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Moving to Sweden to start a business

Moving to Sweden to start a business

If you are a foreign citizen and want to start your own business in Sweden, the rules that apply vary depending on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country.

Everyone in Sweden, who has been registered in the Swedish population register, has been assigned a unique personal identity number. This indicates the person’s date of birth and other information.

If you are not or have not previously been registered in the Swedish population register, you can instead obtain a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). The coordination number is a temporary personal identity number that you will need, for example, when you apply for F-tax registration.

Personal identity numbers and coordination numbers at the Swedish Tax Agency

Who applies for the coordination number?

The government agency you are dealing with will order a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency. If you need a coordination number because you have a connection to Sweden, and no government authority has requested one on your behalf, you can request one yourself by visiting one of the Swedish Tax Agency’s service centres.

Contact the Swedish Tax Agency

1. Decide on the business type

Before you start a business, you must first decide on the business type. The most common business type to start with is a sole trader. That means that you, as a private individual, own, operate and are responsible for the business. You will be personally responsible for paying your taxes and social insurance contributions, known as “personal contributions” (egenavgifter).

2. Register the company

If you intend to operate as a sole trader, you are not required to register your company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket). However, registration does protect the company name. If you do not register, someone else might register a company with the same name.

If you are going to start a limited company, a trading partnership, limited partnership or economic association, you must register your company with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Choose business type and register

3. Register with the Swedish Tax Agency

All companies must register with the Swedish Tax Agency. When you register, you can apply for F-tax approval, register for business VAT, and register as an employer.

Tax registration at the Swedish Tax Agency

Registered Societas Europaea, European Cooperative Societies, and European Economic Interest Groupings can transfer their registered office to another member state within the EU.

For more information please contact: bolagsverket@bolagsverket.se

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