How to become a digital nomad in Sweden
Sweden, the largest of the Nordic countries, is more than Abba, Ikea, and meatballs. Ranking in the top ten of UN's World Happiness Report, there is something about Sweden that makes its residents content with life — and a myriad of digital nomads are flocking to the country to find out its secret.
Why Sweden
Sweden is a member of the European Union and a member state of the Schengen Zone, which makes travel to and from the country convenient.
Despite being a strong economically-developed country, Sweden has managed to preserve a quaint small town feel, appreciated both by expats and digital nomads. The country boasts some of the world's highest internet speeds and excellent connectivity, and finding a shared loft or renting a coworking space would not be an issue at all.
Best cities to work from
Stockholm is Sweden's largest city and capital city. It's also the first choice of the location-free to explore and work from. One of the reasons Stockholm is attracting travellers and nomads is its air quality, which is one of the best in Europe. With that, Stockholm has all the amenities one would expect from a capital city. The city boasts an interesting landscape with over 30% of its territory covered in waterways and bridges, and an abundance of green areas and parks makes it an especially relaxing space.
The second largest city in the country is Gothenburg, situated at the outlet of the Göta river. Gothenburg is a university city, and Gothenburg University is the largest in Scandinavia. With it, comes the lively atmosphere, a good infrastructure, and walkability. Here, you will easily be able to enjoy a long walk down the city's peaceful streets after a working session or hop on a tram to get to one of the many events regularly taking place downtown.
The internet and coworking spaces
Sweden has some of the world's fastest internet speeds with the average of 20.6Mbps across the country. There are many Wi-Fi hotspots, some free and some paid. Naturally, you will find quick and easy internet access in local coffee shops, cafes and restaurants, paired with delightful local cuisine.
Most cities in Sweden offer convenient coworking facilities, and you will easily find a place to work from with all the trimmings: open space, fast internet connection, good coffee, and networking opportunities.
Coworking spaces in Stockholm
Knackeriet, Svartmangatan 9
Impact Hub, Luntmakargatan 25
United Spaces, Klarabergsviadukten 63
Coworking spaces in Gothenburg
HIVE Workspace, Östra Larmgatan 16
Nomad Inn Coworking Space, Norra Ãgatan 10b
Leisure in Sweden
Sweden offers a quiet and relaxed lifestyle, but there are a lot of places to explore when time allows. There is a myriad of historical museums such as Skansen open-air museum, Vasa Museum (on a 17th-century ship), and Stockholm Palace. Sweden's pristine nature is well-represented in the Abisko National Park, and a ride over the Ãresund Bridge grants fabulous views.
What to know before arriving
As a member state of the Schengen Zone, Sweden is easy to visit and work from. If you are a resident of a country that is also a member state of the Schengen Zone, you can travel with your National Identity Card. Alternatively, you can apply for a Schengen Visa prior to your travels and enjoy access to other countries in the region.
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