Starting a Business in Sweden

If you are about to start up a business in Sweden, you need to register your business on Verksamt.

Verksamt External link.

Many Swedish authorities provide information on how to start a business in Sweden and an e-service for registration with several authorities at verksamt.se.

You can start a business in Sweden as:

a sole trader (Swedish: enskild näringsidkare), or
through a limited liability company (Swedish: aktiebolag),
a trading partnership (Swedish: handelsbolag),
a limited partnership (Swedish: kommanditbolag), or
an economic association (Swedish: ekonomisk förening).

Approval for Swedish F-tax

Most businesses active in Sweden apply for approval for Swedish F-tax. When your business is approved for F-tax, your customers do not have to deduct taxes on payments made to you for work performed in Sweden.

If you are a sole trader (in Swedish: enskild näringsidkare) you can find more information in the F-tax for the self-employed brochure (SKV 432B)

Tax registration

Once you have registered your business with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket), you need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency for taxation purposes.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to register for VAT (Value added tax, Swedish: Mervärdesskatt, Moms) and/or as an employer for PAYE.

If your business is liable for VAT, you are required to register for VAT. If you have employees (including yourself if you are working for a limited liability company) you need to register as an employer for Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

Seminars in English - Starting a business in Sweden

"Starting a business in Sweden part 1-3” are three individual online seminars, free of charge. The seminars provide you with basic information that you need to know about taxes and fees and how to report and pay them. Learn how to register your business, how to manage incomes and costs, how to use Skatteverket’s online services and how to submit returns. The seminars are broadcasted live, so you will have the opportunity to ask questions in our live chat. All business forms are welcome to join, but focus will be on tax rules for Limited companies and Sole traders. You do not need to follow the seminars in an order, but it is advisable to start with part 1 if you are less experienced in running a business.