Essentials
- City
- Eskilstuna, Södermanland County, Sweden
- Population
- Approximately 108,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber (100-1000 Mbps) is standard; 5G coverage is excellent throughout the city center.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 SEK ≈ 0.096 USD, 1 USD ≈ 10.45 SEK. Major banks include SEB and Swedbank located on Fristadstorget.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and of very high quality (among the best in Sweden).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets.
- SIM Card
- Telia, Tele2, and Telenor. A 20GB prepaid plan costs approx. 249 SEK at Pressbyrån.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are best for short-term; ICA Banken is accessible for those with a Personal Identity Number.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Blocket Bostad, and local hotels like Comfort Hotel Eskilstuna.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, extremely cashless. Many shops and cafes do not accept cash at all.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (approx. 900 SEK/night) and Forenom Aparthotel Eskilstuna (approx. 12,000 SEK/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Vilsta Sporthotell & Hostel (approx. 450 SEK/night for a dorm or small room).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Rademachersmedjorna area (Old Town) for history and proximity to the city center.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Väster or Norr districts for quieter residential vibes with quick bike access to downtown.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Munktell Science Park (Portgatan 3). Daily passes approx. 250 SEK; focuses on innovation and tech.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mocca Deli (Fristadstorget 5). Trendy vibe, fast Wi-Fi, and plenty of power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Events organized by Create Business Incubator and local LinkedIn groups like 'Nätverket Eskilstuna'.
- Social Events for Expats
- International Meetup groups often meet at The Bishops Arms for social drinks.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxi Kurir Eskilstuna (App available). Uber is not active; Bolt is limited.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tier and Voi e-scooters are available seasonally. Local bike rental at Vilsta Camping.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sundbyholm Beach on Lake Mälaren, approx. 15 mins drive from the center.
- Top Regional Airline
- Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) via Bromma Airport (1 hour away).
- Top International Airline
- SAS or Lufthansa via Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), accessible in 90 mins by train.
- Highway Access
- E20 motorway connects Eskilstuna directly to Stockholm and Gothenburg.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Eskilstuna Central Station (Järnvägsplan).
- Public Transport Passes
- Sörmlandstrafiken. A 30-day city pass costs 840 SEK.
- Regional Travel
- Mälartåg trains run hourly to Stockholm (approx. 60 mins, 160 SEK).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Mälarsjukhuset (Kungsvägen). Large regional teaching hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yogansa Eskilstuna (Västra Storgatan 11). Classes approx. 200 SEK/drop-in.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- STC Eskilstuna or Nordic Wellness. Monthly membership approx. 499 SEK.
- Laundry Services
- Most rentals include a 'Tvättstuga'; otherwise, use professional services like Tvättmästarn.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodora and Wolt are the primary providers in Eskilstuna.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mälargös (Zander fish from Lake Mälaren), often served at posh local bistros.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Neko Sushi (Västra Storgatan) for plant-based rolls and various poke bowls.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Konditori Janeling (Trädgårdsgatan 16) - famous for their 'Eskilstuna-kaka'.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Willys or Lidl for budget groceries; ReTuna Återbruksgalleria for recycled goods.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.se, Apotea.se (pharmacy), and Elgiganten.se (tech).
- Grocery Delivery
- Mathem.se or ICA Online.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Nybrogatan and the riverside area near the library for bars.
- Local Brewery
- Eskilstuna Ölkultur (Fristadstorget). Offers brewery tours and a taproom.
- Wine Bars
- Vinäger (Kungsgatan 13). Great selection of European wines and tapas.
- Street Food Stalls
- Various kebab and falafel stands near Fristadstorget (approx. 95 SEK for a roll).
- Popular International Cuisine
- BiBimBap Eskilstuna for authentic Korean food.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Rademachersmedjorna (17th-century smithies) and the Eskilstuna River.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Eskilstuna Konstmuseum (Art Museum) located in an old bolt factory.
- Historical Sites
- Sigurdsristningen (The Sigurd Carving), a massive Viking-age rock carving nearby.
- Religious Sites
- Klosterkyrkan (The Monastery Church), a brick Gothic revival church.
- Annual Events
- Spring Pride Eskilstuna and the 'Å-loppet' riverside run.
- Cultural Districts
- Munktellstaden, a renovated industrial district now housing museums and sports venues.
- Theater Venues
- Eskilstuna Teater (Järnvägsplan).
- Local Markets
- Farmers market at Fristadstorget on Saturdays.
- Music Scene
- Lokomotivet, a concert venue for major Swedish touring acts.
- Street Art
- Various murals around the Munktell area and the downtown pedestrian tunnels.
- Cooking Classes
- Medborgarskolan often hosts evening cooking workshops.
- Art Galleries
- Galleri Gamla Staden located in the charming old town district.
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Town Hall (Gamla Rådhuset) on Smedjegatan.
- Local Heritage
- The city's identity is tied to 'Smedstaden' (The City of Smiths/Steel).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Vilsta Nature Reserve, offering hiking, skiing, and outdoor gyms.
- National Parks Nearby
- Tyresta National Park (approx. 1 hour 15 mins drive toward Stockholm).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Åstråket, a scenic path following the river through the city.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Vilsta-backen (the ski hill) offers a panoramic view of the city.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ekeby Sjöhagar, a wetlands area perfect for birding.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated BBQ pits at Vilsta and Sundbyholm Park.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PostNord (pick up at ICA or Coop), DHL Service Points.
- Tech Repair Services
- Digitalinn or local neighborhood shops like 'Mobilfixarna'.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Munktellarenan has facilities for various indoor sports including ping pong.
- Language Classes
- SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) and Folkuniversitetet Eskilstuna.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Eskilstuna Stadsbibliotek (City Library). Very quiet with free Wi-Fi.
- Community Centers
- Mötesplats Moulin Rouge (Youth/Community focus).
- Gaming Lounges
- Kappa Bar (Esplanaden) offers e-sports viewing and gaming stations.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Licensed gaming is mostly at Vegas machines in bars; no land-based international casino.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 35,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 1,225,000 SEK).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 20,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 700,000 SEK).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 30,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 55 m² = 1,650,000 SEK).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 18,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 55 m² = 990,000 SEK).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 28,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 2,100,000 SEK).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 16,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 1,200,000 SEK).
- Corporate Tax
- 20.6%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (often reduced by tax treaties).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 52-55% (including municipal and state tax).
- VAT
- Standard 25%, Food/Books 12%, Transport 6%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive regulations apply.
- Property Tax
- Municipal fee (Fastighetsavgift) capped at approx. 9,500 SEK/year for houses.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% Stamp Duty for individuals on the purchase price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; high taxes but excellent public infrastructure and safety.