If you love Swedish food, meatballs and smörgåsbord and are considering moving to Singapore, the good news is that you can enjoy Nordic food while building a safe, stable life here with the help of Homejourney’s trusted property tools and verified data.
This cluster guide supports Homejourney’s main expat pillar on moving to Singapore by zooming into what matters to food‑loving Swedes and Nordic expats: everyday life, housing, cost of living, and where to find familiar Swedish cuisine and herring alongside your new home search.
Life before Singapore: From Swedish food culture to a tropical city
Many Swedes thinking about Singapore picture a big jump: from cosy fika, cinnamon buns and winter stews to hawker centres, tropical humidity and high‑rise living.
In Sweden, daily life often revolves around fika, long summer dinners, and seasonal dishes like sill (herring), gravad lax and meatballs with lingonberry jam; in Singapore, life is faster paced, more urban and centred on food courts, malls and efficient public transport.
Despite the climate and language differences, both countries share some key traits that expats appreciate: strong rule of law, good public infrastructure, reliable public transport and a strong focus on safety – values that Homejourney mirrors by prioritising verified listings and transparent property data.
Swedes and other Nordic food lovers often choose Singapore for its regional career opportunities, English-speaking environment, low crime, and as a base to explore Asia, while still having access to Swedish food at places like IKEA’s Swedish Restaurant and Nordic-inspired spots such as Overbrød and Fika Swedish Café & Bistro[1][3][4].
Relocating from Swedish food culture to Singapore: visas, jobs and costs
1. Visa and work permit options
Most Swedes and Nordic citizens come to Singapore on one of a few visa pathways (always confirm the latest details with Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and ICA before applying):
- Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals with a job offer in Singapore; your employer normally sponsors this. Salaries must meet a minimum threshold and pass a points-based assessment.
- S Pass – for mid‑skilled workers, with salary and quota conditions.
- Dependant’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – for spouses and children of EP or S Pass holders.
- Student’s Pass – if you or your children will attend local or international schools.
Because immigration rules change, Homejourney always recommends checking official MOM/ICA pages and consulting a licensed relocation or immigration specialist for complex cases.
2. Employment opportunities for Swedes and Nordic expats
Swedish and Nordic expats in Singapore are commonly found in sectors like tech, fintech, engineering, logistics, green energy, shipping, design, hospitality, and regional HQ roles for European brands.
There is also demand for F&B and hospitality professionals, especially those with Nordic fine‑dining experience, given the presence of top‑end Nordic‑influenced restaurants such as Zén, the sister restaurant of Stockholm’s Frantzén, now a three‑Michelin‑star restaurant in Singapore’s 2025 guide[2][5].
If you are from a Swedish food and cuisine background – for example as a chef, restaurant manager, barista or baker – Singapore’s restaurant scene, including Scandinavian and modern European venues, can offer attractive roles, but hiring is competitive and still subject to work pass requirements.
3. Cost of living vs Sweden
Overall, Singapore’s housing and car ownership are usually more expensive than in Sweden, while public transport and many everyday food options (especially hawker food) can feel cheaper.
As a rough guide, office district lunches at hawker centres can range from around SGD 5–8, while Western or Nordic‑style cafés and restaurants often start from SGD 20–40 per head for mains, with fine‑dining tasting menus such as Zén’s reaching premium prices[2][5].
Homejourney helps you benchmark housing costs clearly using verified transaction data via Projects Directory and live rental listings via Property Search , so you can compare your expected rent or mortgage realistically to your current expenses in Sweden.
Because Singapore has no capital gains tax on property and no tax on foreign-sourced income remitted by individuals (subject to current IRAS rules), some Swedish investors also use Singapore property as a long-term investment base, though you should always get independent tax advice in both countries.
Buying or renting in Singapore as a Swedish or Nordic expat
1. What foreigners can buy
Most Swedes and other foreigners start with these main property types in Singapore:
- Private condominiums – Fully equipped apartments with pools, gyms and security. Foreigners can buy most condos without special approval.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) – A hybrid public–private housing product. Foreigners can typically buy only resale ECs after they reach the 10‑year mark.
- HDB flats – Singapore’s public housing. Foreigners generally cannot buy HDB flats directly, except in limited scenarios (e.g., with a Singapore citizen spouse).
- Landed property – Foreign ownership of landed houses is heavily restricted and usually requires approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit.
Homejourney’s verified listings and Projects data pages help you quickly filter by property type you are legally eligible to buy, reducing the risk of falling in love with a home you cannot legally purchase.
2. ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners
As a foreigner, you must factor in ABSD – Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty in addition to standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty when purchasing property.
ABSD rates differ by residency and buyer profile, and have been adjusted several times over the past decade to manage market stability; always confirm the latest from IRAS or with a licensed conveyancing lawyer or property agent.
Homejourney’s calculators and guides in the main expat pillar content explain how stamp duties, legal fees and mortgage interest together affect your total upfront cash and CPF (if applicable) outlay, helping you avoid surprises.
3. Popular neighbourhoods for Swedes and Nordic food lovers
Based on on‑the‑ground experience and conversations with Nordic expats, these neighbourhoods often appeal to people moving from Swedish food culture:
- Queenstown / Alexandra – Easy access to IKEA Alexandra (for Swedish meatballs, salmon, plant balls and more[3]), Overbrød for smørrebrød and gravadlax[1], and quick MRT links to the CBD.
- Tiong Bahru / Outram / Bukit Pasoh – Character shophouses and cafés, and quick access to high‑end dining such as Zén on Bukit Pasoh Road[2][5].
- Bugis / Kampong Glam – Walking distance to Fika Swedish Café & Bistro for meatballs, pickled herring and a halal Swedish menu[1][4], plus vibrant culture and good bus/MRT links.
- East Coast / Katong – Family‑friendly, near the beach, and a good mix of cafés and restaurants; popular with European expats.
Use Homejourney’s Property Search to filter rentals and sales by these districts, then layer in budget and commute time so you can live near your favourite Swedish food spots without compromising on convenience.
4. Rental market overview
For most new arrivals from Sweden, renting first is the safest way to get to know Singapore’s neighbourhoods before committing to a purchase.
Typical lease terms are 12–24 months, with a security deposit usually equal to one month’s rent per year of lease.
Homejourney verifies listing information and encourages landlords and agents to upload accurate floorplans, photos and pricing history, reducing the risk of bait‑and‑switch listings and helping you compare options with clear data.
If you plan to buy later, our Bank Rates page helps you compare mortgage packages and interest rates from major banks in one trusted dashboard, so you can model how your monthly repayments compare to your current Swedish rent or mortgage.
Practical settling‑in guide for Swedish and Nordic expats
1. Banking and finances
Opening a local bank account usually requires your passport, work pass (or in‑principle approval), and proof of address such as a tenancy agreement.
Most major banks offer multi‑currency accounts, which are handy if you are moving funds from SEK to SGD or being paid in multiple currencies.
