Looking for Australian Expats in Sweden?

Is Sweden a good move for Australians? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Australian expats in Sweden wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there. This is a small sample, so read it as a friendly snapshot rather than the last word.

• Nature and clean air are everywhere. 96% of expats in Sweden rate the natural environment positively and 91% air quality, against a global average of 65%.

• Everything works. Australians praise a user-friendly, well-run society, with 51% finding bureaucracy easy (vs. 38% globally) and 85% rating public transport positively.

• Healthcare and the economy are strong. 82% rate healthcare affordability positively and 76% the state of the economy.

• The outdoor lifestyle appeals. Easy access to nature and a strong outdoor culture draw praise, and 60% get by fine in English.

• Locals can feel cold and closed. Making local friends is very hard — just 16% of expats in Sweden say it's easy, against 39% globally.

• Winters are long and dark. Only 39% rate the climate and weather positively, and the darkness is a real adjustment.

• Careers and ageism concern people. Just 32% rate the local job market positively, and Australians mention how hard it is to find work over 40.

• Costs and food. Living costs are high, and the local cuisine (65%) leaves some cold.

For Australians, Sweden offers clean air, deep nature, and a well-run, user-friendly society. The catch is social and seasonal: reserved locals and long dark winters. Overall happiness (56%) sits below the global average, so with a small sample, treat this as a snapshot.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Australian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in Sweden is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Australians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Swedish way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Australians in Sweden, residing in Stockholm, Goteborg, Uppsala and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Australians in Stockholm or Australians in Gothenburg.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Australian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Swedish InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Australia in Sweden.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Sweden Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get vegemite in Goteborg.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Sweden to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Australian embassy.

From the university towns of Umeå and Linköping to south-central Svealand, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Australian expats in Sweden.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Sweden. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Swedish köttbullar, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Stockholm’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see Malmö's Turning Torso, the tallest structure in Scandinavia as well as other beautiful landmarks in Sweden.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Australia and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Australians living in Sweden!