Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Västerås, located in central Sweden, is one of the oldest cities in the country, known for its rich history and modern industrial landscape. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 150,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering high-speed connections. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 SEK ≈ 0.095 USD (as of April 2025). Common banks include Swedbank, Handelsbanken, and Nordea. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is safe to drink and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity in Västerås is 230V, 50Hz, and uses Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Mobile providers include Telia, Tele2, and Telenor, with prepaid options readily available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like Swedbank and Svenska Handelsbanken accommodate expats and offer services in English. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Common platforms for accommodation include Airbnb and local real estate sites like Blocket and Hemnet. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, Sweden is highly cashless, with cards accepted widely and many places using mobile payment solutions like Swish. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Västerås Vandrarhem and budget hotels like Comfort Hotel are recommended for affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Gamla Staden (Old Town) is the best area, with historical sites and restaurants. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The city center and Västerås harbor area are ideal for digital nomads, offering coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Västerås Science Park is a top coworking space that fosters innovation and networking among professionals. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Kupan, located in the city center, offers free Wi-Fi and a comfortable atmosphere for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events are hosted at Västerås Business Park and local coffee shops, focused on tech and startup community engagement. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Look for groups like 'Expats in Västerås' on Facebook for meetups and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available, along with local options such as Taxi Västerås. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Dejträff Bike Rental offers bikes and scooters for rent around the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Sundbyholmsstrand, located about 15 minutes away, offers beach access on Lake Mälaren. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Braathens Regional Airlines connects Västerås to Stockholm and surrounding regions. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | SAS and Norwegian Airlines offer international flights from nearby Stockholm airports. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E18 highway connects Västerås to Stockholm and further west to Norway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Västerås Central Station serves as the main transit hub, connecting to Stockholm and surrounding areas. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Local bus passes can be purchased through the Västmanland County Transport website for unlimited travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains operated by MTR are available for travel to nearby cities like Uppsala and Örebro. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Västerås Hospital provides comprehensive medical services and emergency care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Rituals Yoga studio offers various classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness24Seven and SATS are popular gym chains in the city, offering various membership options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as Tvättbasen provide accessible laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodora and UberEats are widely used for food delivery in Västerås. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Swedish meatballs (Köttbullar) served at local restaurants like Lasse-Maja's are a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Vete-Katter offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Bageri Ängeln is famous for their pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Västerås market offers fresh produce and local products at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Webhallen and CDON are popular online marketplaces available in Sweden. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | ICA and Coop offer grocery delivery services within the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center, especially around Stora Torget, hosts various bars and pubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Västerås Brewery (Västerås Brygghus) offers local craft beers and tasting sessions. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vino D´Italia serves a selection of wines in a cozy setting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Lunch stalls in Västerås market offer quick and tasty street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Eatery serve cuisines from around the world including American and Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Västerås Cathedral (Västerås Domkyrka) and Västerås Castle are essential historical attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Västerås Art Museum showcases contemporary art and local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Västerås Castle hosts exhibitions and events reflecting the city’s heritage. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | In addition to the cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas is a beautiful site to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Västerås Market, held annually in summer, features local crafts, food, and entertainment. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The area around Djäkneberget is known for its cultural significance and events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Västerås City Theatre hosts various performances and events throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Västerås Market on Saturdays is lively with local vendors offering fresh produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues such as Kooros Café feature live music and open mic nights. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The area around the train station showcases impressive murals and street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Various cooking classes are available at Le Gourmet, focusing on local ingredients. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Västerås Art Hall features rotating exhibitions from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Town features well-preserved buildings dating back to the 18th century. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's history as a trade hub is highlighted in various exhibitions around Västerås. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lake Mälaren is ideal for outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Björnö Nature Reserve offers beautiful landscapes and nature trails, located 30 minutes away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Mälaren Path provides scenic routes for cycling and walking along Lake Mälaren. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Djäkneberget hill offers panoramic views of Västerås and the lake. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Hällsbosjön is a great spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas at Vallby Open Air Museum allow for bonfires and picnics. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNord provide reliable parcel delivery services within Västerås. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit offers electronics repair services for various devices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out the recreational center at Västerås Sport Center for table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) classes are available through local community colleges. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Västerås City Library has a great selection of materials and study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Västerås Folkets Park hosts cultural activities and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Arena offers a social gaming experience in the city. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Cosmopol brings a touch of excitement with various gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio would cost around €120,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio would cost around €100,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment would cost around €192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment would cost around €168,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment would cost around €240,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment would cost around €184,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate in Sweden is 22%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The dividend withholding tax is typically 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | The Swedish tax system is based on worldwide income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate can be around 57%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Some goods and services have a standard VAT rate of 25%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Sweden has strict CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes are based on the assessed value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A property transaction tax of 3% is applicable for residential property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Sweden offers tax benefits such as tax deductions for certain expenses, but digital nomads must comply with residency rules. |