business trip allowance sweden

Travel expenses in Sweden

The Bezala travel expense app allows you to apply for local per diems and mileage allowances defined by the Swedish Tax Office.

In Sweden, Bezala supports VAT rates, expense reimbursements, mileage allowances, and per diems. Bezala can also be used to apply for welfare support.

Mileage allowance in Sweden for the year 2024

When driving your own car for business use, the basic tax-free mileage allowance is SEK 2,5 / km  when other travel costs are not reimbursed. You can claim local per diems and mileage allowances with Bezala.

Per Diem in Sweden for the year 2024

In Sweden, the employer may compensate the costs caused by travel 1) as tax-free travel cost reimbursements (skattefritt traktamente) or 2) use the Swedish per diems (traktamente). Reimbursements and per diems are intended to cover the increased cost of living during the travel, i.e., the accommodation costs, unusual meal expenses, and other small expenses.

1) The employer may reimburse their employee's expenses as tax-exempt under some conditions. Expenses are tax-exempt if the amount paid does not exceed the fixed per diem rate, the employee will stay more than 50 km from their home and the usual place of work, and the employee can show a travel expense claim or other valid proof of the travel costs. The employee can provide the expenses to the employer with the help of Bezala.

Taxes must be paid for the amount that exceeds the fixed per diem rates. Due to the additional work caused by this method, it is common to compensate the travel expenses with per diems.

2) The amount of per diem paid to the employee depends on the travel duration. Bezala supports per diem payments in Sweden.

• The full per diem is SEK 290 
• The partial per diem is SEK 145
• The allowance for nighttime travel is SEK 145

In Sweden, the full day and part-day per diems are only paid if the travel continues overnight. Full per diem will be paid if the trip starts before noon on the day of departure and ends after 07 pm on the day of return. Partial per diem can be paid when the trip starts after noon and ends before 07 pm. Allowance for nighttime travel is paid for travel between 24 am and 06 am.

Deductions from Per Diems If the employer offers free meals to the employee during the travel, the meals should be deducted from the per diem paid to the employee. Deduction for meals for the year 2024:

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner: SEK 261
• Lunch and dinner: SEK 203
• Lunch or dinner: SEK 102 
• Breakfast: SEK 58

Welfare Support (Friskvårdsbidrag)

In Sweden, companies can provide their employees tax-exempt welfare support of SEK 5 000 (approx. 485 €). Employees can apply for reimbursement for their self-paid welfare activity in Bezala. An annual limit of SEK 5 000 has been set to the welfare support account in Bezala. The limit is also customizable on a company basis, as companies can choose to provide smaller support.

Read on the Swedish Tax Office's website for which activities the support can be applied to.

Bezala – Europe's most automated expense software

Your team can easily file Receipts, Mileages and Per Diems and you can Approve them with one click. We'll remind your employees of missing credit card receipts and automatically take care of your accounting.

Integrations

You can integrate Bezala to Sweden's most common accounting software Fortnox and HR system Hogia. Bezala also has an integration to USA based ERP system NetSuite . In additional, you can create and modify csv files and we will send them directly to an SFTP server or e-mail. Check out our integrations .

The Swedish Tax Agency: Per diems in Sweden 2024

The Swedish Tax Agency: Mileages in Sweden 2024

Recent news

Bezala news 3/2024, bezala news 2/2024, how much do the mileage allowances and per diems increase for different countries in 2024.

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Business Customs

Social and business protocols are similar in Sweden and the U.S. In Sweden, planning and scheduling is a way of life, with punctuality being important and highly valued both professionally and socially. Meetings are scheduled well in advance and begin and finish on time. Participants should be informed of any delays as promptly as possible. Providing enough time to prepare for a meeting is very important, as well as sticking to the agenda. Important decisions and deadlines are expected to be adhered to, even when verbal. Sweden is known for its’ high levels of gender equality, and many women hold executive positions. Greeting everyone present with a firm handshake and direct eye contact is expected upon arrival and departure.

