Housing queues in Stockholm.
Stockholm is Sweden's capital and largest city. The rental market is dominated by Bostadsförmedlingen — a centralized exchange handling ~190 000 apartments across 24 municipalities in the Stockholm region. Queue times for central apartments are the longest in Sweden: 15-25 years for prime locations like Vasastan, Östermalm and Södermalm. Outer areas like Tensta, Rinkeby and Skärholmen go faster (5-10 years).
Primary housing queue
Bostadsförmedlingen i Stockholm
Apartments: ~190 000 apartments
Queue time: 15-25 years for central, 5-10 for outer areas
Visit official site →Student housing
Other queues to register with
- Sigtunahem (Märsta) · ~5 200 · Visit →
- Telge Bostäder (Södertälje) · ~6 000 · Visit →
- Botkyrkabyggen · ~10 600 · Visit →
- Huge Bostäder (Huddinge) · ~8 000 · Visit →
- Heimstaden (private) · Various · Visit →
Practical advice for Stockholm
For expats moving to Stockholm: register with Bostadsförmedlingen on day one (230 SEK/year). Build queue points while staying in temporary accommodation. Consider commuter municipalities (Sigtuna, Botkyrka, Södertälje, Huddinge) for shorter queues with 30-45 min commute to central Stockholm. Rent control means central apartments are scarce — many internationals end up in second-hand contracts initially.
FAQ
Can I get an apartment in Stockholm without queue points?
Realistically: only through second-hand contracts (andrahandskontrakt), short-term sublets (3-12 months), or by paying significantly above-market rent. Some private landlords (Heimstaden, Wallenstam) have shorter queues, but high demand for any rental in central Stockholm.
How long does the SSSB student queue take?
Corridor rooms: 6-12 months for accepted students. Student studios: 1-3 years. Larger student apartments: 3-5 years. Apply the same day you accept your university admission — points count in days.
What does Bostadsförmedlingen cost?
230 SEK/year (2025). Mandatory to accumulate queue points. Free to register but you must pay yearly.