For foreign citizens

Nordic citizens (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland) wishing to reside in Sweden do not need to register with the Swedish Migration Board or apply for a residence permit to start up a company in Sweden. If you are a Nordic citizen wishing to start up a company, you are subject to the same rules as Swedish citizens. You apply to the Swedish Tax Agency for F tax and VAT registration and register the company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Contact the Swedish Tax Agency

If you intend to stay in Sweden for up to six months and are not registered as a resident there, you will be allocated a coordination number by the Swedish Tax Agency. This is a temporary personal identity number, which you may need for F tax and other applications. When applying to the Swedish Tax Agency for F tax and VAT registration, send a certified copy of your passport or another ID document.

Contact the Swedish Companies Registration Office

Contact the Swedish Companies Registration Office to register your company. Depending on the type of company, there may be different requirements regarding the country of residence for directors and partners of the company, for example. In some cases, the company has to name a registered agent (Limited Liability Company, economic association, branch) or a manager (sole trader).

EU/EEA citizens

If you are resident in an EU/EEA country, you are entitled to residence in Sweden. This means you may stay in Sweden without a residence permit. A person with a right of residence must register with the Swedish Migration Board within three months of entry into the country. On arrival in Sweden, you need a valid passport or an identity card showing your nationality.

You then need to fill in a form requesting registration of your right of residence. The form must be accompanied by certified copies of a valid passport or identity card. You must also enclose documents showing that you fulfill the requirements to operate as a self-employed person.

Non EU/EEA citizens

If you plan to work for a period longer than three months to start up or run your own business or become a part owner of a company, you must have a residence permit, which you apply for at the Swedish Migration Board. As self-employed your are not allowed to take employment with any employer. You apply at a Swedish mission abroad in your native country or the country you are living in.

Register the company first

Before you can register with the Swedish Migration Board as self-employed, you must be able to show evidence of company registration or other documents showing that you have your own company. This is why it is important to contact the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the Swedish Tax Agency first to register your company.

Temporary assignments

If you will be providing a service on a temporary basis, as a consultant or freelancer, for example, you must provide documentary evidence such as a certificate or agreement. The document must show

• the type of service
• the length of time you will be offering the service.

The document must be in writing and signed by the recipient of the service. The residence permit applies for the duration of the service provision.