Karlstad, Sweden 🇸🇪
#1525
59.380914, 13.502763
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Karlstad is the capital of Värmland County, situated on the northern shore of Lake Vänern. |
👥 Population | Approximately 66,000 residents. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average broadband speed of 100 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | SEK (Swedish Krona); 1 EUR ≈ 12.5 SEK. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telia, Tele2, and Telenor. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include Swedbank, Nordea, and SEB; services like Revolut are also accepted. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted everywhere. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Karlstad offers dormitories starting at 300 SEK per night. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coffice Karlstad, known for its vibrant community and amenities. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Värmland, with good Wi-Fi and a comfortable atmosphere. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups are regularly organized via platforms like Meetup.com. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Karlstad International Club holds regular meetups and events. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates, along with local taxi services like TaxiKurir. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | CykelKarlstad offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Summer beach at Skutberget, about a 10-minute drive. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Sweden operates flights from Karlstad Airport. |
✈️ Top International Airline | SAS provides international connections from Stockholm. |
🛣️ Highway Access | E18 and E45 highways connect to major cities in Sweden. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Karlstad Central Station serves as the primary train station. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes available for Värmlandstrafik public transport. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect to nearby towns like Kristinehamn and Sunne. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Karlstad Central Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Karlstad offers various classes and workshops. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | SATS Karlstad and Friskis&Svettis are popular fitness centers. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lundgrens Tvätt provides laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodora and UberEats operate in Karlstad. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Löjrom, a traditional Swedish roe dish. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarisk Vägen is a dedicated vegetarian restaurant. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Konditori Värmland offers a selection of local pastries. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Karlstads Saluhall market for fresh and local produce. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Sweden's online markets include CDON and Adlibris. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | ICA and Coop offer grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Stora torget features popular bars and nightlife hangouts. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Karlstad Ölfabrik provides brewery tours and tastings. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Vinbaren is known for its excellent selection of wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at the riverfront during summer. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Café Svart offers great burgers and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Karlstad Cathedral and the Mötesplats Karlstad are key attractions. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Värmlands Museum showcases regional art and history. |
🏰 Historical Sites | The Old Town area offers a glimpse of Karlstad's history. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Karlstad Cathedral is a prominent religious site. |
🎉 Annual Events | Karlstad's Festival of Culture takes place every September. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | The Waterfront area features cultural and dining options. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Nöjesfabriken hosts concerts and other live performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Karlstads Marknad occurs every Saturday at the town square. |
🎼 Music Scene | The local music scene is vibrant with many live venues. |
🎨 Street Art | Explore various murals around the city center. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking Studio Värmland offers culinary workshops. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleri 1 showcases local artists' work. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Rådhuset (Town Hall) is an architectural highlight. |
🏴 Local Heritage | The Värmlands regional identity is celebrated in various events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Ljungskogen and Djäkneberget offer beautiful natural landscapes. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Dalsland-Nordmarken’s National Park is a short drive away. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Klarälvsbanan path is a scenic cycling route. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoints along Lake Vänern provide stunning scenery. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The shores of Lake Vänern are popular for birdwatching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Skutberget has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNord offer reliable delivery services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair shops like Karlstad Data offer tech assistance. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local sports centers have table tennis tables for public use. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) classes available at local community centers. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Karlstad City Library is a great study location. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Folket Hus provides various community programs. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On is a popular gaming lounge. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Cosmopol is located in nearby Sundsvall. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 30,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,200,000 SEK). |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 25,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,000,000 SEK). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 28,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,680,000 SEK). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 22,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,320,000 SEK). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 25,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,000,000 SEK). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 20,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,600,000 SEK). |
💼 Corporate Tax | 22%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30%. |
🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 57%. |
🧾 VAT | 25% standard rate. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules. |
🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% standard rate. |