Tag: starting business in sweden

Which business form to prefer in Sweden

A wise entrepreneur examines the possibilities of doing business in Sweden well in advance before entering the Swedish market, and determines which business form best suits their needs. This article discusses three different ways to operate as a legal entity in Sweden. There are other business forms as well, but they are mostly used for very small businesses (e.g., sole proprietorships) or in exceptional cases.

The three business forms discussed in this article are:

  1. Foreign company registered in Sweden;
  2. Foreign company with a branch in Sweden;
  3. Swedish AB (AB is short for "Aktiebolag," which translates to "Stock Company" and is equivalent to an Estonian OÜ).

Making the right decision is also influenced by how long you plan to operate in the Swedish market. If you plan to operate for less than 6 months, registering your company in Sweden is sufficient. However, if you plan to operate for more than 6 months, you will need to establish either a branch or a Swedish AB.

Regardless of the business form chosen, it is necessary to register for F-skatt, VAT number, or employer registration, depending on whether the company engages in taxable sales or hiring employees. Some companies may require all three registrations. These registrations are done at Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency), and the processing time is 3-6 weeks.

Swedish company registration numbers are 10-digit (XXXXXX-XXXX) and can identify the type of business form.

Foreign company registered in Sweden (50XXXX-XXXX)

+ Suitable for entrepreneurs with occasional short-term projects in Sweden.

+ No additional obligations beyond submitting declarations.

+ The smallest investment cost, both in terms of time and money.

- If a permanent place of business is established (more than 6 months), a branch or AB must be created. Later establishment of a branch or AB requires transferring previous activities, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

- Swedes prefer to collaborate with Swedish companies. Often, companies that are not branches or ABs are offered less favorable conditions.

Required registrations

Most entrepreneurs start their activities in the Swedish market using this business form. The company likely has a short-term project in Sweden, lasting less than 6 months, and that's where it ends. In such cases, registering for F-skatt, VAT number, or employer registration is sufficient. 

A VAT number is required if you sell goods or provide services to individuals in Sweden that are not subject to EU reverse charge rules. It is also required if you voluntarily want to pay VAT in Sweden.

An employer registration must be made if employees need to pay income tax in Sweden, i.e., if they receive income for work done in Sweden for more than 6 months or if their "actual employer" is a Swedish company.

By making one of these three registrations, the company receives a temporary 10-digit registration number starting with 5 and 0 (50XXXX-XXXX). The registration process takes 3-6 weeks. This number is not permanent and does not represent a separate branch of the company. It is essential to know this because many larger Swedish companies (especially in the public sector) collaborate only with Swedish companies or branches. Companies with registration numbers starting with "50" ARE NOT branches.

Foreign company with a branch in Sweden (51XXXX-XXXX)

+ The most cost-effective business form for a foreign company with a permanent place of business.

+ A branch can do almost everything an AB can do.

- Not the most optimal form for building long-term trust. Swedes prefer to collaborate with ABs.

- A branch is not a separate legal entity. If business in Sweden goes bad, it may affect the obligations of the company's other branches.

- The risk of not recording or double-recording company transactions is higher. This is because a branch may appear as a separate entity even though it is not. It is essential to clearly define which transactions are conducted by other branches of the company and which are done by the branch, especially concerning cross-border transactions.

Permanent establishment in Sweden and associated obligations

If it is known that the company will have a permanent establishment in Sweden, it is required to register a branch. A permanent establishment occurs when the following criteria are met:

  • There is a specific geographic location for conducting business.
  • The business activity lasts for more than 6 months.
  • The company conducts its main business activities locally.

With a permanent establishment comes additional obligations for the company:

  • The company must submit an income declaration and pay income tax for the income generated in Sweden.
  • The branch must maintain separate accounting for its business activities.
  • The company must submit an annual report to the Swedish Business Registry. The same document can be submitted to both Estonian and Swedish business registries, but translated into either Estonian or Swedish.

The branch of the company must operate according to Swedish laws, just like other Swedish companies. It is important to remember that despite this, the branch is not a separate legal entity or an independent company. The branch is just one part of a foreign company. Therefore, Swedish branches have the same obligations as other Swedish companies but not all the same rights.

