Welcome to Stockholm
Here is some useful information to help you relocate to Stockholm for your Master's Program.
Stockholm is like no other city
It combines urban buzz with huge parks and clean, swimmable water. We’re pretty sure you’ll love living here, for its long summer nights, archipelago and friendly people. You may even learn to love the Swedish winters, with all the snowmen, fairy lights, and ice skating. Despite being the largest city in Scandinavia, Stockholm has a small-town feeling. You can find the official guide to Stockholm here.
Sweden is generally a very comfortable and stable country to live in and almost all of the government websites are available in English. This means that it can be quite easy to navigate living in Sweden compared to many other countries.
There are many resources on moving to Stockholm as well as studying in Sweden. Check out the links below as a starting point!
In this guide:
- check The Hyper Island Campus
- check Program Schedule and IRP
- check Accommodation
- check Public Transport
- check Healthcare for International Students
- check Cost of Living and Banking
- check Important Numbers
- check Residence Permit Overview
1. The Hyper Island Campus
Where will you be every day?
The Hyper Island campus is located in Hammarby Sjöstad, a location close to Stockholm’s trendy Södermalm district. This waterfront neighborhood is packed with cafés and restaurants.
The closest tram stop is Mårtensdal and the closest subway station is Gullmarsplan.
Our campus gives off a modern rustic warehouse vibe and is located in a building filled with other companies, creating an energetic and collaborative workspace. Our Hyper Island campus has two stories of workspace with bookable workshop rooms, phone booths, areas with desks, sofas and a great café. It also have a rooftop for when you want to catch the sun.
The campus address is: Virkesvägen 2, 120 30 Stockholm.
On your first day, we'll meet you by the main entry to give you access to the Hyper Island Campus and you will be provided with an all access key to be able to come and go as you please. This key will be personal to you and only functional together with a 4 digit code. It's your responsibility to take care of this key and to not give access to anyone outside of Hyper Island to the campus.
Campus is open weekdays from 07.00 - 20.00.
You can find links below to the 2025 schedule overviews for both Full Time Digital Management and Digital Experience Design Master's Programs. These schedules may be subject to slight adjustments but the program start date is set as 8 September 2025 for all programs.
Industry Research Project (IRP)
The Industry Research Project is Hyper Island’s industry equivalent of the traditional Master’s thesis. You will be tasked to activate your practice-based researcher skills and identify an industry setting for a research project that you initiate and manage. You will conduct this Industry Research Project wherever you can legally reside in the world. If you decide to seek out an unpaid internship in Sweden as an international student, you will be required to apply for an extension of your residence permit - as the residence permit for other studies will only be granted for the first six months of the program on campus.
3. Travelling to Stockholm
You will likely fly into Arlanda Airport when arriving in Stockholm. Bromma Airport is an alternative airport, but most flights arrive and depart here within Sweden. You can find frequently asked questions about arrival to Arlanda here.
From Arlanda, it is easy to get into the city via:
- Arlanda Express, an 18 minute train to T-Centralen (the central station in Stockholm)
- Taxi: Uber, Bolt, and Taxi Stockholm are all commonly used in the city
- Flygbuss, the airport bus
- Public transport
- SL pendeltåg, the commuter train
You are responsible for your own entry into Sweden. Follow these rules to ensure you arrive safely and without legal issue:
- Do not bring illegal drugs into the country
- (If you are bringing in medications) Check requirements prior to the border crossing
- Know what backup documents (if any) you need to enter, and be prepared to show them upon arrival
- You are responsible for knowing laws and regulations in Sweden
Find out if your country has an embassy in Stockholm and if not, find out where the closest embassy is.
4. Accommodation
Finding a place to call home
In Stockholm the market for finding an apartment can be tough, so we advise to start doing some research 3-6 months before coming to Sweden to get a sense of the market. Rents are quite high so you'll need to come to term with spending most of your monthly budget on rent. How people find a place to live is by responding to peoples rentals ads and also by posting a personal ad showing you're looking for a place.
What to Do
What not to do
Personal Ad Example
- DO start to research for an apartment early, however it's common to find a place within 1-2 months
- DO make sure you visit the property before signing a lease.
