How does company registration work in Sweden?

Where do you register a business in Sweden?

Business registration in Sweden usually involves two authorities:

1. Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket)

Bolagsverket is the central authority responsible for:

• Registering companies and branches

• Maintaining the Swedish company register

• Issuing organization numbers and certificates of registration

All business entities except sole proprietorships must register with Bolagsverket to obtain legal status.

Note: Most registrations are submitted via Verksamt.se, a joint online portal operated by Bolagsverket, the Swedish Tax Agency, and other authorities.

2. Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)

In addition to company registration, businesses must register with Skatteverket for:

• F-tax

• VAT (if applicable)

• Employer contributions (if hiring staff)

2. Is registration mandatory for all business types?

Registration requirements depend on the legal form of the business.

a. Sole Proprietorship (Enskild näringsidkare)

Registration with Bolagsverket is not mandatory.

A sole proprietor can legally operate under their personal name without being listed in the company register.

Optional registration

• Many sole proprietors choose to register a business name (trading name) with Bolagsverket.

• This provides name protection within the county of registration.

• Using a name other than the owner’s exact personal name generally requires name registration.

Important notes

• A person can have only one sole proprietorship registered with the Swedish Tax Agency (using their personal identification number as the organization number).

• The same person can register multiple business names with Bolagsverket, each with different names, addresses, and registration dates.

Source: https://verksamt.se/en/setting-up/choose-business-type/sole-trader

b. General Partnership (Handelsbolag, HB)

Registration is mandatory.

A general partnership:

• Requires at least two partners

• Becomes a legal entity only after registration with Bolagsverket

• Receives an organization number upon registration

Note: This is the second most common legal form in North Data for Sweden.

c. Limited Partnership (Kommanditbolag, KB)

Registration is mandatory.

A limited partnership:

• Has at least one general partner (unlimited liability)

• Has at least one limited partner (liability limited to capital contribution)

• Is legally formed only after registration with Bolagsverket

Source: https://verksamt.se/en/setting-up/choose-business-type/trading-partnership

d. Limited Liability Company (Aktiebolag, AB)

Registration is mandatory for both private and public limited companies.

An AB is formed by registering with Bolagsverket and submitting:

• Articles of association

• Share capital documentation

Most Swedish companies are private limited companies (AB).

Private vs. Public Limited Companies in Sweden

Public limited companies are legally required to include “(publ)” in their company name.
However, this suffix is not always displayed in the official Bolagsverket registry, which can make identification difficult in practice.

e. Branch of a Foreign Company (Filial)

Registration is mandatory.

A foreign company operating in Sweden without forming a Swedish legal entity must register a branch:

• The branch is not a separate legal entity

• It must be registered with Bolagsverket

• It receives a Swedish organization number

f. Economic Association (Ekonomisk förening)

Registration is mandatory.

An economic association:

• Is a cooperative business form

• Requires at least three members

• Becomes a legal entity only after registration

• Has no fixed minimum capital requirement

How long does registration take?

Typical processing times when applying online:

What does registration cost?

Bolagsverket registration fees:

Source: https://verksamt.se/en/about-verksamt-se/fees