When registering a Swedish branch, the company will receive a registration number starting with 5 and 1 (51XXXX-XXXX). The registration process takes 1-2 weeks. The application process is extensive, and all documents must be translated into Swedish.

After registering the branch, it is also necessary to register for F-skatt, VAT number, or employer registration, which takes an additional 3-6 weeks. In total, the registration of documents for the branch takes 4-8 weeks.

Swedish AB (55XXXX-XXXX)

+ The simplest business form for operating in Sweden. Customers and partners have the highest trust in ABs, and it is easier to demand transactions on Swedish terms, especially if there have been a few successful fiscal years.

+ It is much easier to submit various declarations and applications.

+ Domestic and Swedish companies are kept separate, reducing risks.

- The initial investment is expensive and time-consuming. However, the share capital is not a cost; it can be used to acquire assets for the company later.

For long-term operations in Sweden, creating a Swedish AB is the most reasonable option. There are several good reasons for this. For instance, Swedes themselves take ABs much more seriously than other business forms. ABs appear more like "real companies" to them and create trust. As mentioned earlier, a branch can do almost everything that can be done with an AB, but branches are not as common.

Information about a Swedish AB is easy to find since company details, including annual reports, are publicly available. Interested parties can quickly gain insight into the company's financial situation. This may not always be possible with the other two options.

Advantages of Swedish AB

Another advantage of operating under a Swedish AB is that it is much easier to keep its business activities separate from other branches. This is crucial, especially when operating in multiple countries. Confusion about whether a specific transaction was made by another branch or the branch itself is eliminated. A Swedish AB is an independent company responsible for its obligations. The responsibilities of an AB do not transfer to the home-based company, making this form of operation secure.

Creating a Swedish AB can also reduce the time and cost involved in accounting activities. Swedish accounting programs, e-environments of various country authorities, and form submissions are all designed for Swedish ABs. Therefore, handling business with this form and communicating with various government agencies are significantly more straightforward.

To establish a Swedish AB, a share capital of 25,000 SEK is required. Depending on whether you want a Swedish or Estonian bank account for your company, registering a new AB takes 2-6 weeks. After that, you need to register for F-skatt, VAT number, or employer registration, which takes an additional 3-6 weeks. At the same time, you must register changes in management, new owners, a new business address, etc. All these procedures take 5-8 weeks in total.

You can expedite the process by purchasing a ready-made shelf company, where the AB is already established, and you only need to register for F-skatt, VAT number, or employer registration. Shelf companies can cost between 250 to 1000 euros, depending on how much assistance the selling company provides with the transfer.

Wisecounter's recommendation

In summary, registering your Estonian company in Sweden is suitable for those who do not undertake significant projects in Sweden and operate there on a short-term basis, less than 6 months.

A branch is suitable for those conducting large-scale projects in Sweden that last longer than 6 months and are uncertain about whether it is a one-time project or there will be more work. This is also a good solution for companies engaged in seasonal work.

AB is recommended for companies planning to operate in Sweden in the long term and develop their business there. Doing business in Estonia and Sweden is entirely different, and it is essential to follow the local customs in both countries. Even if you plan to operate in Sweden for only a year, we still recommend establishing an AB because it adds credibility. Additionally, if you no longer wish to conduct business in Sweden, you can sell the Swedish company.

However, to make the right choice and find the best solution, you should consider various other factors. It is advisable to consult with an expert who has enough experience in this field and can anticipate obstacles, ensuring a smooth and efficient entry into the Swedish market with your business.

Get in touch

Contact us using the contact form, call or send an e-mail. We will answer you as soon as possible.
  • Write us about your wishes or the problem you are looking for a solution to.
  • In most cases, our consultant will contact you to ask some clarifying questions or invite you to a meeting.
  • After receiving the necessary information, we will prepare a non-binding offer for you, which we will send by e-mail.

