Explore Countries for Living & Doing Business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Find and compare the best jurisdictions for your business
Compare with other jurisdictions or get in touch for expert guidance.
Nordic innovation hub with strong startup ecosystem
Region
WESTERN EUROPE
Corporate Tax
20.6%
Setup Time
1 weeks
Currency
SEK
Sweden, a Nordic leader in innovation and startup creation, combines high living standards with entrepreneurial culture. The country's efficient company registration supports business setup in a sophisticated, high-trust environment.
With a population of 10.5 million, Sweden offers exceptional quality of life with social services. Swedish is official, with excellent English proficiency. The climate features long summers and dark winters.
Healthcare is excellent through the public system. Safety is very good. The cost of living is high, particularly in Stockholm.
The design heritage, outdoor culture, and progressive society attract international talent.
Corporate tax rate stands at 20.6%. Personal income tax reaches approximately 52% on higher incomes. VAT applies at 25% standard rate.
Sweden uses the krona. The startup ecosystem has produced numerous successes including Spotify and Klarna. The tech sector is highly developed. Manufacturing, particularly automotive, remains significant.
Company registration through Bolagsverket (Companies Registration Office) is efficient and digital. The AB (Aktiebolag, limited company) is standard. Foreign ownership faces no restrictions.
Company formation takes approximately 1-2 weeks. Minimum share capital is SEK 25,000 for private AB. At least one board member must be EEA-resident typically. Annual compliance includes audited accounts for larger companies.
The Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) registers virtual asset service providers. Sweden follows EU regulatory developments with established compliance requirements.
The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) regulates gambling following 2019 market re-regulation. The gambling license framework is well-established with clear licensing for qualified operators.
High costs suit knowledge-intensive operations. The winter darkness affects some people. Competition for tech talent is intense.
Banking access is excellent. Professional services are high quality.
Sweden suits technology companies, innovative startups, and businesses valuing Nordic ecosystem for their business setup.
Local: AB
Local: Publikt AB
Local: Filial
| Corporate Tax Rate | 20.6% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 52% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 25% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 30% |
| Withholding Tax | 30% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | No |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | EXCELLENT |
| Financial Privacy | LOW |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | No |
| Required Share Capital | $50,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | EU Travel Rule / FATF Travel Rule under MiCA |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan required including service descriptions, risk management framework, AML/CFT procedures, IT security measures, and operational plans |
| Personnel Required | Management with appropriate knowledge and experience, AML compliance officer, qualified board members |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Finansinspektionen maintains register of authorized CASPs |
| Renewal Period | Annual reporting requirements |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | No |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) |
| Licensing Fee | $0 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Under MiCA, Sweden operates CASP authorization through Finansinspektionen. Existing VASPs registered before 30 December 2024 must submit MiCA CASP application by 30 September 2025. Application fees and ongoing supervision fees apply. Transitional period extends to 1 July 2026. |
| Permitted Business Models | Crypto exchanges, custody services, crypto brokers, crypto trading platforms, transfer services, advisory services, portfolio management |
| Permitted Activities | Trading, custody, exchange services, transfer services, advice on crypto-assets, portfolio management, execution of orders |
| Restricted Activities | Services must comply with MiCA requirements; stablecoin issuance subject to additional requirements |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | No |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | No |
| Required Share Capital | $0 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A for gambling |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan including responsible gambling measures, player protection systems, AML procedures, technical platform specifications |
| Personnel Required | Qualified management with knowledge of gambling regulations, responsible gambling officer, AML compliance personnel |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Spelinspektionen maintains public register of licensed operators |
| Renewal Period | 5 years |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) |
| Licensing Fee | $264,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | SEK 264,000 for online gambling and betting licenses (as of January 2025). Annual supervision fees also apply. Lottery fees vary based on turnover. Processing time typically 3-6 months. |
| Permitted Business Models | B2C online casino, B2C sports betting, lottery operators, software providers (as of July 2023) |
| Permitted Activities | Online casino games, sports betting, poker, lotteries, horse racing betting |
| Restricted Activities | Land-based casinos banned from 1 January 2026. Credit card gambling banned from 1 April 2026. Bonus offers restricted to first-time players only. Marketing restrictions apply. |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $350,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan with multi-year financial projections, product descriptions, transaction volume forecasts, growth strategy, compliance frameworks |
| Personnel Required | CEO, CFO, Compliance Officer, AML Officer, qualified board members with clean background checks |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | Finansinspektionen maintains register of authorized financial institutions |
| Renewal Period | Annual reporting and ongoing supervision |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) |
| Licensing Fee | $405,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Payment Institution authorization: SEK 405,000 application fee, SEK 150,000 annual supervision fee. EMI authorization: SEK 378,000 application fee, SEK 150,000 annual supervision fee. Registered payment service provider exemption: SEK 232,500 for legal entities. Processing time typically 6-12 months. |
| Permitted Business Models | Payment Institution, Electronic Money Institution, Registered Payment Service Provider |
| Permitted Activities | Payment services, e-money issuance, money remittance, payment initiation services, account information services |
| Restricted Activities | Banking services require separate banking license; deposit-taking restricted to banks |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |