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Sweden's rental system is making finding an apartment harder

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Christian Blenker
February 24, 2026

Sweden's regulated rental system ensures affordable housing. However, with housing in short supply, especially in large cities, it's not uncommon to wait more than 20 years to get an apartment.

Sweden's strict rental system aims to keep housing affordable, but in Stockholm, demand far exceeds supply. Elvira Törnberg struggles with high costs, long waitlists and an unregulated private market. While many Swedes turn to buying property despite fluctuating interest rates, for Törnberg, even securing a central rental remains uncertain.

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