Swedes are generally respectful, and in accordance with “jantelagen”, they do not boast or brag about their accomplishments. Swedes tend to avoid confrontation and superficiality, they are business-like, analytical, detail-oriented and can be considered somewhat reserved.  However, this is a generalization, and you will find that Swedes are also open and happy to small talk. Swedish companies are generally less hierarchical than in other countries and decisions are consensus-based.  Mostly everyone in Sweden is on a first name basis, and colleagues address each other casually, regardless of title.

Conservative dress is appropriate for business appointments.  Business entertaining in Sweden is usually done at lunch and not dinner, and upscale restaurants expect guests to dress well.  Restaurant bills include service charges, but after an evening meal, a small gratuity (5-10%) is appreciated.  Smoking is not allowed in places of business, including restaurants and airports.  Business cards are still commonly used and distributed with no special ritual, while younger Swedes usually prefer LinkedIn.  Gifts are appropriate when closing transactions but not at the beginning of a business relationship. At social events, small gifts are expected. 

Travel Advisory

Swedes enjoy a general work life balance and treasure their leisure time.  Due to the relatively generous leave that employees are entitled to (minimum 25 days/year), it is advantageous to plan business travel to Sweden during September through mid-December and mid-January through mid-June.  Business travel should be avoided during one-week school holidays such as winter break (February), Easter (March/April) and fall break (October-November).  Many Swedes take extended vacation during the period beginning around June 20 through August and some small businesses close.  See a list of Swedish bank holidays .

Up-to-date travel information on Sweden and all other countries is available on the Department of State’s website, see Department of State .  On this page, see “Travel Advisory” for current information, including the Country Security Report. All American visitors to Sweden are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens may enter Sweden for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes with a valid U.S. passport (at least six months longer than your planned period of stay) without obtaining a visa.  Travelers must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.  For visits that exceed 90 days and more information, see link to the Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C: Embassy of Sweden

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Swedish applicants for visas to the United States should go to the State Department Visa Website.

Currency  

The currency of Sweden is the krona (crown), which is subdivided into 100 ore.  All ore coins have been discontinued as of 2010, but goods can still be priced in ore.  When paying with cash, all sums are rounded up to the nearest krona. However, Sweden is rapidly becoming a cashless society.  Many places of business, including banks, do not accept cash.  Other currencies can be exchanged at banks and financial institutions; however steep fees and/or unfavorable exchange rates are the price for this service.              Credit and debit cards are widely accepted both in Swedish stores and ATM’s.  Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most places.  Diner’s Club and American Express may be less acceptable due to the high service charges associated with them. ATM’s – most with the English language option - are available throughout Sweden but require a chip and PIN card for withdrawal of cash.  Prior to departing from the U.S. travelers should ensure that their ATM/credit/debit cards allow use abroad and inquire about frequency, withdrawal limits, and related fees. Neither personal nor traveler’s checks are accepted anywhere in Sweden.&     Telecommunications/Electronics Sweden (country code +46) is one of the world’s most connected countries. Wi-Fi is always available in business hotels and often in public spaces, especially in major cities. Sweden mainly uses 4G and 5G cell phone technology.  There are essentially no pay-phones available in Sweden. U.S. cell phones can be used in Sweden as long as the U.S. provider (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) activates the roaming function.  However, using a U.S. cellphone abroad will result in a much higher cost to the user.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Sweden (country code +46) is one of the world’s most connected countries. Wi-Fi is always available in business hotels and often in public spaces, especially in major cities. Sweden mainly uses 4G and 5G cell phone technology.  There are essentially no pay-phones available in Sweden. U.S. cell phones can be used in Sweden as long as the U.S. provider (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) activates the roaming function.  However, using a U.S. cellphone abroad will result in a much higher cost to the user.

Voltage in Sweden is 230 with 50 cycles (Hz), and converters are sold in many electrical/office supply stores. If an American device works with 230 V, only an adapter to change the shape of the power plug to fit into a Swedish outlet is needed.  Swedish power sockets use the Europlug (type C and F).

