Andrahand apartments in Malmö for expats
Malmö's unique draw for expats is its dual identity: Sweden's most diverse city and Copenhagen's most affordable suburb. Cross-border commuters can live on Swedish rent levels while earning Danish salaries — a meaningful arbitrage. The city's food scene, architectural diversity, and rapidly developing tech ecosystem make it far more dynamic than its often-overlooked reputation suggests.
Malmö is one of Scandinavia's most underrated expat destinations — a city that has reinvented itself from post-industrial decline into a genuinely cosmopolitan urban environment. One in three Malmö residents was born outside Sweden, making it the country's most diverse city and one where English is almost universally understood. The Øresund Bridge connects Malmö to Copenhagen in 35 minutes by train, which means expats can live here affordably while working in Denmark — a popular arrangement for professionals employed in Copenhagen's pharmaceutical and tech sectors. The first-hand housing queue in Malmö averages three to four years, shorter than Stockholm or Gothenburg, but andrahand apartments remain the fastest and most flexible entry point for newcomers. Expatriate monitors all major platforms and sends English alerts for Malmö listings in real time.
Why expats choose Malmö
Malmö's unique draw for expats is its dual identity: Sweden's most diverse city and Copenhagen's most affordable suburb. Cross-border commuters can live on Swedish rent levels while earning Danish salaries — a meaningful arbitrage. The city's food scene, architectural diversity, and rapidly developing tech ecosystem make it far more dynamic than its often-overlooked reputation suggests.
Where expats live in Malmö
The best neighbourhoods for andrahand apartments and expat life.
Västra Hamnen
9 500–14 000 kr/moMalmö's most iconic neighbourhood: modern architecture, waterfront promenades, and the Turning Torso landmark. Home to Malmö University's campus and heavily populated by students and young professionals. Andrahand listings here move quickly.
Möllevången
7 500–11 000 kr/moKnown as 'Möllan', this is Malmö's most multicultural neighbourhood — a dense market district with international food shops, restaurants from dozens of cultures, and a vivid street scene. Popular with expats who value urban diversity and lower rents.
Limhamn
8 500–12 500 kr/moA quieter, more residential area close to the Øresund coast and the bridge approach. Popular with families and expats who commute to Copenhagen and prefer a calmer base. Good access to beaches. Strong supply of larger flats.
Slottstaden
9 000–13 000 kr/moElegant grid streets around Malmöhus castle, with fine 1930s architecture and a strong local community. One of Malmö's most desirable residential areas — well-priced relative to equivalent Stockholm districts, but andrahand availability is limited.
Husie / Husie Höjd
6 500–9 500 kr/moEastern suburbs offering the best value in the Malmö area. Practical for expats who commute by car and prioritise space over central location. Tram connections to the city centre exist but are less frequent.
Malmö rent prices for andrahand apartments
Typical monthly rents for second-hand sublets in Malmö. All prices in SEK.
| Apartment type | Monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Studio (1 room) | 6 500–9 500 kr/mo |
| 1 bedroom (2 rooms) | 8 000–12 500 kr/mo |
| 2 bedrooms (3 rooms) | 11 000–16 000 kr/mo |
Ranges reflect typical andrahand market prices. Furnished apartments typically add 10–25%. Prices vary by neighbourhood and listing platform.
Tips for finding an expat apartment in Malmö
Practical guidance for expats navigating the Malmö andrahand market.
If you work in Copenhagen, model the cross-border commute carefully. The Øresund Bridge train takes 35 minutes from Malmö Centralstation to Copenhagen Central. Factor in the annual train pass cost (around 10 000 kr) — you'll almost certainly still come out ahead on rent savings versus living in Copenhagen.
Malmö's diversity means English is genuinely effective here — more so than in any other Swedish city. Even older residents in diverse neighbourhoods like Möllevången typically manage basic English conversations.
