But starting a new life means new consumer guidelines and rules for international residents to get used to. Worry not! The Local has partnered with Money from Sweden, part of the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket), to offer you five key things to know about your consumer rights in Sweden.
Money from Sweden, which also offers personal finance advice, is certified by the World Bank and was established by the Swedish government after it was asked to take action by the UN to drive down exorbitant currency conversion fees. Hallå Konsument, a nationwide consumer information service coordinated by the Swedish Consumer Agency, offers comprehensive advice on consumer-related questions concerning purchases of goods and services, complaints and sustainable shopping.
Send money abroad? Find out how Money from Sweden could help you find the very best deal for you
1. Wise up about the rules on property rentals and purchases
Rent controls apply to many properties in Sweden, but in the larger cities the waiting lists for these so-called ‘first-hand’ contracts for apartments are often more than ten years. This means that most people rely on sublets or ‘second-hand’ (andra hand) rentals. If you rent an apartment through ‘second-hand’ means from a private individual, it’s this person to whom you should refer any demands or complaints.
There are various ways to go about getting help if you have a dispute with your landlord. In many cases, you can get free help. These options are all discussed here (in Swedish). When it comes to buying a property, Hallå Konsument insists that you as a buyer have a duty to inspect a house before signing contracts. Buyers cannot be reimbursed by the seller afterwards for errors that should have been discovered by an inspector hired by the buyer.
2. Mobile and broadband: be smart about getting connected
One of the most common early purchases for an international newcomer is a mobile phone or broadband contract, or perhaps both. You just have to be connected, right? However, if you sign a contract for a mobile phone or broadband and you subsequently change your mind, you’re legally entitled to cancel the service within 14 days of sale.
User reading terms and conditions before clicking Agree button. Photo: Getty Images
Each mobile and broadband provider will have their own processes relating to the cancellation of their services. Although this protects you in the first two weeks, you should always carefully read your contract before signing. Yes, it’s boring but it might save you hassle later. Hallå Konsument also recommends that you keep any receipts and bills.
3. Money transfers: understand the value of comparing
According to United Nations estimates, approximately one billion people worldwide annually engage in international money transfers. These transactions are often expensive and complicated – as many international people in Sweden are only too aware. Currency conversions and bank fees consume an average of seven percent of the funds transferred between customers.
This has been such a global problem that one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to reduce these fees to less than three percent of transaction costs by 2030. To assist in this goal, the Swedish Consumer Agency introduced the free online service, Money from Sweden. This service makes it quick and easy to compare fees on sending 1,000, 3,000 or 5,000 Swedish kronor to 42 countries. You’ll see exactly how much of your money is transferred and how much is kept by the service provider. Most companies charge for converting money to the recipient country’s local currency.
Money from Sweden will also detail how long each company takes to transfer the money. You can sort the whole list of companies by fastest and cheapest transfers, so you get an instant idea of which company is best for your circumstances. If a company has refused to answer the questions from Money from Sweden, this is indicated by a warning triangle and an exclamation mark. This suggests that there may be hidden fees. If you still decide to use one of these companies, it’s important to ask exactly how much of your money will be transferred from Sweden on the date you choose to send it.
4. Buying in a shop or online: know your rights
In Sweden you have several protections as a shopper, some provided by EU law, some under Swedish consumer law, and some at the discretion of the individual retailer. Under the Distance and Doorstep Sales Act, there is a 14-day period to cancel a purchase if it took place over the phone, online, or outside the seller’s business premises (such as through door-to-door sales), and the item was worth at least 400 kronor. This period starts the day after you enter the purchase agreement.
For purchases made in a shop, you always have the right to return any goods that are faulty. If you simply change your mind about a purchase, it’s up to the store to decide whether to refund you (öppet köp) or allow you to exchange it for another item (bytesrätt).
Most municipalities also have a specialist consumer advisor who will provide information about your consumer rights and will advise on the right course of action to take. You can find details of your local advisor here (in Swedish).
5. Cars: beware of cheap private purchases
Once you’ve settled into Sweden, you might wish to buy a car. Cars are usually cheaper when bought from a private individual rather than a licensed dealer, but buying privately can be a false economy, especially with older cars, which are more likely to fail. If you have problems with a car bought from a private individual, consumer law does not apply.
This means that you do not have the same rights as when you buy from a company, although you do still have the right to complain if there is something wrong with the car. If you buy a faulty vehicle from a car dealer, the dealer is responsible for rectifying it, regardless of whether you have received a guarantee for the car or not. But you must complain within two months of discovering the error.
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