- DO post a personal ad on Bostad.blocket.se (Swedish Craigslist) and in local Facebook groups
- DO connect with a fellow Hyper Island student to help each other and maybe find a joint accommodation
- DO have the landlord take an inventory of the condition of the furniture and of the apartment in general
- DON'T dismiss becoming a roommate instead of renting your own place, this will save you money and also maybe make a friend
- DON'T ever send money for rent in advance as there's people who will try to scam you and have you send them bigger amounts of money in advance. In case a deposit is required, kindly request the following info from the landlord: Name, Phone Number, Personal ID (personnummer) and transfer the money within Sweden
- DON'T underestimate the power of Social Media. Maybe a friend or a friend of a friend can help you.
Here are some webpages to help you get started with research and applications for accommodation. These are just suggestions and none of these are officially endorsed by Hyper Island. We cannot take responsibility for student accommodation.
- Hyper Island Facebook Group
- Facebook group: "Tjejer hjälper tjejer Bostad i Stockholm" (Girls helping girls find a place in Stockholm)
- Facebook group: "Lägenheter uthyres i Stockholm" (Apartments for rent in Stockholm)
- Facebook group: "Lägenheter i Stockholm" (Apartments in Stockholm)
- Blocket Bostad: Create an account here and you will be able to both search and post a personal ad
- Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad: Long stay hotel (Discount Code: 474160)
- Unity Hammarby Sjöstad
- Heliosgatan 13, 120 78 Stockholm
- Booking Code: UCHPSL
More Information on Renting in Stockholm
Find a student home (Note: you will unfortunately not qualify for Student Union housing, including SSSB)
Coliving
Co-living is an increasingly popular housing option for students and other internationals moving to Stockholm. The spaces are well-designed, cleaning is included in the rent, and you will immediately get to know other people who are new in town. Hyper Island is pleased to collaborate with two such co-living spaces in Stockholm, Allihoop and COLIVE. You can find more information on applying to these spaces below.
Allihoop Information Packet x Hyper Island
Allihoop provides rental studio apartments around Stockholm through a smooth application and selection process, with a focus on giving each resident more than just a place to live. With an active community of both internationals and Swedes ranging in ages 20-35, and access to extra facilities like a gym, sauna, and co-working spaces, Allihoop offers a social living experience that is far beyond the standard you will find in Stockholm.
Hyper Island's designated partner code with Allihoop is Hyper Island.
The Rental Process, step by step
- Find the Studio that suits you best through our member portal.
- Send in an application form on the same page (Estimated time: 15 minutes)
- We will review your application, and get back to you with a rental contract.
(Usually within 1-3 working days)
- Sign the contract, and pay the deposit to activate your reservation.
Move in! (Yes, it really is that simple)
COLIVE Information Packet x Hyper Island
Securing your spot is easy:
Just create an account on colive.se, apply to the hub you’re interested in moving to and enter the referral code: HYPERISLAND25
Tips & Tricks
When you select the location, we recommend that you select more than one hub to make sure you get a spot.
After you have submitted your application, you will get the opportunity to meet us and your potential future roomies in a quick digital meet-up. Say hi and feel free to ask any questions here. Or if you prefer, you can also connect with us one-on-one and ask us anything.
Costs
Costs range from around 7,000 – 15,000 SEK per month depending on size and location. In previous years, students have found accommodation in a number of ways including meeting through a Facebook group (caution: beware of scams on social media), through private halls, or vacant rooms listed on housing sites. It’s also common for students to book short-term accommodation for a few weeks through Airbnb.
5. Public Transport
Stockholm is VERY bike-friendly, with designated bike paths and lanes throughout the city. You can find bike lane maps below.
Stockholm Public Transit, SL, is responsible for buses, subways, commuter trains, trams, and ferries in the greater Stockholm area. To buy a ticket, you can download the SL app on your phone or buy an SL Card from SL Centers, ticket machines in the subway or from newspaper kiosks. It’s not possible to pay in cash for tickets onboard buses in Stockholm.
The student discount provider we work with is called Mecenat, which will allow you to receive a reduced ticket price for public transportation. More information will come on how to activate a student card.
6. Healthcare for International Students
Healthcare guidelines vary depending on your country of citizenship:
- EU-EEA students (including Switzerland):
As an EU/EEA student, you are entitled to receive essential healthcare for the same patient fee as Swedish citizens, as long as you have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Non EU-EEA students:
All non-EU/EEA students: As a requirement of your residence permit application AND as a requirement from Hyper Island, you need to show proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage for the whole time you will be in Sweden. The insurance must cover costs for emergency and other medical care, dental care, and hospital stays. It must also cover expenses for transportation home for medical reasons. Here are some possible companies to consider: Aon, IMG Global. You are responsible for confirming that your chosen provider and coverage plan meet the requirements from the Migration Agency.
