English
Swedish legal documents, explained in English
Living in Sweden and not sure which document you need, or what the Swedish one you were handed actually says? We are a Swedish law firm. Every document in our catalogue is explained here in plain English, with the law behind it, a fixed price and clear instructions for the signatures, witnesses or registration that the document requires.
Most asked about
The documents people who have moved to Sweden most often turn out to need.
Cohabitation agreement
Swedish: SamboavtalSets out what happens to your shared home and household goods if you separate. Without one, the Cohabitees Act splits both equally no matter who paid, which is the single most common surprise for unmarried couples in Sweden.
Will
Swedish: TestamenteDecides who inherits from you. Without one, the Swedish statutory order applies, and a cohabiting partner inherits nothing at all. A will must be written, signed in front of two independent witnesses present at the same time.
Employment contract
Swedish: AnställningsavtalA Swedish employment contract: form of employment, duties, salary, working hours, holiday, notice and any collective agreement. The employer must give written information about the essential terms.
Prenuptial agreement
Swedish: ÄktenskapsförordA marital property agreement (äktenskapsförord) makes named assets private property, so they are left out of the division if you divorce or one of you dies. It must be registered with the Swedish Tax Agency to be valid.
Sublet agreement
Swedish: AndrahandskontraktFor letting your apartment to someone else while you are away. Which law applies, and therefore what rent you may charge, depends on whether the home is a tenant-owner apartment or a rental — the agreement makes that explicit.
Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
Swedish: Sekretessavtal (NDA)Protects information you share before or during a collaboration: what counts as confidential, what the other side may do with it, how long it lasts and the consequence of a breach. One-way or mutual.
Lasting power of attorney
Swedish: FramtidsfullmaktNames the person who may handle your finances and personal affairs if illness or injury means you no longer can. It is the Swedish alternative to having a court appoint a god man, and you choose who it is while you still can.
Shareholders' agreement
Swedish: AktieägaravtalThe agreement between owners of a Swedish AB: decision-making, board seats, transfer restrictions, pre-emption, drag and tag along, vesting, dividends and deadlock. It binds the owners, while the articles bind the company.
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Every document we offer, grouped the way people actually look for them.
In-depth English guides
Long-form explanations of the documents that most often go wrong, written for people who did not grow up with Swedish law.
Straight answers about language
This site, our guides and our support are in English. The finished legal documents are in Swedish, and that is deliberate rather than a limitation: a Swedish contract is read by Swedish counterparties, banks, housing associations, employers and, if it ever comes to that, a Swedish court. Our Swedish version is intended to be the governing document, while these English pages explain its purpose and terms. An agreement is not invalid merely because it is in English, but an authority, bank or other recipient may require Swedish and parallel versions can create ambiguity unless the parties state which one governs.
What we take responsibility for is that you understand every word before you sign it. The document pages explain the content in English, the glossary covers the Swedish terms the forms use, and you can ask us anything in English while you fill one in. If you would rather not deal with a Swedish form at all, one of our lawyers can draft the document for you from an English conversation.
Not sure which document you need?
Tell us the situation in English and we will tell you honestly which document fits, whether a cheaper one would do, or whether you need advice rather than a template.