How to start a business in Sweden: the English guide

Sweden does not require a general “business licence” to become self-employed. Instead, the process is built from a handful of registrations, and the exact set depends on which business structure is chosen. This guide is the English entry point to that process. It is not legal or tax advice; confirm details with Verksamt.se, the joint website of the Swedish government agencies for business.

Step 1: choose the business structure

Two structures cover most small businesses:

• Enskild firma (sole trader): no legal distinction between the owner and the business. No start-up capital required. Registration with Bolagsverket is voluntary in most cases, but registration with the Swedish Tax Agency is mandatory.
• Aktiebolag (limited company): a separate legal entity. The share capital of a private limited company must be at least SEK 25,000, and registration with Bolagsverket is what creates the company.

The comparison matters because liability, taxation, and administration differ: see enskild firma vs aktiebolag: choosing a structure.

Other structures exist (trading partnership, branch, economic association) and are described on Bolagsverket’s type of business pages.

Step 2: register

• Sole traders register with the Tax Agency (F-tax) and, optionally and in some cases mandatorily, with Bolagsverket. The step-by-step process is in how to register an enskild firma.
• Limited companies are formed through a documented formation process: memorandum of association, paid-in share capital, a bank certificate, and an application to Bolagsverket. Details in how to register an aktiebolag.

Step 3: tax registrations

Most businesses need an F-tax approval (F-skatt) before invoicing, and registration for VAT (moms) if turnover passes the threshold. Both are covered in how to apply for F-skatt and VAT for small businesses in Sweden.

Step 4: running obligations

Depending on structure: bookkeeping under the Bookkeeping Act, VAT returns, income declarations (see the Swedish small business forms guide and the 2026 tax deadlines), and, for limited companies, annual reports filed with Bolagsverket within seven months of the financial year end.

What it costs

• Enskild firma: no start-up capital; Bolagsverket registration fees apply only for the optional business-name registration.
• Aktiebolag: at least SEK 25,000 share capital plus a registration fee (SEK 2,700 on the paper application route; e-service prices differ).

Citizens of other countries

Foreign citizens can start businesses in Sweden, but some steps require a Swedish personal identity number or co-ordination number, and the online e-services require Swedish electronic identification. See starting a business in Sweden as a foreign citizen.