Check the Öresundstrain (Öresundståg) schedule for your workplace stop, not just Copenhagen Central. If you work in Ørestad or the airport area, the commute time from Malmö is actually shorter than from many Copenhagen neighbourhoods.
Malmö University draws a large international student and researcher population. The resulting andrahand market near Västra Hamnen is active and expat-familiar — landlords there have often rented to internationals before.
Summer is the peak season for andrahand demand in Malmö as university leases turn over. Start your search in April–May if you want a July or August start date with maximum choice.
Other Swedish cities for expats
Expatriate monitors andrahand listings across all major Swedish cities.
Gothenburg
590,000 residents
Gothenburg offers expats a softer landing than Stockholm: rents are 15–25% lower, neighbou…
View city guideLund
92,000 residents
Lund is effectively a large university campus with a city built around it. For research-fo…
View city guideStockholm
975,000 residents
Stockholm is a global tech capital where international talent is actively recruited but th…
View city guideLive listings in Malmö
Active andrahand apartments updated in real time.
Falkmansgatan, Malmö
14 150 krSaarisvägen, Malmö
8 000 krSkeppsgatan, Malmö
10 000 krBranteviksgatan, Malmö
8 200 krDisponentgatan, Malmö
12 500 krKöpmansgatan, Malmö
5 339 krKonsultgatan, Malmö
10 000 krvon Lingens väg, Malmö
11 500 krHallstorpsvägen, Malmö
11 600 krTulpangatan, Malmö
4 300 krBörringegatan, Malmö
4 750 krÖstra Ryttmästaregatan, Malmö
9 107 krFree plan · No personnummer · Cancel anytime
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from expats searching for andrahand apartments in Malmö.
Can I live in Malmö and work in Copenhagen?
Yes, and it is a common arrangement. The Øresund Bridge train runs every 20 minutes and the journey takes 35 minutes. Danish salaries in sectors like pharma (Leo Pharma, Novo Nordisk), tech, and design are significantly higher than Swedish equivalents, while Malmö rent is 30–50% below central Copenhagen. You will pay Swedish tax on income earned in Denmark under certain conditions — consult a cross-border tax adviser, but many expats find the arrangement financially advantageous.
Is Malmö safe for expats?
Malmö has a complex reputation, partly due to segregation in certain outer suburbs in the 1990s and 2000s. The central neighbourhoods — Västra Hamnen, Limhamn, Slottstaden, Möllevången, and the areas around Triangeln — are safe, well-maintained, and popular with both Swedish and international residents. As with any city, do basic research on the specific postcode of any flat you're considering.
What is the andrahand rental market like in Malmö compared to Stockholm?
Significantly less competitive. A well-priced one-bedroom andrahand in central Malmö might receive 10–20 applications versus 50–100 in Stockholm for a comparable property. Average rents are also 25–35% lower. For expats who don't require the specific employers or social infrastructure of Stockholm, Malmö often represents a far easier market to enter quickly.
Are there English-language services in Malmö?
Yes, more than anywhere else in Sweden outside Stockholm. Malmö University operates significantly in English, the international business community is large, and the city's extraordinary cultural diversity means English functions as a shared language in many contexts. Most healthcare providers, public offices, and major employers have English-speaking staff.
How long is the first-hand housing queue in Malmö?
The average wait for a first-hand (förstahand) rental contract through MKB or Heimstaden in central Malmö is approximately 3–4 years — shorter than Stockholm or Gothenburg, but still impractical for anyone needing housing in the near term. Andrahand is the realistic route in, and the Malmö andrahand market is active enough to find a suitable flat within weeks with the right alerts in place.
Do I need a personnummer to rent andrahand in Malmö?
No. Just like everywhere in Sweden, andrahand contracts are private agreements where the only legal requirement is mutual consent between you and the current tenant. Income proof, references, and a brief personal introduction are more important than administrative credentials. Once you arrive and register with Skatteverket, you'll receive a personnummer, but that's a post-arrival step — not a prerequisite for housing.