Help and advice
The page was last modified:There are different authorities that you can turn to for support and advice at the start of your business.
- The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket)
- The Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket)
- The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen)
- The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)
- The Swedish Intellectual Property Office (Patent- och registreringsverket, PRV)
- The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket)
- The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan)
- The Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten)
- The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket)
- The Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket)
- Lantmäteriet
- Statistics Sweden (Statistikmyndigheten)
- Almi
The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket)
If you are going to work for longer than three months starting up and running your own business, or if you are becoming a part-owner of a company, you must have a residence permit. The Swedish Migration Agency will do a financial assessment of your business plans and if you can show that after the trial period of two years, your company’s finances are in balance and that you can support yourself and any family members. The Migration Agency will issue your residence permit.
The Migration Agency do not issue personal identity numbers or coordination numbers and do nor register the company.
If you already have a residence permit in Sweden or if you just want to start a company in Sweden but don't want to live in Sweden, you don't need a permit from the Migration Agency.
The Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket)
The Swedish Companies Registration Office is, in most cases, where you should begin the process of registering a new business. Electronic services, forms and information material are available from the Swedish Companies Registration Office website. You can also find out whether a business you are looking for exists by calling the Swedish Companies Registration Office or by using the e-service the Swedish Trade and Industry Register.
The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen)
The Swedish Public Employment Service offers services to those who want to start their own business. The Swedish Public Employment Service also helps you recruit employees. On the website you can publish job vacancies and search for candidates. You can chat with a recruitment expert about your recruitment needs.
The Swedish Tax Agency can help you register in the Swedish Population Register, registering a business for tax purposes, and apply for a Swedish identity card. The Swedish Tax Agency manages civil registration of private individuals and collects taxes such as personal income tax, corporate tax, VAT and excise tax.
The Swedish Intellectual Property Office (Patent- och registreringsverket, PRV)
The Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV) provides protection and sole rights for inventions, trademarks and designs. Information in the PRV register can help you conduct analyses of what is happening in your industry. PRV offers commissioned services in all areas.
The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket)
The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth offers knowledge, networks and financing to entrepreneurs. The authority works for sustainable growth and competitive companies in all parts of Sweden.
The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan)
The Swedish Social Insurance Agency provides information on sick pay, sickness benefits and parental benefits. It also has special web pages for employers. You can call one of the customer service centres or the self-service line to report illness, report the care of sick children, and order forms and certificates.
The Swedish Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten)
The Swedish Pensions Agency administers and pays out the national retirement pension, survivor’s pension and pension-related benefits. They also provide general as well as individual pension information.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket)
The Swedish Board of Agriculture is the administrative authority for programmes based on the governmental rural development policy. On their website, you will find information on various forms of support offered to entrepreneurs in rural areas. You will also find information on international trade in agricultural products and foodstuffs.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket)
The Swedish Work Environment Authority is tasked with ensuring that laws on working environment and working hours are followed by companies and organizations. No one should be hurt, get sick or die because of their work. The Swedish Work Environment Authority´s goal is to reduce the risks of ill-health and accidents in working life and to improve the working environment from a holistic perspective.
Lantmäteriet
Lantmäteriet can help you form a community association. Information about community associations are available on Lantmäteriet’s website. You can also call the authorithy’s customer center for help with questions concerning community associations and Lantmäteriet’s other activities.
Statistics Sweden (Statistikmyndigheten)
At Statistics Sweden’s website, you will find information and statistics relevant when starting or developing your business. There is also a search function to help you find the right industry codes (SNI codes) for your business. Moreover, you can submit data to Statistics Sweden via the website. They are happy to help you if you have any questions regarding data collection or Statistics Sweden’s Business Register.
Almi
Almi provides advice and answers questions about starting or buying a business. You can call their telephone advice line. The advice is free, but you must have a coordination number or a personal identity number.
The Center for new entrepreneurs (Nyföretagarcentrum)
At the Center for new entrepreneurs, you can get personal help with writing your business plan and making a budget plan. Go to your local office and get professional and start-up advice for free. Offices are located all around Sweden, find out on the website where your closest office is located.
Responsible: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth