Company formation in Sweden is simple if our lawyers prepare and take care of all the documentation for you to start business in Sweden quickly. Our Stockholm office provides a wide range of corporate and legal services tailored to fit your needs. We can provide a turnkey solution with all the necessary business services.
Company Formation in Sweden
Company Formation in Sweden
How we can Support You in Starting Business in Sweden:
Setting up a new limited liability company, including new shelf companies ready for business
VAT, F-tax and trade union registrations, including on-going accounting and reporting
Registered office address, registered agent and local representative service, banking support
We will help you choose the most efficient and cost-effective way to start your business in Sweden. In most cases we recommend acquiring a newly established shelf company (without activity) in Sweden due to the hidden bureaucracy. We also provide full support for VAT and other tax registrations processing.
In all cases, the setup can be completed remotely without the need to travel. We take care of all the documentation, ensuring everything is set up quickly and smoothly so you can start your business with ease. Get your free case evaluation today and receive a personalized price quote! »
Company in Sweden
We'll get you started in Sweden!
We have helped hundreds of businesses to set up in Sweden. We offer time and cost efficient remote setup packages with no travel needed. Our pricing for company formation in Sweden starts from 1980 euros.
Priced from 1980 euros
Company setup from 10 days
New shelf companies available
Accounting & payroll services
VAT, F-tax and other registrations
Swedish Limited Liability Company (AB) Setup and Services
The Swedish limited liability company (Aktiebolag or AB in Swedish) is the most popular business structure, as shareholders are not personally liable for the company’s obligations. Per request we can also support with setting up a branch office, public limited company, trading partnership or a non-profit association.
There are no restrictions on the residency of the shareholder(s), but there are some limitations for the board members located outside of the European Economic Area. It is required to have 1 management board member and 1 deputy member who are residents of the EEA. It is however possible to manage this requirement by applying for an exemption from the registry. Further, a local registered agent with a Swedish ID code has to be appointed in case there are no Swedish residents in the management board.
Company formation in Sweden can be completed remotely with a Power of Attorney (PoA) issued to us or by scheduling an appointment in our Stockholm office. We will recommend the most optimal solution per the specific situation. We also prepare all the legal documentation and submit the necessary applications, requiring only basic information from you. It typically takes 5-15 business days from submission for the registry to finalize, whilst tax registrations processing can take additional time.
We have helped hundreds of international companies with their company setup in Sweden, while also offering expert banking advisory for local bank accounts and assistance with licensing and regulatory compliance. With our experience and tailored approach, we ensure a smooth and efficient process for every business.
What are the steps?
Step 1: Get in touch for consultation
Let us know of your target objectives and we propose the best solution for your consideration. Preliminary consultation and detailed price quotes are free of charge.
Step 2: We take care of everything
We prepare all legal documentation and forward for your signatures. As an option we offer full remote service, no travel is needed for the company formation in Sweden.
Step 3: Start business in Sweden
We take care of all applications and set up any corporate services needed. We notify you when the process is finalized and when your company in Sweden is ready for business.
Corporate Services in Sweden
We provide a full range of corporate services in Sweden including company formations, VAT and tax registrations, legal and tax advisory, virtual registered office, accounting&payroll, consultation in joining with trade unions, licensing and banking advisory. Corporate secretarial services on request.
Our virtual office service is a flexible solution for companies who do not need a physical office in Sweden. Our legal address in Stockholm will be used for registering with the Commercial Registry and as the administrative address for the company to receive postage. The postage sent to your company will be forwarded to you by e-mail (scanned copy) or by regular mail on request. We can also set up individual local telephone and fax numbers as well as a local domain name with web hosting for your company.
Our accounting department can take care of all of your Swedish company bookkeeping, as well as consult about financial and tax questions. The monthly cost of bookkeeping depends on the company profile, for example on the number of transactions and payroll calculations. Financial statements have to be submitted annually while VAT returns and social tax declarations have to be submitted quarterly.
We work with several banks (e.g. Swedbank) to ensure the most time efficient opening of a business bank account for your company in Sweden. To set up the account, a board member has to be present for a face to face meeting during the first application stage. The payment card and online banking security token are received in the second stage. Our compliance team will consult on choosing the best bank for your business and provide support through the account opening process.
If all members of the board of directors are residing outside of Sweden then the company must have a contact person in Sweden who can accept correspondence with the government on behalf of the company. This representative (delgivningsbar person) must be registered in the Swedish population register with a local ID code. Our team member can be appointed to fill this legal requirement.
The management board member (styrelseledamot) and deputy management board member (suppleant) of a Swedish limited company must reside within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). Half of the company’s board members must also reside within the EU/EEA and the same rule applies for the deputy board members. Please note that the requirements concern residency, not citizenship. If you cannot fulfil the requirements of residence you must apply for exemption. We can support in preparing, submitting and processing your exemption application.
A statutory audit is required in Sweden if, for both of the two most recent financial years, a company has exceeded more than one of the following thresholds:
- Average annual headcount exceeds 3 employees
- Total assets on the balance sheet exceed SEK 1.5 million (approx. EUR 136,000)
- Net turnover exceeds SEK 3 million (approx. EUR 273,000)
Smaller companies that do not exceed more than one of these criteria over two consecutive years may choose to opt out of the statutory audit requirement. Public limited companies and certain regulated entities remain subject to mandatory audit regardless of size.
