Stockholm is built on 14 islands, surrounded by water and forest. It has one of the highest qualities of life in Europe. It’s also a city where a removal needs careful planning: narrow cobbled streets in Gamla Stan, a competitive housing market, strict environmental zones and long, dark winters. Here are our practical tips for moving to Stockholm from the UK in 2026.
1. Check your residence permit before you book
UK nationals can visit Sweden for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. To live in Stockholm, you need a residence permit, for example for work, study or to join family. Apply to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), and read the GOV.UK guide to living in Sweden first. Leave plenty of time, because permits can take a while.
2. Register with Skatteverket
If you plan to stay for 12 months or more, GOV.UK says you need to register with the Swedish population register at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This gives you a personnummer (personal identity number). You’ll need it for almost everything in Sweden: a bank account, a phone contract, healthcare and even some shop loyalty cards. Book your visit as soon as you arrive.
There’s good news for drivers too. GOV.UK says you can drive in Sweden on a valid UK licence until it expires, and there’s no time limit for exchanging it.
3. Start your flat hunt early
Stockholm’s housing market is famously tight. Most new arrivals start with a second-hand rental (andrahandskontrakt) while they look for something longer term. Always view the property or speak to the landlord properly before you pay, and make sure the sublet has been approved. Once you have a moving date and an address, book your removal. Popular months fill up quickly.
4. Plan access for Gamla Stan and the islands
The old town, Gamla Stan, has narrow cobbled lanes where large vehicles can’t go. Much of central Stockholm has limited parking. Stockholm also has environmental zones (miljözoner) with rules for heavier vehicles. If your van needs to stop on the street for a long time, you may need permission for the space, so check with the City of Stockholm.
Our team has driven the streets of Stockholm ourselves. When you move with MoveDay Removals, we plan the right vehicle and access for your address before moving day.
5. Get the customs paperwork right
Since Brexit, household goods going from the UK to Sweden cross an EU customs border. EU rules generally let you bring your personal belongings in without import duty if you’re moving your normal residence to Sweden. You usually need to have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and to have owned and used your goods for at least 6 months. Check the details with Swedish Customs (Tullverket), keep a full inventory, and read our UK Customs Guide 2026. If you’d rather not deal with the forms yourself, our customs team can do it for you.
6. Choose your neighbourhood
- Södermalm: creative, lively and full of cafés, with great views over the water.
- Östermalm: elegant and central, with grand blocks of flats.
- Vasastan and Kungsholmen: residential, central and popular with young professionals.
- Hammarby Sjöstad: modern waterside flats with an eco-friendly design.
- Bromma and Solna: quieter and greener, with good schools. Popular with families.
7. Be ready for winter
Winter in Stockholm brings short days, snow and ice. If you’re moving between November and March, allow extra time on moving day, protect your floors from wet boots, and keep warm clothes and a torch in your essentials box. Summer moves are easier, but they’re also the busiest time of year, so book early.
Moving to Stockholm? We can help
MoveDay Removals moves families and businesses across the UK and Europe, including Scandinavia, and we can take care of the customs paperwork too. Get a free quote today.
Website: https://movedayremovals.com
Phone: 07378 626882
Email: office@movedayremovals.co.uk
This article is general guidance, correct as of September 2026. Rules and requirements can change, so always check the latest information on GOV.UK and with the Swedish authorities before you move.