- If you cannot prove health insurance coverage, you can be denied entry into Sweden as well as access to medical care. Please don’t let this be you.
- For residence permit reasons, please make sure that you are covered a few weeks before the program starts to a few weeks after the taught part of the program ends.
If you need to consult a doctor, you can make an appointment at a local health clinic (Vårdcentral). This usually costs 150 – 300 SEK for a consultation. Emergency consultations can cost 400 SEK. You can also call 1177 for free over the phone for medical guidance, or search for information here.
NOTE: International students own complete responsibility for their personal items such as computer, screen, mobile phone etc. Ensure your computer or other valuable belongings are insured against theft, burglary, fire, water damage and accidents. As an international student, you are required to obtain your own insurance in order to protect yourself and your property while in Sweden.
Got questions?
Unlock your potential and find the perfect course or program for you or your company with the help of one of our team.
7. Cost of Living
How much does it cost to live in Stockholm?
& Banking
How do I get a bank account and credit card?
Cost of living in Sweden can be high compared to other countries. As part of your visa application (if applicable), you will be required to prove your ability to financially support yourself throughout your stay. You can find more information on the maintenance requirement in our segment on visas, or on Migrationsverket’s website.
The average cost of living in Stockholm can be found here.
Good to know: Cash is not king in Sweden as it's rarely used. Cards are used in most shops and public areas. Be sure that you have access to a credit or debit card that can be used abroad.
Even if you do not have a Swedish personal number, you should be able to open a bank account in Sweden at a bank called SEB Bank.
You will need to contact SEB at +46 771-365 365 in order to book time for a meeting with them. They will advise you at which branch the meeting will take place along with more details on how to open the account.
Click this link to find out which documents you will need to bring to the meeting, and choose “Citizens of the EU and EEA” or “Citizens of countries outside of the EU and EEA” depending on your country of citizenship.
Unfortunately, you will not qualify for a BankID (identification app) due to the fact that you will not receive a personal number during your stay in Sweden.
8. Important Numbers in Sweden
Coming to Sweden, there are a few important numbers that can be good for you to have.
- In the event of an emergency, dial 112.
- For free medical guidance, dial 1177. If you are calling from abroad or from a foreign mobile in Sweden, call +46 771 1177 00.
- To report a crime, dial 114 14. If you are calling from abroad or from a foreign mobile in Sweden, call +46 77 114 14 00.
How to stay connected:
- Most international students tend to use Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp to stay connected with friends and family back home, but they also use a pay-as-you-go SIM card for local calls and data services. We recommend Comviq and Halebop. This you can acquire by visiting the linked websites above or visit a store which sells them. Alternatively, you may be able to use an e-SIM service.
- If you’re bringing a phone from home, make sure it’s unlocked and will allow a foreign sim card. The dialling code for Sweden is +46.
9. Residence Permit Overview
You will require a residence permit to move to Sweden for the six month onsite period at our Stockholm campus if you are in the Full Time Digital Management or Digital Experience Design programs. This requirement applies if you are a citizen of a non-EU country.
What you will apply for is called the “Residence Permit for Other Studies” through Sweden’s Migration Agency, called Migrationsverket.
The information provided regarding residence permits is correct to the best of our knowledge, but the agency might change their policies without us being aware. For that reason, always refer directly with the Swedish Migration Agency to find the most up-to-date information.
Please note that applications for residence permits are processed by the Swedish Migration Agency, NOT by Hyper Island. The residence permit application is the student’s responsibility.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- Valid passport for the entire duration of your stay
- Accepted admissions letter from Hyper Island
- Comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Sweden
- A bank statement showing you meet the financial maintenance requirements (a minimum of SEK 10,584 per month of stay)
- If you are under 18 years of age, you will need written consent from a parent or guardian
TIMELINE
The Migration Agency will reject all applications submitted more than four months before the start of the program. For the 2025 program year, you may apply at the earliest 8 May 2025. We highly recommend that you apply on this date or at the latest, until 30 May 2025, in order to have the best possible chance of receiving a decision in good time.
Please find our extended guide to your Residence Permit application below.
Got Questions?
Contact us:
Vivian Davis
Customer Success Specialist at Hyper Island and your main contact for anything immigration-related.
Email: vivian.davis@hyperisland.com
Phone: +46 76 496 0330
