For citizens of the European Union, studies in Sweden are free of charge.
Students usually spend around 700 SEK per month on academic literature. However, many manage to get books much cheaper, as book sales are often organized with significantly lower prices.
Financial support for working students
The Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN – Centrala Studiestödsnämnden) offers a support system available to all EU students working in Sweden, provided they meet certain requirements:
- You must work at least 10 hours per week;
- The job must last continuously for at least 10 weeks;
- The work must be regular and legal.
Important! If necessary, you may be required to provide a work contract, payslips, or other documents as proof.
The financial support consists of two main components:
- Grant (Bidrag), which amounts to approximately 3300 SEK (290 EUR) per month. This support does not need to be repaid.
- Loan (Lån), which can be borrowed up to 7500 SEK (660 EUR) per month. This amount must be repaid after completing your studies in small monthly installments, along with low interest.
How to apply for financial support?
- Obtain a Swedish personal identity number (Personnummer): Once in Sweden, you’ll need to register at the Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This is a necessary step to access services such as CSN support or housing allowance.
- Have a steady job: Make sure your job meets the minimum work hours requirement. The job can be part-time, but it must be regular and legal.
- Prepare the required documents: These include your ID or passport, employment contract or pay slips, proof of university enrollment, and your Swedish personal identity number.
- Apply for CSN support: Submit your application through the CSN website.
- Keep track of the income threshold (Fribelopp): Pay attention to the income limits set by CSN. If your earnings exceed this limit, your financial support may be reduced.
Additional notes:
- Academic requirements: In order to continue receiving support, it is important to attend at least 50% of your lectures and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Loan repayment: Repayment begins six months after completing or discontinuing your studies. Repayments are made in small monthly installments along with low interest.
- Housing allowance (Bostadsbidrag): Students aged 18–28 can apply for this benefit. The amount depends on your income and housing costs. Applications must be submitted through the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).
General expenses
Here are a few tables to help you understand the approximate cost of living in Sweden. Keep in mind that the figures shown are only estimates, so your actual expenses may differ. This depends on your personal needs, the city you will live in, the type of accommodation you find, where you buy your groceries, and so on.
Average monthly expenses | Price in Euros | Price in Swedish Krona |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 250-700 | 2,850-7,970 |
| Food and beverages | 150-250 | 1,500-3,000 |
| Phone | 30-40 | 357-477 |
| Transport | 40-60 | 455-685 |
| Other expenses (leisure, clothing, unexpected costs) | 50-200 | 570-2,280 |
| Total per month | 520-1,250 | 5,732-14,412 |
Product | Quantity | Price in Euros |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | 500 g | 2.27 |
| Eggs | 12 pcs | 4.19 |
| Flour | 1 kg | 1.65 |
| Pasta | 1 kg | 1.36 |
| Rice | 1 kg | 2.52 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | 2.33 |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 9.10 |
| Butter | 250 g | 1.83 |
| Chicken fillet | 1 kg | 8.99 |
| Ground pork | 500 g | 8.50 |
| Yogurt | 1 kg | 1.50 |
| Cereal | 500 g | 1.77 |
| Coffee | 500 g | 6.80 |
| Milk | 1 l | 1.17 |
| Juice | 1 l | 1.80 |
| Local beer | 0.5 l | 1.75 |
| Sugar | 1 kg | 1.40 |
| Salt | 1 kg | 0.80 |
The food prices listed are average estimates. Depending on the store you choose to shop at, some product prices may be higher or lower. Many students prefer to shop during discount periods or buy different products at different stores after comparing prices – that way, they manage to save money.
