Survival Tips
- Shoes off indoors. Always. Even at dinner parties. Bring indoor shoes to the office.
- Fika isn't optional. Coffee + pastry at 10:00 and 15:00. This is where workplace relationships happen.
- Lagom means "just right." Not too much, not too little. Apply to opinions, volume, and portion sizes.
- Swedes are not cold. They're reserved with strangers. Once you're in, you're in for life. Join a hobby group.
- Alcohol is government-controlled. Systembolaget is the only place to buy wine/beer/spirits. Closes early on Saturday, closed Sunday.
- January is dark. 6 hours of daylight. Buy a SAD lamp. Take vitamin D. Go outside at lunch even if it's -10°C.
- Summer is extraordinary. 20+ hours of daylight. Midsommar. Swimming in clean lakes. This is when you fall in love with Sweden.
Relocating to Stockholm?
Our villa in Täby has furnished rooms for international employees. 1 Gbps fiber, full kitchen, workspace, laundry, sauna, garden. 10 minutes from Costco, 25 from Kista, 35 from city center. From 5,900 SEK/month. We provide proper invoices for company reimbursement.