Essentials
- City
- Kiruna, Lappland, Sweden
- Population
- 23,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-500 Mbps via fiber optics widely available
- Currency & Banking
- 1 SEK ≈ 0.096 USD, 1 USD ≈ 10.45 SEK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality Arctic water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F/C sockets
- SIM Card
- Telia, Tele2, Telenor (approx. 300 SEK for 10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Swedbank, Nordea, Revolut widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Scandic Ferrum, Camp Ripan
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Sweden is nearly 100% cashless; cards/Apple Pay required
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (approx. 1,500 SEK/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- STF Malmfältens Folkhögskola (from 600 SEK/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The New City Center or nearby Camp Ripan for Aurora viewing
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Lombolo or the newly developed residential zones in New Kiruna
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Great Northern (nearby in Skellefteå) or local library 'Kiruna Stadsbibliotek' which offers free workstations
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Safari (Föreningsgatan 15), features stable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Kiruna Science Park industry meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Kiruna International Group (Facebook), expat mixers at Scandic bar
Culture and Attractions
- Cultural Districts
- The 'Moving City' - the relocation area of the town center
- Theater Venues
- Aurora Kultur & Kongress
- Local Markets
- Sámi Winter Market (seasonal pop-ups)
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Scandic Ferrum
- Street Art
- Murals on the new residential blocks in the city center
- Cooking Classes
- Sámi food experiences at Nutti Sámi Siida
- Art Galleries
- Ateljé Nord
- Historic Buildings
- Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården
- Local Heritage
- LKAB Iron Ore Mine (world's largest underground mine)
- Must-See Landmarks
- Icehotel (Jukkasjärvi, 20 mins away), Kiruna Church
- Museums & Art Venues
- Konsthallen i Kiruna (Aurora Kultur & Kongress)
- Historical Sites
- Kiruna Kyrka (Iron Age-inspired architecture)
- Religious Sites
- Kiruna Church (Voted Sweden's most beautiful building)
- Annual Events
- Kiruna Snow Festival (January), Midsummer (June)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Luossavaara Mountain (hiking/skiing within city limits)
- National Parks Nearby
- Abisko National Park (90 km away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Midnight Sun Trail on Luossavaara
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Luossavaara Summit (View of the mine and mountains)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Torne River Valley
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated fire pits along the Luossajärvi shore
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PostNord, DHL Service Point (located in supermarkets)
- Tech Repair Services
- IT-Support Kiruna
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sporthallen Kiruna
- Language Classes
- SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) Kiruna
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kiruna Stadsbibliotek (New City Center)
- Community Centers
- Folkets Hus
- Gaming Lounges
- None; local gaming groups meet at 'Ungdomens Hus'
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- No physical casinos; online gaming (Svenska Spel)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 45,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 SEK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 30,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,200,000 SEK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 42,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 SEK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 28,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,680,000 SEK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 40,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 SEK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 25,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,000,000 SEK)
- Corporate Tax
- 20.6%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (often reduced by treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 52-55% (including municipal and state tax)
- VAT
- 25% standard, 12% food, 6% books/transport
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Swedish CFC legislation applies
- Property Tax
- Municipal property fee (Fastighetsavgift), max cap approx. 9,500 SEK/year
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% Stamp Duty for individuals
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; Foreign experts can apply for a 25% tax reduction (Expert Tax)
Health and Wellness
- Laundry Services
- Laundromat at Camp Ripan; most apartments include shared 'Tvättstuga'
- Best Hospital
- Kiruna Sjukhus (Thulegatan 29)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Aurora Spa at Camp Ripan
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- STIL Kiruna, Actic Kiruna (Vänortstorget 2)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodora (Limited availability)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Suovas (smoked reindeer meat) at Stejk Street Food
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Spis Mat & Dryck (Malmvägen 5)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Anis Bröd (local bakery) for traditional 'Gofika'
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- ICA Nära, Coop Kiruna C
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.se, Apotea.se, Postnord for delivery
- Grocery Delivery
- ICA Online (Kiruna)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Bishop's Arms (Föreningsgatan 6)
- Local Brewery
- Kiruna Bryggeri
- Wine Bars
- Spis Deli and Wine Bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Stejk Street Food (reindeer tacos from a truck)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Arctic Thai & Grill
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Sverigetaxi Kiruna (+46 980 120 20); No Uber/Bolt available
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Höjdmeter (Bergmästaregatan 2) for mountain bikes and fatbikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- No traditional beaches; Lombolo Lake swimming area (summer only)
- Top Regional Airline
- SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
- Top International Airline
- Norwegian Air, Lufthansa (seasonal via Frankfurt)
- Highway Access
- E10 Highway connecting Kiruna to Luleå and Narvik (Norway)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Kiruna Centralstation (relocated to the new center)
- Public Transport Passes
- Kiruna Buss (Länstrafiken Norrbotten), 30 SEK per single trip
- Regional Travel
- Vy Tåg (Arctic Circle Train) to Abisko and Narvik