Swedish taxes – when to pay and on what basis

Estonian entrepreneurs operating in Sweden often lack a precise overview of Swedish taxes, including when and based on what these taxes need to be paid. We frequently receive inquiries from entrepreneurs wondering why certain tax obligations have arisen and what could have been done differently. Therefore, it is beneficial for every entrepreneur to thoroughly understand the tax obligations they will have towards the Swedish state before commencing operations in Sweden. For foreign companies, there are three primary tax obligations: paying corporate income tax on profits, paying value-added tax (VAT), and paying taxes for employees.

In the article tax changes for Estonian entrepreneurs operating in Sweden, we clarified under what circumstances an employer becomes obligated to pay taxes for employees in Sweden. Now, we will briefly discuss Swedish taxes, namely the corporate income tax and value-added tax (VAT) obligations.

The obligation to pay corporate income tax arises when a company has a permanent establishment in Sweden. Entrepreneurs who aspire to conduct business in Sweden in the future have likely come across the term "permanent establishment" during their data collection process. Once a permanent establishment is established, the company is required to declare its income and expenses in Sweden and pay corporate income tax on its profits. The corporate income tax rate varies each year but is generally between 20-22%. As of 2021, the corporate income tax rate is 20.6%.

Swedish taxes vs. "Permanent Establishment"

A "permanent establishment" must meet three criteria:

  1.  Business activities are conducted at a fixed location.
  2. The location is used continuously.
  3. The location is used primarily or entirely for the company's core business activities.

Different situations may have different nuances, but in most cases, if an entrepreneur conducts their core business activities at a specific location in Sweden for more than 6 months, a permanent establishment is deemed to exist. It is essential to understand that once a permanent establishment is established, it remains in place until the business activity is terminated.

Examples of "Permanent establishment"

Example 1: AutoMechanic LLC rents a workshop in Stockholm and maintains trucks for 10 months. AutoMechanic LLC also performs car repairs in Estonia, which is its core business. Since the company has a fixed location where it conducts its core business activities for more than 6 months, a permanent establishment is established, and the company must declare its revenues and expenses earned in Sweden, paying corporate income tax on its profits.

Example 2: AutoMechanic LLC rents an office in Stockholm for its accountant. The accountant resides in Stockholm and performs bookkeeping for the company throughout the year. As the activities in Sweden are not the company's core business, there is no permanent establishment, even though the company has a presence in Sweden for more than 6 months at the same address.

There are situations where the existence of a permanent establishment can bring advantages, such as when sending employees to work in Sweden for an extended period and having to pay income tax on their salaries. Foreign companies with a permanent establishment can use Swedish tax tables to calculate income tax. Depending on the salary, the income tax rate ranges from 20% to 25% based on the tax table. However, if the company does not have a permanent establishment, a flat rate of 30% must be used, regardless of the salary amount.

The term "permanent establishment" often appears in various tax regulations, but the matter is more complex than it may seem initially. The Swedish Tax Agency uses two expressions, "fast driftställe" and "fast etableringsställe," which can be translated as "permanent establishment" and "permanent establishment for setting up," respectively. It is crucial to keep these two concepts separate, as their criteria for establishment and the obligations that come with them are different.

"Permanent establishment for setting up"

A "permanent establishment for setting up" determines whether a foreign company operating in Sweden is obliged to add Swedish VAT to its sales invoices and declare and pay taxes to the Swedish Tax Agency.

To establish a "permanent establishment for setting up," the following three criteria must be met:

  1. The company has employees working in Sweden.
  2. The company manages technical resources in Sweden.
  3. The company has a sufficiently stable location to operate from in Sweden.

Interpreting these criteria can be more ambiguous than determining the existence of a permanent establishment. The presence of employees is straightforward to interpret: if the company has employees whose work allows it to carry out its core business activities, this criterion is met. Technical resources refer to the equipment, accommodation, and even smaller resources, such as servers used for an e-commerce store. The company does not necessarily have to own these resources; renting them is sufficient to meet the criterion. The final criterion, having a sufficiently stable location, is the most unclear. It means that the company has the capability to independently sell services and/or goods and purchase services and/or goods. Additionally, a "stable location" can refer to having long-term accommodation for employees where customers and suppliers can contact the company, for example, by visiting the location or sending invoices there.

