How to Register a Company in Sweden
The complete, practical guide to choosing the right structure and getting your Swedish company registered correctly from day one — covering Bolagsverket, Skatteverket, F-skatt, and moms.
Quick Answer
Most serious founders register an aktiebolag (AB) — a limited liability company. You register online at verksamt.se with a minimum share capital of 25,000 SEK. The process takes 1–3 weeks and costs 2,200 SEK in registration fees. After registration, you separately apply for F-skatt and moms registration through Skatteverket.
Which company structure should you choose?
Sweden has five main business structures. Most founders will choose between the first two.
Aktiebolag (AB)
Most recommended- →Limited liability — your personal assets are protected
- →Minimum share capital: 25,000 SEK
- →Can have multiple shareholders
- →More credible with larger clients and banks
- →Required for investment rounds
- →More administrative overhead (annual reports, board minutes)
Enskild firma (Sole trader)
Simple, but limited- →No separation between you and the business
- →You are personally liable for all debts
- →No minimum capital required
- →Simple setup and lower admin
- →Cannot have employees easily
- →Hard to scale or bring in partners
Handelsbolag / Kommanditbolag (HB/KB)
Partnership- →Requires at least two partners
- →Partners share unlimited liability (HB) or one partner has limited liability (KB)
- →Rarely the right choice for a growing business
If you are building something you intend to grow, hire for, or eventually sell — register an AB. The 25,000 SEK share capital is not a cost, it is yours. It sits in the company account and can be used for business expenses.
Step-by-step: How to register an Aktiebolag (AB)
Choose and verify your company name
Your company name must be unique and not too similar to existing companies. Search the Bolagsverket name database at bolagsverket.se to check availability. The name must end in 'AB' (e.g., Lynkrr AB). Avoid names that are purely descriptive or could be confused with government agencies.
Prepare share capital: 25,000 SEK minimum
Before you can register, the share capital must exist. Open a bank account in the company's name (some banks allow this before registration), deposit the 25,000 SEK, and obtain a bank confirmation letter. Alternatively, some founders use a lawyer or formation agent who holds the capital in escrow.
Draft your articles of association (bolagsordning)
The bolagsordning is your company's governing document. It must include: company name, registered address (municipality), share capital range, share count range, and business description. Keep the business description broad — 'conducting business within consulting, technology, and related activities' is better than something narrow that limits you later.
Appoint a board
An AB requires at least one board member and one deputy (unless the board has three or more members). All board members must be EU/EEA residents, or you need a special permit. The CEO can be the same person as the board chair in a small company.
Register at verksamt.se
Go to verksamt.se and follow the registration wizard. You will need BankID (Swedish digital ID) to sign the application. The registration fee is 2,200 SEK, paid online. You will upload your bolagsordning and bank confirmation of share capital. Most applications are processed within 1–3 weeks.
Register for F-skatt and moms with Skatteverket
This step is separate from Bolagsverket registration and is often skipped by first-time founders — which causes serious problems. As soon as your AB is registered, apply for F-skatt (so clients don't have to deduct tax from your invoices) and moms registration (VAT) if you expect turnover above 30,000 SEK/year. This is also done via verksamt.se.
Open a business bank account
You will need a corporate bank account separate from your personal finances. Swedish banks that work well for startups include Swedbank, SEB, Handelsbanken, and digital alternatives like Qred or Pleo for expense management. Bring your registration certificate (registreringsbevis) from Bolagsverket to the bank appointment.
The most common mistakes founders make
✗ Skipping F-skatt registration
Without F-skatt, every client you invoice must deduct 30% preliminary tax from your payment and pay it directly to Skatteverket. This creates massive paperwork for your clients — and most will simply refuse to work with you.
✗ Choosing too narrow a business description
If your bolagsordning says 'software development', you technically cannot invoice for consulting or design work. Write broadly from the start.
✗ Not registering for moms
If your turnover exceeds 30,000 SEK in a 12-month period, you are legally required to register for moms. Many founders discover this late and face back-payments with interest.
✗ Mixing personal and company finances
This is illegal in Sweden. Every expense and income must flow through the company account and be properly documented. Paying a business supplier from your personal card without reimbursement documentation creates accounting and tax problems.
✗ Not keeping minutes of board decisions
Even a one-person AB is required to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) and keep written minutes of significant board decisions. This is not optional.
What it costs to register an AB in Sweden
After registration: what to do in your first 30 days
Once your AB is registered and your organisation number (organisationsnummer) is issued, work through this checklist:
- Confirm your F-skatt status with Skatteverket (you can check at skatteverket.se)
- Set up your moms reporting schedule (monthly, quarterly, or annual)
- Open a corporate bank account and transfer the share capital
- Set up accounting software (Fortnox is the Swedish standard)
- Create your first invoice template with your org number, moms number, and bank details
- Hold your founding board meeting and document the minutes
- Register with the Swedish pension authority (Pensionsmyndigheten) if you take salary
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to register a company in Sweden?
Online registration via verksamt.se takes 1–3 weeks for an aktiebolag (AB). Enskild firma registration is usually processed within a few days. If you submit a paper application, add another 1–2 weeks.
How much does it cost to register an AB in Sweden?
The Bolagsverket registration fee for an aktiebolag is 2,200 SEK online (2,900 SEK for paper applications). You also need a minimum share capital of 25,000 SEK, which must be deposited before registration.
Can a foreigner register a company in Sweden?
Yes. Non-Swedish residents can register a company in Sweden. You will need a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) or a co-ordination number (samordningsnummer) issued by Skatteverket. At least one board member with a Swedish address is required for an AB.
What is the difference between AB and enskild firma?
An aktiebolag (AB) is a limited liability company — your personal assets are protected if the company fails. An enskild firma is a sole trader structure with no legal separation between you and the business. Most serious founders choose AB for the liability protection and professional credibility.
Do I need an accountant to register a company in Sweden?
No, you can register yourself via verksamt.se. However, getting the share capital, articles of association, and tax registrations right from the start saves significant time and money later. Most founders who try to do it alone miss at least one registration step.
What is verksamt.se?
Verksamt.se is the Swedish government's official portal for starting, running, and closing businesses. It connects Bolagsverket, Skatteverket, and Tillväxtverket in one place. You can register your company, apply for F-skatt, and register for moms all through this portal.
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