Electricity, Internet and Mobile in Sweden: How to Set Everything Up

You have found a flat or house in Sweden – now you need electricity, internet and a Swedish phone number. That sounds simple, but there are a few quirks: your electricity contract comes in two parts, the price depends on where in Sweden you live, and not every contract is available without a personnummer.

Here is the overview, plus a checklist for moving in.

Elnät and elhandel: two contracts for your electricity

In Sweden, your electricity supply is split into two separate parts:

• Elnät (grid) – the grid operator delivers electricity to your home and measures your consumption. You cannot choose this company; it depends on where your home is. You pay a fixed grid fee plus a charge per kilowatt hour.
• Elhandel (electricity supply) – this is where you buy the actual electricity. You can choose your supplier freely.

According to Energimarknadsbyrån (the consumer information office for energy), you need to sign both contracts when you move in – it does not happen automatically. Ideally, sort this out a few working days before your move-in date.

If you don't choose a supplier, you will still have electricity: the grid operator assigns you an anvisat avtal (default contract). These are often more expensive, so switch to a contract of your choice as soon as possible.

In a rented flat, electricity is sometimes included in the rent. Ask when you sign the lease.

Price zones SE1 to SE4: why your location sets the price

Sweden is divided into four electricity price zones (elområden):

• SE1 – northern Sweden (e.g. Luleå)
• SE2 – north-central Sweden (e.g. Sundsvall)
• SE3 – central Sweden (e.g. Stockholm, Gothenburg)
• SE4 – southern Sweden (e.g. Malmö)

A lot of electricity is generated from hydropower in the north, but little is consumed there. That is why the wholesale price in SE1 and SE2 is usually much lower than in SE3 and SE4. In winter especially, prices in the south can fluctuate a lot. Your zone depends solely on your address – you cannot choose it.

Fixed, variable or hourly? The contract types

When it comes to your electricity supplier, these are the main options:

• Fast pris – a fixed price per kWh for the entire contract period (e.g. one or three years). Easy to plan for, but usually with a premium for the security.
• Rörligt pris – a variable price that follows the market and changes from month to month.
• Timpris or dynamic pricing – you pay the current spot price for the time you actually use the electricity. Since 1 October 2025, the spot price has been set in 15-minute intervals.

Our tip: A dynamic contract is especially worthwhile if you can shift your consumption – for example running the washing machine, dishwasher or charging an electric car at night. For every contract, check the monthly fixed fee and the supplier's mark-up (påslag) per kWh. You can compare offers on Energimarknadsbyrån's website.

Internet: broadband and fibre

Sweden is well ahead when it comes to fibre. In cities and many smaller towns, fiber is the standard.

• In many apartment buildings, internet is already included in the rent or provided through the housing cooperative – often you only choose the speed.
• Many towns have a stadsnät (open city network): you choose between several providers via a portal.
• If there is no fibre connection, getting one to a house can be expensive. Alternatives are mobilt bredband (internet via a 4G/5G router) or satellite internet.

You can measure your actual speed with Bredbandskollen, a service run by the non-profit Internetstiftelsen.

Mobile: operators and contracts

Sweden has four major network operators: Telia, Tele2, Telenor and Tre. There are also cheaper brands using their networks, such as Comviq, Halebop, Hallon or Vimla.

• For a contract (abonnemang) you usually need a personnummer, because the provider runs a credit check.
• Check network coverage where you live – there are big differences, especially in rural areas.
• Many providers offer contracts without a long minimum term.

If you are moving from another EU country, your home SIM card will work in Sweden thanks to EU roaming, but it is not meant for permanent use. Providers may charge extra for long stays. You will also soon need a Swedish number for BankID and many authorities.

Prepaid without a personnummer: the kontantkort

As long as you don't have a personnummer, a prepaid SIM card (kontantkort) is the easiest solution. Important: according to PTS (the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority), all prepaid cards must be registered before you can use them.

Without a personnummer, this is how it works:

1. Buy a kontantkort in a supermarket, kiosk or online.
2. Register with a foreign ID: Comviq allows this online via video identification or at Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven and Circle K with a passport, national ID card or driving licence. Telia can help you in a Telia shop.
3. Top up your credit and you're ready to go.

Once you have your personnummer, you can usually switch your number to a contract or take it to another provider.

In your own house: water, sewage and waste

If you live in your own house (villa), you will get further bills that are usually included in the rent for a flat:

• VA (vatten och avlopp) – water and sewage via the municipality. You pay a fixed fee plus a consumption-based charge.
• Private well and enskilt avlopp – common in the countryside. Have your water quality tested regularly. The septic tank must be emptied regularly (slamtömning), which the municipality organises for a fee.
• Sophämtning (waste collection) – also via the municipality. Since 1 January 2024, separating food waste (matavfall) has been mandatory throughout Sweden. Packaging is sorted into paper, plastic, metal and glass.
• Sotning – if you have a fireplace or wood stove, a chimney sweep checks the fire safety regularly on behalf of the municipality.

Check your municipality's website to see how waste collection and fees work where you live – it varies from place to place.

Checklist for moving in

• Sign a grid contract with the local grid operator
• Choose an electricity supplier before you move in (avoid the anvisat avtal!)
• Check your address's price zone and choose a contract type
• Find out whether internet is included in the rent or cooperative fee
• Buy and register a kontantkort
• Once you have your personnummer: set up a mobile contract and BankID
• In a house: sort out water, waste collection and septic emptying with the municipality

Our conclusion

Electricity, internet and mobile are quick to set up in Sweden once you know the quirks: two electricity contracts, four price zones and mandatory registration for prepaid cards. Sign your electricity contract in good time before moving in, start with a registered kontantkort and switch to a contract as soon as you have your personnummer. That way you are well connected from day one.