Sweden

The kingdom of Sweden is the largest country in Scandinavia with a population of just 9 million people. The size of the country provides great climate and seasonal variations throughout the year.

A land of peace and tranquility with stunning scenery and wide open spaces; Sweden has one of the most extensive welfare systems in the world along with clean air and water and the unique right of common access. With very little in the way of industry or pollution you can be sure of benefiting from living in a clean, pure and peaceful environment.

Sweden in Brief:

Area: 450,000 km² (174,000 sq. mi.), third largest country in Western Europe
Forests: 53%
Mountains: 11%
Cultivated land: 8%
Lakes and rivers: 9%
Longest north-south distance: 1,574 km (978 miles)
Longest east-west distance: 499 km (310 miles)
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 9 million inhabitants
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
Parliament: The Riksdag, with 349 members in one chamber
Religion: 80% belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden
Average life expectancy: men 78 years, women 82 years
Main exports: Electrical, telecom, machinery, cars, paper, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel

Swedish Right to Public Access:

It is your responsibility to know about the: “The Right to Public Access is unique to Sweden”

In no other country in the world do people have as much freedom to roam freely. However, it is your duty to use your common sense and respect a few common rules so that generations of tomorrow will also be able to enjoy the same freedom. In short, don’t disturb the countryside. Don’t harm the animal or plant life. Don’t disturb animals or people, or destroy other people’s property. In other words, show consideration!

Buying property in Sweden:

The seller is responsible for giving the buyer as much information about the property as possible and the buyer is responsible for finding out as much as possible about the property
Agree a price and then contact "Lantmäteriet" (The land registration Authority.) They will write a "Köpebrev" which is a contract between buyer and seller. In this contract you describe the property, specify the price, when and how to pay and date of entry. This costs approx. 2000 sek (£150 / €200 euros)
If the property is more than 2 hectares the buyer has to ask for "förvärvstillstånd", this is also done at the "Lantmäteriet" and costs approx. 3.000 sek. (£240 / €330 euros)
The "Lantmäteriet" will then register the new ownership and the buyer gets a document called "Lagfart". The cost for this is 825 sek. (£65/ €90 euros) and a stamp duty, which is 1.5% of the purchase price. (Please note, if the property is sold furnished, deduct the cost of furniture, curtains, ornaments, rugs etc.)
Property Tax:
There is an annual property tax of approx. £200 / €275 euros.

Regarding Surveys:

Most house owners take out insurance with Anticimex (the Swedish equivalent of Rentokil) against wood-boring insects, dry/wet rot etc. To get this insurance the house has to pass a very rigorous inspection by Anticimex. The annual insurance premium is approx. £50 / €70 euros (with no excess)