Foreign citizens

If you're a foreign citizen and want to start a company in Sweden, various rules are applicable depending on whether:

  • you're a citizen of the Nordic region
  • you're a citizen of another EU/EEA country
  • you're a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA.

There's information here to help you get up and running quickly on starting your company.

Nordic region citizens

Nordic region citizens - that is, citizens from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland - who want to live and remain in Sweden don't need to register with the Migration Authority or apply for a residence permit in order to start a company in Sweden.

  • Register your company: You apply to the Swedish Tax Agency for corporation tax and VAT registration and register your company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.
  • Swedish Tax Agency: When you apply to the Swedish Tax Agency for corporation tax and VAT registration, you must submit a certified copy of your passport or another ID document.
  • Swedish Companies Registration Office: You get in touch with the Swedish Companies Registration Office to register your company. Depending on the type of company you choose to set up, there are differing requirements for country of residence for the company's Board members and partners, for example. 

In some instances, the company has to register a person who may receive judicial service (limited company, cooperative associations and branches) or a principal (sole trader).

Citizens of another EU/EEA country - residence permit

If you're an EU/EEA citizen, you're entitled to reside in Sweden. This means that you're allowed to remain in Sweden without a residence permit. On entry into Sweden, you have to have a valid passport or an identity card which indicates your citizenship. Anyone entitled to reside in Sweden must register with the Migration Authority within three months of entry into the country.

Citizens outside the EU/EEA - residence permit

If you're in Sweden for more than three months in order to start or run a company, or if you become a co-owner of a company, you have to have a residence permit. This residence permit must be clear and entered in your passport before you enter Sweden. You can apply for a residence permit at an embassy or consulate in your home country at least three months before coming to Sweden.

Residence permit requirements

  • Your company plans have to be realistic. Your company will also be expected to achieve satisfactory profitability.
  • You must have documentation which proves that you have the capital needed to set up or buy a company in Sweden.
  • You must have enough of your own money to support yourself and your family over your first year in Sweden.
  • You must submit a thorough report on your company plans. You must enclose a marketing plan, a profit and liquidity budget and a budgeted balance sheet with your application. You also have to describe customer contacts, bank connections, your experience in the industry and your education and training, for example.
  • If you've bought a company which is already established, you must enclose the last two sets of annual accounts.

Registering as a business owner

You complete a form with a request to register your entitlement to remain in Sweden. You must enclose certified copies of a valid passport or identity card. You must also enclose documentation on your plans to start a company, such as a business plan, rental contract, company registration, corporation tax certificate and budget. You must be able to prove that you've come a long way in your preparations, but your company doesn't have to have started trading.

Register your company first

To be able to register as a business owner with the Migration Authority, you must be able to present a registration certificate for your company or other documents that prove you have your own company. As a sole trader, there are no rules which state that you have to register your company, but if you've chosen any other type of company you have to get in touch with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Swedish Tax Agency to register your company before you get in touch with the Migration Authority.

Temporary assignments

If you're going to provide a service on a temporary basis, e.g. as a consultant or freelancer, you have to be able to confirm this by means of a certificate, agreement or similar. This document must indicate what kind of service you'll be providing and how long you'll be providing it. The document has to be drafted and signed by the person receiving the service. Your residence permit will remain valid as long as you continue in this position.