So, you’ve settled down in Sweden. The fika is great, the air is clean, and things just work. But as an expat trying to run a business — whether it’s a webshop, consultancy, or tech startup — one thing might have caught your attention:
Hiring in Sweden is expensive and complex.
Between the high cost of living, strict labor laws, and social contributions, hiring locally can quickly drain your budget. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a local team to grow your business.
Thanks to modern tools and global talent, you can outsource much of your work and still maintain control — all while enjoying life in Stockholm, Malmö, or up in the forests of Västerbotten.
Here’s how.
Why Outsourcing Makes Sense in Sweden
Sweden is a wonderful place to live — but a tough one to bootstrap a business if you’re doing everything on your own.
- Salaries are high
- Hiring rules are strict
- Employee taxes and benefits are mandatory
- It’s hard to find niche specialists unless you’re in a big city
Outsourcing helps you sidestep all that. You can:
- Hire on demand (project-based or part-time)
- Access skilled professionals in countries with lower costs
- Avoid employment contracts and local bureaucracy
- Focus on growing — instead of micromanaging everything yourself
In short: you stay lean and agile, which is crucial when starting or scaling a business.
What Roles Can You Outsource?
Pretty much anything that can be done from a computer.
Here are some of the most common roles expats in Sweden outsource — especially if they’re running digital or service-based businesses:
1. Website & Ecommerce Developers
- WordPress Developer – for blogs, business sites, or service pages
- WooCommerce or Shopify Developer – for running your online store
- Prestashop Developer – if you sell to European markets
- Fullstack Developer – for more complex systems or custom platforms
These developers help you build, update, and maintain your site without you needing to write a single line of code.
2. App Developers
Want to build an iOS or Android app for your business idea?
Hiring locally can cost upwards of 40,000–60,000 SEK/month. Meanwhile, skilled offshore app developers in countries like India, the Philippines, or Eastern Europe can deliver the same results at a much lower rate — without sacrificing quality.
3. SEO & Marketing Experts
If nobody finds your business online, it doesn’t matter how good it is.
Outsourcing to a remote SEO expert or digital marketing manager can help you:
- Improve your Google rankings
- Drive more organic traffic
- Run effective ad campaigns (Google Ads, Meta, TikTok)
- Create a consistent content strategy
These are results-driven roles — perfect for outsourcing.
4. Content Creators & Product Writers
If you’re running an online shop or service business, your words matter.
You can outsource:
- Product descriptions
- Blog articles
- Email sequences
- Social media captions
Many Swedish expats hire writers from English-speaking countries or use services that provide vetted content creators with SEO knowledge.
5. Customer Support
When your business grows, answering every email or chat message becomes a time suck. But customers still expect quick replies.
Remote customer service agents can take care of:
- Order support
- Returns and refunds
- Product questions
- Social media responses
And yes — you can even find Swedish-speaking support staff through certain outsourcing services, if your customer base needs it.
“But What About Time Zones?”
This is a common concern — especially when hiring outside of Europe.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need 8 hours of overlap. Most expats make it work with 1–2 overlapping hours per day.
You can:
- Send tasks or updates in the evening
- Wake up to completed work in the morning
- Use async tools like Trello, Notion, or Google Docs to stay aligned
For many, the time zone difference actually boosts productivity.
How to Start Outsourcing (Safely)
You don’t need to jump into a full-time remote team from day one. Start small and scale up as you build trust.
Here’s how to do it smart:
- Start with a small project – Test the waters with a limited task or fixed-scope job.
- Use clear communication – Write simple briefs. Share screen recordings (Loom is great).
- Track work – Use tools like Trello or ClickUp to manage tasks.
- Set expectations early – Agree on working hours, response times, and feedback cycles.
- Consider using a trusted provider – Services like Move Marketing specialize in helping entrepreneurs find pre-vetted offshore developers and marketers.
What About the Cost?
Here’s a rough idea of what you might pay per month:
- WordPress Developer (part-time): 6,000–10,000 SEK
- Shopify Developer (full-time): 15,000–25,000 SEK
- SEO Expert: 8,000–18,000 SEK
- Marketing Manager (remote): 10,000–20,000 SEK
- App Developer (project-based): 20,000–40,000 SEK
Compare that to Swedish salary levels, and the savings are significant — especially when you’re just starting out.
Real-Life Example: From Stockholm to Global
Anna, an expat in Stockholm, runs a sustainable fashion store online. Instead of hiring locally, she works with:
- A Shopify developer from Georgia (the country)
- A product writer from South Africa
- A virtual assistant in the Philippines
- An SEO strategist based in Poland
Together, they help her grow her brand — while she stays focused on her customers and vision.
Final Thoughts
Sweden offers you stability, comfort, and a great quality of life. But when it comes to building a business here, outsourcing can be your secret weapon.
You don’t need to hire a local team to get great results. You just need the right people — wherever they are in the world.
So whether you’re launching your first online store, building a tech product, or growing your freelancing business, start outsourcing smarter.
It’ll save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress — so you can enjoy the Swedish lifestyle and run a thriving business at the same time.