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Sweden to Turkey Relocation Guide 2026
Moving from Sweden
to Turkey: Complete Guide
Everything Swedish nationals need to know about relocating to Turkey — folkbokföring removal, Skatteverket, inkomstpension abroad, SINK status, Försäkringskassan, Swedish banking challenges, and your Turkish residence permit.
Quick Answer
What do Swedish citizens need to know about moving to Turkey?
Sweden's departure process is relatively straightforward compared to many countries — Sweden has limited exit tax rules. The main challenges are the folkbokföring removal, Swedish banking (most banks close non-resident accounts within 12 months), and the garantipension portability rules. The Sweden-Turkey DTA (1988) protects most income from double taxation. Alanya has Turkey's largest Swedish community.
- ›Submit SKV 7840 to remove folkbokföring — this establishes Swedish tax non-residency
- ›Notify Försäkringskassan and Pensionsmyndigheten before departure
- ›Swedish state pension (inkomstpension) paid abroad — 25% withholding, reduced under DTA
- ›Apply for SINK status for simpler Swedish tax filing as a non-resident
- ›Set up Wise before Swedish bank accounts close — most close within 12 months for non-residents
Innan du lämnar Sverige
Your Swedish departure checklist.
Sweden's departure requirements are manageable, but the banking challenge is real — act early on your banking transition. Complete these six steps before you leave.
Notify Skatteverket and remove folkbokföring
Notify Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) of your departure and complete the folkbokföring (population registration) removal using form SKV 7840. This is the key step for Swedish tax residency — removing yourself from the folkbokföring establishes that you are no longer domiciled in Sweden. Without this, Sweden can continue to claim unlimited tax residency over you based on your historical ties. Submit the form online via Mina sidor at skatteverket.se.
Notify Försäkringskassan
Inform Försäkringskassan (Swedish Social Insurance Agency) of your departure date. Swedish social insurance benefits — sickness benefits, parental benefits, child allowance — end on departure. Försäkringskassan also manages coordination of Swedish healthcare rights under EU/EEA agreements, but since Turkey is outside these agreements, your Swedish healthcare access ends on departure. Arrange Turkish private health insurance before leaving.
Notify Pensionsmyndigheten for pension
Contact Pensionsmyndigheten (Swedish Pensions Agency) to register your Turkish address for ongoing pension payments. Swedish inkomstpension (income-based state pension) is paid abroad. Non-residents have 25% withholding tax on Swedish pension payments, which the Sweden-Turkey DTA (1988) reduces. Apply for SINK (special income tax for non-residents) if you have ongoing Swedish income — this flat 25% rate is often simpler than standard assessment.
Understand Swedish banking restrictions
Most Swedish banks close personal accounts for non-residents within 12 months: Swedbank, SEB, Handelsbanken, and Nordea have all enforced this policy with varying timelines. Nordea International or Nordea's expat services may provide options. The most reliable solution is to move your primary banking to Wise (which provides a Swedish account number and IBAN) before your Swedish accounts close. Set up direct deposits and standing orders to Wise early.
Check occupational pension (ITP/SAF-LO) rules
Swedish occupational pensions (ITP for white-collar, SAF-LO for blue-collar) have provider-specific rules for non-resident payments. Most ITP and SAF-LO schemes continue to pay abroad when you reach retirement age — but check your specific agreement. Notify your pension provider of your Turkish address. If you are drawing an occupational pension already, confirm the payment terms for non-residents.
Handle Swedish property and investment income
Swedish-source investment income (dividends at 30% withholding, reduced to 15% under the DTA for non-residents) and rental income from Swedish property remains Swedish-taxable. If you retain Swedish shares or fund investments, apply for SINK status to simplify your annual Swedish tax position. Keep accurate records of your departure date for any Swedish capital gains tax positions — gains on Swedish property are taxable in Sweden for non-residents.
Pre-departure checklist
Full checklist for Swedish nationals.
Sweden's folkbokföring system and state pension structure require organised departure. The banking transition is the most practically challenging aspect for most Swedes.
Skatter & ekonomi
Sweden-Turkey DTA & SINK status.
The Sweden-Turkey double taxation convention (1988) prevents double taxation on all major income categories. Once you are a Turkish tax resident (183+ days), Swedish tax liability is limited to Swedish-source income: pension payments, dividends from Swedish companies (30%, reduced to 15% under the DTA), and rental income from Swedish property.
Sweden has relatively limited exit tax rules compared to Austria, Germany, or Norway. For most Swedish expats — even those with significant investments — the exit from Swedish tax residency is administratively straightforward, though capital gains on Swedish property assets retain Swedish taxation for non-residents.
SINK (special income tax for non-residents) is available for Swedes with ongoing Swedish income. The flat 25% SINK rate is deducted at source — you do not need to file a full Swedish income tax return. This simplifies the ongoing Swedish tax administration considerably.
Sweden-Turkey DTA (1988)
Comprehensive treaty. Swedish pensions taxed in Sweden. Dividends capped at 15% for portfolio holdings. Employment income of Turkish residents taxed in Turkey.
SINK status
Non-residents with Swedish income can apply for SINK — flat 25% tax deducted at source. Simpler than standard Swedish annual assessment. Apply via Skatteverket.
Inkomstpension abroad
Swedish state pension paid abroad without restriction. 25% withholding, reduced under DTA. Garantipension portability more restricted — check with Pensionsmyndigheten.
Swedish banking challenge
Most Swedish banks close non-resident accounts within 12 months. Transition primary banking to Wise early. Wise provides Swedish BankGiro/IBAN for pension and income receipt.
Var bosätter sig svenskar?
Best Turkish cities for Swedish expats.
Alanya
Alanya has by far Turkey's largest Swedish community. Swedish-language services, restaurants, social clubs, a Swedish church, and Swedish-speaking doctors and accountants make the transition from Sweden remarkably straightforward.
Antalya
Antalya offers Swedes who want more city infrastructure while remaining in the Western Mediterranean corridor. International airport, hospitals, shopping, and a large expat community including many Scandinavians.
Istanbul
Istanbul attracts Swedish professionals, digital nomads, and younger expats seeking a global city experience. Strong English, international coworking spaces, and a vibrant arts and food scene comparable to Stockholm.
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