Looking for British Expats in Sweden?

Is Sweden a good move for British expats? 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 British expats in Sweden wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• 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%.

• Good healthcare, education, and work-life balance. 82% rate healthcare affordability positively, and Britons praise free quality education, work-life balance, and strong social values.

• Everything works. Transport, systems, and admin run smoothly, 85% rate public transport positively and 51% find bureaucracy easy (vs. 38% globally).

• It's safe and easy to settle. Britons mention a strong sense of safety, and 60% get by fine in English.

• Locals are reserved and hard to befriend. Just 16% of expats in Sweden say making local friends is easy, which is the lowest kind of score in the survey and friendliness rates 45%.

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

• The culture can feel homogenous. Britons miss the banter and multiculturalism of home, and the local cuisine (65%) leaves some cold.

• Costs and careers disappoint. Living costs are high, and the local job market rates 32%.

For Britons, Sweden offers clean air, deep nature, great healthcare and education, and a balanced, well-run society. The catch is social and seasonal: reserved locals and long dark winters. Overall happiness (56%) sits below the global average of 70%.

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 British 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 Brits 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 Brits in Sweden, residing in Stockholm, Goteborg, Uppsala and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Brits in Stockholm or Brits in Gothenburg.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for British 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 United Kingdom 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 roast beef in Goteborg.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Sweden to get information on institutions from your home country, including the British embassy.

From the university towns of Umeå and Linköping to south-central Svealand, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly British 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 United Kingdom and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Brits living in Sweden!