Foreign Projects in Sweden – The Countries Sending the Most Workers

Which countries send the most workers to projects in Sweden?

Sweden is an important market for international construction, industrial, energy, and technology projects. Every year, thousands of foreign companies send personnel to Sweden to work for shorter or longer periods.

For companies, this doesn't just mean planning the project itself. Personnel working in another location also need somewhere to live.

In 2025, 74,932 posted workers were employed in Sweden, according to statistics from the Swedish Work Environment Authority. This was about 6,300 more than the previous year.

But which countries actually send the most workers to Sweden?

The Five Largest Countries in 2025

Statistics from the Swedish Work Environment Authority show that Germany, Poland, and Lithuania account for a very large portion of the posted workforce in Sweden.

CountryPosted workers in Sweden 2025Germany10,420Poland10,318Lithuania10,074Finland4,981India4,724

Germany accounted for approximately 14 percent of the total number, Poland for about 14 percent, and Lithuania for about 13 percent. Together, these three countries thus accounted for just over 40 percent of all registered posted workers in Sweden during the year.

1. Germany

Germany was the country that sent the most posted workers to Sweden in 2025, with 10,420 people.

German companies are active in several parts of Swedish industry, technology, installation, and construction. When larger projects are carried out, companies may need to relocate technicians, fitters, engineers, and other specialists to Sweden for several weeks or months.

For such projects, access to furnished corporate housing in Sweden becomes an important part of the planning.

2. Poland

Poland was very close to Germany with 10,318 posted workers.

Polish companies and work teams have long been an important part of the Swedish construction and installation market, in particular.

For longer projects, companies often look for alternatives to traditional hotels. A furnished house or a corporate apartment where several colleagues can live together can be both more practical and more cost-effective.

3. Lithuania

Lithuania had 10,074 posted workers in Sweden in 2025.

The country also accounted for the largest increase compared to the previous year, with about 2,000 more workers.

This shows how quickly demand can change when new construction, industrial, and installation projects start across Sweden.

4. Finland

Finland accounted for 4,981 posted workers.

The increase from Finland was particularly evident in 2025 and, according to the Work Environment Authority, was mainly concentrated in northern Sweden.

When major industrial and infrastructure investments are made in northern Sweden, the need for temporary accommodation can increase sharply in a relatively short time.

5. India

India accounted for 4,724 posted workers in Sweden.

Here, the demand may look different compared to, for example, Poland and Lithuania. International specialists in IT, engineering, technology, and consulting may need furnished apartments for longer assignments.

Construction and Industry Dominate

Mainly two sectors drive a large part of the international project activity.

In 2025, there were:

• 34,407 people in construction

• 21,122 people in manufacturing industry

• 6,496 people in information and communication

• 4,533 people in legal, financial, scientific, and technical services

Construction alone accounted for approximately 46 percent of the posted workers, while manufacturing accounted for about 28 percent.

This means that almost three out of four posted workers were in construction or manufacturing.

These are also sectors where projects often require work teams to move between different cities and workplaces.

Where in Sweden do Most Posted Workers Live?

Demand is not evenly distributed across the country.

The five counties with the most posted workers in 2025 were:

CountyNumber of workersStockholm County17,066Västra Götaland County15,672Norrbotten County14,695Gävleborg County7,181Skåne County6,267

Stockholm and Västra Götaland are expected to be large markets due to the size of the regions and the number of companies.

More noteworthy is the development in Norrbotten, where the number of posted workers increased by approximately 64 percent in 2025. The Swedish Work Environment Authority links this development to construction investments and industrial projects, among other things.

This shows how large projects can quickly create a substantial need for staff accommodation in smaller and larger Swedish towns and cities.

Many Work in Sweden for Several Months

The need for corporate housing becomes particularly evident when looking at how long posted workers stay in Sweden.

The Work Environment Authority's estimate for 2025 shows, among other things:

• 30,498 workers: between 1 and 6 months

• 9,683 workers: between 6 and 12 months

• 3,727 workers: between 12 and 18 months

• 6,014 workers: longer than 18 months

This means that a large part of the international workforce doesn't just come to Sweden for a few days.

Many need accommodation for several months or even longer.

For companies, furnished apartments, houses, and other corporate accommodations can therefore be a more suitable alternative than hotels.

What do Companies Need to Consider When Arranging Accommodation?

When a company sends a work team to Sweden, the accommodation needs to be practical throughout the project period.

Common requirements include:

• Furnished accommodation

• Separate bed for each person

• Equipped kitchen

• Laundry facilities

• WiFi

• Parking

• Proximity to the project or workplace

• Flexible rental periods

• Option to extend the stay

For larger work teams, companies may also need several accommodations in the same area.

This can be difficult to arrange independently, especially when a project starts with short notice or is located in a smaller Swedish town.

Corporate Housing for International Projects in Sweden

Stayflow helps companies find furnished corporate housing and staff accommodation across Sweden.

This can range from a single consultant needing a furnished apartment to an international construction or industrial project with a larger work team.

We help companies with, for example:

• Corporate apartments

• Furnished apartments

• Furnished houses

• Staff accommodation

• Project accommodation

• Aparthotels

• Hotels and extended hotel stays

The goal is to make it easier for companies to find the right accommodation based on project location, number of people, budget, and time period.

A Growing Need for Flexible Accommodation

The statistics clearly show how international the Swedish project market has become.

Nearly 75,000 posted workers had assignments in Sweden in 2025, and a large proportion came from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, and India.

At the same time, construction, industrial, and technical projects are spread across the entire country.

As projects move, so does the need for accommodation.

One month, a company might need ten accommodations in Stockholm. The next project could be in Boden, Gothenburg, Gävle, Örebro, or Malmö.

This is why flexible corporate housing in Sweden has become an important part of the logistics surrounding international projects.

Does Your Company Need Accommodation for Staff in Sweden?

Is your company planning to carry out a project in Sweden?

Stayflow helps Swedish and international companies find suitable accommodation for employees, consultants, technicians, and project teams.

Submit location, dates, and number of people, and we will help you find a suitable option.

Request accommodation proposals – free of charge and without obligation.

Common Questions about Foreign Labor and Corporate Housing in Sweden

Which country sends the most workers to Sweden?

In 2025, Germany was the largest with 10,420 registered posted workers, followed by Poland and Lithuania.

How many posted workers are in Sweden?

In 2025, approximately 74,932 posted workers had a registered assignment in Sweden for at least one day.

Which industries have the most foreign project workers?

Construction is the largest, followed by manufacturing and information and communication.

Where in Sweden are most posted workers located?

Stockholm County had the most in 2025, followed by Västra Götaland County and Norrbotten County.

Can companies rent furnished accommodation for their employees?

Yes. Companies can use furnished apartments, houses, aparthotels, and other forms of accommodation for staff temporarily working in another location.

Does Stayflow help foreign companies with accommodation in Sweden?

Yes. Stayflow helps companies find furnished accommodation and staff housing for projects and longer work stays in various locations across Sweden.