If it is known that there will be costs in Sweden on which VAT can be reclaimed, it is a good idea to submit an application to the Tax Agency, explaining why you want to declare sales in Sweden and pay VAT on them. This simplifies the process of reclaiming VAT from Sweden and also helps to solve liquidity-related issues more quickly.

Examples of "Permanent establishment for setting up"

Example 1: ForestWork LLC performs forestry work in Sweden. The company has sent its employees to Sweden, along with its machinery, and receives ongoing instructions from its client's office, which is a Swedish forestry association. The presence of employees and machinery fulfills the first two criteria, and the forestry association, as the client, agrees that their office can be used as a contact point for anyone wishing to get in touch with ForestWork LLC. Additionally, ForestWork LLC is entirely capable of independently providing the service and purchasing the necessary goods and services for service delivery. Thus, a "permanent establishment for setting up" exists, and ForestWork LLC should issue invoices to its client in Sweden with Swedish VAT, which will be declared and paid in Sweden.

Example 2: Welders LLC rents 10 employees to a pipe manufacturing factory in Sweden. The factory is located in Gothenburg, and the work lasts for 8 months. The Swedish client provides accommodation and all necessary tools and machinery for the workers. Welders LLC has personnel present in Sweden and a "stable location" (a place where they can provide services and where suppliers can contact them), but since the company has not directly acquired accommodation or machinery, the technical resources criterion is not met. As a result, the company does not have a permanent establishment for setting up, and invoices to the client should be issued with reverse charge VAT, and the sale should be declared as a sale made in Estonia (as an intra-EU supply).

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions regarding the establishment of a permanent establishment and a permanent establishment for setting up, especially in the construction sector. The exception regarding the establishment of a permanent establishment means that each project is analyzed separately. If a company performs, for example, three consecutive projects, the first one taking 3 months, the second 7 months, and the third 4 months, only the revenues and expenses from the projects lasting more than 6 months need to be declared. This exception is specified in tax treaties with each EU country, and different countries have different time limits for the establishment of a permanent establishment, especially in the construction sector. Estonia's limit is 6 months, but, for example, Poland's limit is 12 months.

The second exception concerns the VAT liability for construction companies. Since construction companies sell their services to other construction companies with reverse charge VAT, the tax authorities may not issue a VAT number because the foreign company does not carry out sales with VAT. This can become problematic, as Swedish clients may not cooperate with foreign companies that do not have a VAT number. However, it is entirely possible to obtain a VAT number since there are another set of rules that stipulate that construction services related to a real estate object are considered, under certain conditions, as services provided in Sweden, i.e., as domestic sales.

Analyze future jobs before making registrations

As you can see, it is not always straightforward to know in advance what tax obligations may arise. In many situations, it is not clear whether a permanent establishment or a permanent establishment for setting up will be established or something else. It is recommended to conduct proper preliminary research and make the necessary registrations for the company immediately. Otherwise, there might be delays in collaboration with clients. Not having made the correct registrations or facing retrospectively imposed obligations or taxes by the tax authority may occur.

As the Swedish Tax Agency does not decide directly on behalf of the entrepreneur whether taxes need to be paid, it is the entrepreneur's responsibility to gain a clear understanding of how to conduct business. It is essential to explain as precisely as possible to the Tax Agency what obligations the company will have. When the business activity has been ongoing in Sweden for some time and it is necessary to declare activities, the Tax Agency compares whether the obligations have been fulfilled or not. This may lead to the Tax Agency retrospectively imposing additional obligations or taxes that were not initially considered.

If you want to be sure that the correct registrations are made and avoid potential issues in the future, feel free to contact us - we can review the situation together.

Get in touch

Contact us using the contact form, call or send an e-mail. We will answer you as soon as possible.
  • Write us about your wishes or the problem you are looking for a solution to.
  • In most cases, our consultant will contact you to ask some clarifying questions or invite you to a meeting.
  • After receiving the necessary information, we will prepare a non-binding offer for you, which we will send by e-mail.