"The Best Side Hustles in Sweden: Earning Extra Income in Scandinavia"

"The Best Side Hustles in Sweden: Earning Extra Income in Scandinavia"

The Best Side Hustles in Sweden: Earning Extra Income in Scandinavia

With Sweden’s booming creative industry, freelancing in graphic design, writing, photography, or web development can be highly rewarding. Many companies and individuals seek skilled freelancers for projects.

Best Platforms:

• Upwork: Ideal for global freelancing opportunities.

• Fiverr: Perfect for short-term creative gigs.

• Toptal: Targets experienced professionals in tech and design.

1. Freelancing in Creative Fields

2. Language Tutoring

Sweden's multicultural environment creates a demand for language tutors, especially for English and Swedish learners. Whether you’re teaching online or in person, tutoring offers excellent hourly rates and flexible schedules.

Best Platforms:

• Italki: Connects tutors with students worldwide.

• Preply: Offers structured teaching opportunities.

• Superprof: Popular for local Swedish tutoring.

3. Ridesharing and Food Delivery

Urban hubs like Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg are thriving centers for ridesharing and food delivery. Whether you drive a car or bike, this side hustle offers flexibility and consistent demand.

Best Platforms:

• Uber: Ideal for ridesharing.

• Bolt: Another ridesharing option gaining popularity in Sweden.

• Foodora & Wolt: Leaders in food delivery with wide coverage.

4. E-commerce and Dropshipping

Swedes are avid online shoppers, and the nation’s focus on sustainability and quality provides opportunities to sell unique or eco-friendly products. Dropshipping eliminates the need for inventory management.

Best Platforms:

• Shopify: Excellent for setting up an online store.

• Printful: Great for custom merchandise dropshipping.

• Etsy: Perfect for handmade or vintage items.

5. Handicrafts and Homemade Products

The Swedish market values sustainability and creativity. If you excel in crafts like woodworking, knitting, or jewelry making, selling handmade goods can be a fulfilling and lucrative side hustle.

Best Platforms:

• Etsy: A global marketplace for handmade products.

• Tradera: Sweden's popular auction platform.

• Instagram/Facebook Marketplace: For local and niche sales.

6. Social Media Management

Small businesses and startups in Sweden often seek help managing their social media presence. If you’re skilled at creating content, engaging audiences, and boosting brand visibility, this could be the perfect side hustle.

Best Platforms:

• LinkedIn: To connect with Swedish businesses seeking freelancers.

• Upwork: For international and local social media gigs.

• Canva: A tool to streamline content creation.

7. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Swedes are passionate about their pets, and many are willing to pay for trusted care. Pet sitting or dog walking can be a great way to earn extra income while spending time with furry friends.

Best Platforms:

• Rover: Connects you with pet owners in your area.

• DogBuddy: Focused on dog walking and boarding services.

• Facebook Groups: Local communities often post pet care requests.

8. Renting Out Property or Items

Swedes embrace the sharing economy, making platforms that allow you to rent out apartments, tools, or even your car highly popular.

Best Platforms:

• Airbnb: Perfect for short-term property rentals.

• Hygglo: Rent out tools, gadgets, and more.

• SnappCar: Share your car for extra income.

9. Online Surveys and Market Research

Participating in surveys and market research is a simple way to make some extra money in your free time. While it doesn’t pay as much as other hustles, it requires minimal effort.

Best Platforms:

• Toluna: A reliable platform for surveys.

• YouGov: Offers surveys tailored to your profile.

• M3 Panel: Popular in Sweden for local market researc

10. Virtual Assistant Services

Businesses and entrepreneurs often seek virtual assistants to handle administrative tasks, social media management, or email communication. This side hustle offers flexibility and consistent demand.

Best Platforms:

• Fancy Hands: Ideal for beginners in virtual assistance.

• Belay: Targets professionals looking for consistent work.

• TaskRabbit: Includes virtual and in-person assistant tasks

Final Thoughts

The key to a successful side hustle in Sweden is identifying what aligns with your skills, interests, and schedule. With platforms simplifying access to opportunities, starting a side hustle has never been easier. Whether you’re freelancing, tutoring, or renting out your property, Sweden’s thriving economy and digital-first mindset make it the perfect place to maximize your potential.

frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is a side hustle?

A side hustle is any work or business activity undertaken to earn additional income outside your main source of employment or studies. It can range from freelancing to managing a small online store.

2. How much can I earn before paying taxes on a side hustle in Sweden?

All income earned in Sweden is taxable, including from side hustles. However, there’s a tax-free threshold (around SEK 20,431 in 2024) for income from occasional activities. Earnings above this threshold must be declared to Skatteverket.

3. Are side hustle earnings treated differently from regular job income?

No, side hustle income is generally treated the same as salary income. You must report it when filing your annual income tax return. If you’re self-employed, you might also need to pay social security contributions.

4. How can I balance a side hustle with my main job?

To balance both, set clear boundaries by allocating specific hours to your side hustle. Prioritize time management and ensure your side hustle doesn’t interfere with your primary job or personal life.