Moving in Stockholm usually costs 1,000 to 1,800 SEK per hour before the RUT deduction, roughly 500 to 900 SEK after (2026 estimates). For a two-room flat the total typically lands at 2,500 to 4,500 SEK after RUT. Here is what drives the price and which surcharges tend to surprise people.
Rough costs by home size
Estimates for a move within Stockholm, with two movers and a vehicle:
| Home | Approx. time | Before RUT | After RUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 room + kitchen | 3–4 h | 3,500–6,000 SEK | 1,750–3,000 SEK |
| 2 rooms | 4–6 h | 5,000–9,000 SEK | 2,500–4,500 SEK |
| 3 rooms | 6–9 h | 8,000–14,000 SEK | 4,000–7,000 SEK |
| House or 5 rooms | 10–14 h | 15,000–25,000 SEK | 7,500–12,500 SEK |
These are estimates, not quotes. Two identical flats can differ by hours depending on elevator access, carrying distance and how well packed everything is when the movers arrive.
Fixed price or hourly?
Hourly is most common for smaller moves. You pay for actual time, which is cheap if everything is packed and accessible, and expensive if anything drags.
Fixed price requires the company to have properly surveyed the home, ideally in person or by video. It gives predictability and shifts the risk to them. Be cautious about a fixed price quoted without anyone seeing the home, as those usually carry conditions in the small print.
Ask for a written quote either way, with the labour cost on its own line. Without that, the RUT deduction cannot be verified.
What drives the price
- Volume. The number of rooms determines both time and vehicle size, and is the single largest factor.
- Floor and elevator. A fourth floor with no elevator can add hours. Many companies charge a stair surcharge.
- Carrying distance. How far it is between the door and the vehicle. If they cannot park close, that costs time and sometimes a fee.
- Date. Month-end and summer are the most expensive. See the moving checklist.
- Heavy items. Pianos, safes, aquariums and stone worktops are priced separately.
- How packed you are. If you are not finished when the movers arrive, you pay for their time to wait.
Surcharges worth asking about
These are the lines that most often appear only on the final invoice:
- Call-out fee, and sometimes a return fee
- Stair surcharge per floor when there is no elevator
- Evening, weekend and public holiday rates
- Parking fees or the cost of booking a loading bay
- Disposal of furniture you are not taking
- Storage, if the dates do not line up
- Packing materials, if you did not buy your own
Ask directly: "What surcharges can be added on top of this quote?" A serious answer is specific.
How the RUT deduction works out
RUT is 50 percent of the labour cost, up to 75,000 SEK per person per year (Skatteverket). The company applies it directly on the invoice, so you pay the reduced amount.
Worked example for a two-room move:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Labour, 5 h × 1,400 SEK | 7,000 SEK |
| RUT deduction, 50% of labour | −3,500 SEK |
| Moving boxes (materials, no deduction) | 600 SEK |
| Call-out fee (no deduction) | 700 SEK |
| Total to pay | 4,800 SEK |
Note that the deduction applies only to the labour line. Materials and the call-out fee sit outside it, which is exactly why the invoice must itemise them.
If two adults live in the household you each have your own 75,000 SEK ceiling, as long as the invoice is split and both are named as payers. More in our guide to the RUT deduction.
When is it cheapest?
- Most expensive: the 30th and 31st, month-end generally, and May to August
- Cheapest: mid-month, Tuesday to Thursday, October to March
Moving on a Tuesday in October instead of the last weekend of July can cut the price more than switching companies. If your contract allows it, the date is the cheapest lever you have.
Getting a quote that holds
- Get three quotes on the same brief, or you are comparing apples to oranges
- Describe the home honestly: square metres, floor, elevator, carrying distance, heavy items
- Ask for the labour cost separately from materials and call-out
- Check the company has approved F-skatt, or the RUT deduction is lost
- Ask what the insurance covers, and up to what amount
How to vet a company is covered in choosing a moving company.
Two ways to lose the deduction
Paying cash. Since 2020, ROT and RUT require electronic payment: card, Swish, BankID or a bank transfer. Cash means the deduction is lost entirely, however properly the work was done.
Hiring a relative. The person doing the work must not be related to you. That covers a spouse, cohabiting partner, parents, children, siblings and their families. More in the RUT deduction.
Common questions
What does moving in Stockholm cost?
Usually 1,000 to 1,800 SEK per hour before RUT (2026 estimates), roughly 500 to 900 SEK after. A two-room flat typically lands at 2,500 to 4,500 SEK after RUT.
What affects the price most?
Volume and time, then floor and elevator access, carrying distance, and the date.
Fixed price or hourly?
Fixed price gives predictability when the home has been surveyed. Hourly can be cheaper for small moves.
What hidden costs should I watch for?
Call-out fees, stair surcharges, long carrying distance, heavy items, evening and weekend rates, and disposal.
How much is the RUT deduction for moving in 2026?
50 percent of the labour cost, up to 75,000 SEK per person per year (Skatteverket).
What does RUT not cover?
Boxes, storage, disposal and call-out fees. Only the labour qualifies.
Is VAT included in the price?
For consumers, normally yes. Check the labour cost is on its own line.
Related guides: choosing a moving company, the RUT deduction and moving checklist for Sweden. Back to moving in Stockholm.