Every year, thousands of researchers come to Stockholm — postdocs, visiting professors, sabbatical scholars, PhD collaborators. KTH, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm University are world-class institutions that attract global talent.
What those institutions don't always communicate clearly: finding housing is your responsibility, and the market is brutal.
We've hosted dozens of visiting researchers in our rooms near Stockholm. This guide reflects what they wish they'd known before arriving.
The University Housing Reality
All three major universities offer some form of guest housing. None of them guarantee it. Here's the honest picture:
🏛️ KTH — Royal Institute of Technology
- What they offer: Furnished rooms and shared apartments on KTH campus (Brinellvägen, Drottning Kristinas väg, Teknikringen)
- Contract length: 2–12 months
- Apply how early: 3–6 months before arrival (they recommend 6)
- The catch: Demand far exceeds supply. Not guaranteed. No pet policy. Limited family-sized apartments.
- Who's eligible: International visiting researchers not employed by KTH
🏥 Karolinska Institutet
- What they offer: KI Housing — 408 rooms at KI Residence Solna (opened 2021), furnished, on campus
- Contract length: Up to 1 year, extension up to 9 additional months
- Apply how early: As soon as possible — even before you have all documents
- The catch: High demand. Wenner-Gren Foundation apartments have a 30-month wait list.
- Who's eligible: International researchers and students at KI
🎓 Stockholm University
- What they offer: ~100 furnished apartments in Frescati, Kräftriket, and central Stockholm
- Contract length: 3–12 months, extendable to 2 years
- Rent: 8,000–17,500 SEK/month (includes utilities and internet)
- Processing time: 2–6 months (!)
- The catch: Only 100 apartments for all visiting researchers. Peak demand Aug–Sep and January.
- Who's eligible: International visiting researchers at 50%+ research activity
When University Housing Doesn't Work Out
If you apply too late, have family, or need something different — you're in the open market. Stockholm's rental market is notoriously difficult:
⚠️ Stockholm Housing Market — Key Facts
- Bostadsförmedlingen (public housing queue): Average wait 7–11 years. Requires a personal number.
- Wenner-Gren Foundation: Furnished apartments for PhD+ researchers — 30-month wait list.
- Subletting: Common but temporary. Swedish law limits contract duration. Check Qasa.se and Blocket.
- Scam risk: Always meet the landlord in person, view the apartment, and only transfer money to Swedish bank accounts.
What Researchers Actually Need
We've hosted visiting researchers from Max Planck, CNRS, MIT, and various European universities. Here's what they need — and what university housing often doesn't provide:
| Requirement | Uni Housing | Our Rooms |
|---|---|---|
| High-speed internet | WiFi (varies) | 1 Gbps fiber + Cat-6 Ethernet |
| Dedicated workspace | Desk in room | Separate workspace + 4K monitor |
| Kitchen | Often shared corridor | Full kitchen (dishwasher, oven) |
| Laundry | Shared basement | In-house machines |
| Quiet environment | Student corridor | Residential villa |
| Flexibility | Min 2–3 months | Any duration |
| Arriving with partner | Limited/wait list | Multiple rooms available |
| Cost | 8,000–17,500 SEK/mo | 5,900–7,500 SEK/mo |
Commute from Täby to Stockholm Universities
Our rooms are in Täby, a residential suburb north of Stockholm. Here are the realistic commute times by public transit (SL):
| University / Campus | Transit Time | Route |
|---|---|---|
| KTH Main Campus | ~35 min | Bus → T-bana (red line) → Tekniska Högskolan |
| KI Solna Campus | ~40 min | Bus → T-bana → Solna station |
| KI Flemingsberg | ~55 min | Pendeltåg via T-Centralen |
| Stockholm University (Frescati) | ~35 min | Bus → T-bana → Universitetet |
| SciLifeLab | ~40 min | Bus → T-bana → Solna |
| Danderyds Sjukhus | ~15 min | Direct bus |
Commuting 30–40 minutes is standard in Stockholm, even for people who live centrally. Most of our researcher guests tell us the quiet, spacious environment more than compensates for the commute.
Funding & What Your Institution Covers
Accommodation allowances vary enormously between institutions and funding bodies. We don't quote specific amounts because they change frequently and differ by position. Instead, here's where to check:
📋 Where to Find Your Housing Allowance
- Your grant agreement — Check the "subsistence" or "living costs" line item. Many EU grants (Marie Curie, ERC) include a mobility allowance.
- Your home institution's HR — Ask specifically about "sabbatical housing stipend" or "visiting researcher per diem."
- The host department — Some departments have discretionary funds. Ask your contact person.
- Swedish Institute scholarships — If you're from a qualifying country: si.se/scholarships
- Wenner-Gren Foundations — Guest researcher grants for researchers holding a PhD: swgc.org
Pro tip from our guests: Many researchers discover their institution will reimburse Airbnb accommodation if they provide a proper receipt and invoice. We provide receipts for all stays.
Checklist: Before You Arrive
- ☐ Apply for university housing immediately (even before visa approval)
- ☐ Check your grant/institution housing allowance
- ☐ Book temporary accommodation for first 2–4 weeks (in case university housing isn't ready)
- ☐ Apply for Swedish personal number (Skatteverket) — needed for bank account, pharmacy, etc.
- ☐ Get an SL travel card (monthly pass ~970 SEK)
- ☐ Open a Swedish bank account after personal number
- ☐ Join your department's social/lunch groups — your best source for housing tips
Need a base while you sort out long-term housing?
Our rooms in Täby offer fiber internet, a quiet workspace, kitchen, and sauna — from 5,900 SEK/month. No minimum stay. Perfect as your first landing pad or for the full duration of a sabbatical.