Taxation Basics in Sweden
We have outlined the key non-binding corporate taxation points in Sweden. For personalized tax consultation related to your situation, please contact us to schedule a meeting with our Sweden-based tax specialist.
The standard corporate income tax rate in Sweden is 20.6% and applies to the taxable income of corporate entities. Resident legal entities are subject to tax on their worldwide income, unless exemptions or limitations apply under domestic law or applicable tax treaties. Non-resident entities are taxed only on income sourced in Sweden, typically through a permanent establishment or presence.
Sweden generally levies a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders. The withholding tax rate may be reduced under an applicable double tax treaty. In addition, dividends paid to qualifying corporate shareholders resident in the EU or EEA may be exempt from withholding tax under Sweden’s participation exemption rules, subject to statutory conditions.
The standard VAT rate in Sweden is 25% and applies to most supplies of goods and services. VAT registration is generally required once annual taxable turnover exceeds SEK 120,000 (approximately EUR 10,900).
Sweden does not have a statutory national minimum wage. Instead, wage levels are primarily determined through collective agreements. Employer social security contributions generally amount to approximately 31.42% of gross wages, subject to certain age-related reductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have included the frequently asked questions for company formation and corporate services in Sweden and the appropriate answers.
What documentation is needed?
In order to register and process your order we ask for you your passport scan, residential address (w. utility bill) and contact details.
How long does it take?
It usually takes 5-15 business days for the Commercial Registry to process the company setup. The processing times are updated daily depending on the registry work-load. It is possible to check the latest status here: current processing times. It can take an additional 2-4 weeks for certain tax registrations such as the VAT registration depending on the workload of the local governmental authorities.
Do I have to come to Sweden?
The company setup procedures can be processed fully remotely with travel to Sweden not required.
Why prefer the shelf company?
The most cost and time efficient alternative to forming a new company from scratch is to acquire a shelf company, which is very common in Sweden. The advantage of the shelf company is that the business can start functioning at once and that the company already has a registration number. Further, we have already pre-registered the share capital payment, hence no separate transfers are needed at the setup phase. Only before the end of the first fiscal year the new management board has to transfer the share capital of 25 000 SEK to the company bank account for compliance. You may also find useful information here: starting business in Sweden.
What if I am not from the EU?
The Swedish commercial code sets forward the requirement to have 1 management board member and 1 board deputy member who are residents of the European Economic Area. It is possible to legally bypass this requirement by applying for an exemption from the registry. We have processed many such successful exemption applications for participants from Asia, Africa, Switzerland and USA.
How much does it cost?
Our pricing in Sweden starts at 1980 EUR. The final cost of your project will depend on further services required such as local registered office address, registered agent service or similar. Also the annual costs will depend on the list of required services. We would be glad to provide a detailed quote specific to your project.
Do I need registered office address?
Having a local registered office address is mandatory for every Swedish company and usually it can’t be a residential address. The legal address will be shown in the commercial registry and the official letters addressed to the company will be sent to this address. We provide a virtual registered office address as a service and forward the postage received as scanned copies to your e-mail.
Can I choose the company name?
Yes, you can choose the company business name. It is subject to registry availability. Usually 3 business name options are provided to the registry and the registry provides their final confirmation on one. You may check availability for the name: Bolagsverket or Allabolag.se
How do I open the bank account?
There is no shortage of international and local banks in Sweden and banking systems are highly advanced, however opening a bank account can be challenging and take time. It is not possible to open the bank account by proxy or by Power of Attorney, a face to face meeting is required at the bank. However, as a solution for a quick start it is also possible to open with a fintech bank in the European Union which can be done online with no visit needed and then proceed to opening with a local traditional bank in Sweden in later steps.
What about reporting requirements?
Irrespective of size, the Swedish limited company has to file annual accounts with the commercial registry once a year. Small companies are exempted from the requirement of appointing an auditor. VAT returns and social tax declarations have to be submitted quarterly. Our accounting department can take care of all reporting requirements on your behalf.
How to register for VAT?
We support in preparation and submission for VAT registration and all other necessary tax registries on your behalf.
How do I get started?
In the first step please let us know of your objectives for setting up a company in Sweden. In the second step we propose the best solution with a step-by-step overview and a detailed price quote for company formation in Sweden. In the third step we take care of all legal documentation and applications.
Questions? Our Legal Team would be Glad to Assist!
For any questions regarding company formation in Sweden, please reach out through the contact form below. To receive an overview of the procedures and pricing, kindly provide preliminary details, such as the number of participants in your company structure and their country of residency. Our country manager can then respond with a tailored indication including information on the procedures, timelines, and a pricing breakdown.
Contact details
Our office in Sweden is located in central Stockholm. Please schedule an appointment beforehand to be connected with our country manager.
E-mail us at sweden@maxcorp.eu
Call our head office at +372.50.43.245
Stockholm office address:
Kammakargatan 47, 11124 Stockholm, Sweden