Transportation

Sweden enjoys a modern infrastructure, and all modes of transportation are very reliable, efficient, and generally timely.  Sweden can be reached by air, ferry, car, and rail.  Delta Airlines and United Airlines have seasonal non-stop flights to Sweden. Other airlines such as SAS offer direct flights to Stockholm from New York, Chicago, and Miami. SAS also offers a direct flight between Goteborg and New York. Flights to Stockholm arrive at Arlanda Airport, 40 minutes north of Stockholm.  When taking a cab from the airport, the price should be confirmed prior to departure.  There is also a high-speed train as well as a bus service from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm’s downtown Central Station. Flights to Gothenburg arrive at Landvetter Airport, 20 minutes from Gothenburg center. When traveling into the city, one can take a cab or a bus service.  

In cities, public transportation is most popular. It consists of subways, trains, trams, and buses.  These are generally very reliable with extensive routes and connections. Sweden has right hand traffic and when driving, seatbelts must be worn by all, and headlights must be on, regardless of time of day or time of year.  Drivers must be 18 or older and hold a valid driver’s license. Snow tires are mandatory Dec 1-March 31.  Car rentals are readily available but at prices that exceed U.S. averages.  

Swedish is the principal language of Sweden, but an advanced level of English is generally spoken by most Swedes, and often used in business.  There are also five national minority languages in Sweden: Finnish, Yiddish, Meänkieli (Tornedal Finnish), Romani Chib and Sami.  

The Swedish state-run health care system is often considered a model for other countries to take after and is comparable to care provided by the U.S. Emergency care. There are no mandatory vaccines for traveling to Sweden.  The emergency telephone number is ‘112’. The Center for Disease Control lists a few vaccines worth considering when traveling to Sweden, see CDC website .

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

The 24-hour clock is recommended to avoid confusion. Sweden is +1GMT but observes winter- and summertime changes (+2GMT) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.  Business office hours are generally 8 am through 5 pm and are closed on weekends, while retail stores are often open 10 am to 8 pm, five days per week and slightly shorter on weekends. 

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Both Sweden and the U.S. are in the ATA-carnet system, the documentation that replaces the need to apply for temporary import authorization.  Goods that will be temporarily imported to the EU/Sweden and re-exported in unchanged condition (such as certain professional equipment, show materials or samples), can be temporarily admitted.  See more information about the temporary admission of goods can be found on the Swedish Customs’ website , and information regarding bringing personal belongings, including medicines .

Sweden Mileage

Compliance > Sweden > Mileage

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Please be aware that this resource is informational only, and many external factors, unique to your company might apply. Each company must make their own decisions about how they meet their tax obligations.

Reimbursement for business journeys

Reimbursement for commute expenses.

An employer in Sweden can reimburse employees for using a personal vehicle for business journeys. On the other hand, an employer can also reimburse employees if they used a benefit car for business journeys and they paid for the fuel themselves. A benefit car is essentially a car provided by the employer that an employee can also use privately.

There are maximum mileage allowances per kilometer that the employer can reimburse tax-free. These maximum amounts depend on the type of vehicle. You can find the rates on the government’s website .

Maximum mileage allowances for using a private vehicle for business journeys:

Maximum mileage allowances for using a company car for business journeys:

You can pay your employees more than these maximum amounts, however, the excess will be considered taxable income.

If you carpool with a colleague and share the fuel cost, the mileage allowance should also be shared.

Learn how you can apply these mileage rates in your Rydoo account  here.

An employer may reimburse employees for their commute between home and the place of work. The maximum tax-free allowance for commute is based on the cheapest means of public transport or a fixed amount per kilometer in case a private or company car is used. These fixed amounts per kilometer are the ones set out in the previous paragraph on reimbursement for business journeys.

Some requirements need to be fulfilled for the allowance of travel by car, motorcycle or moped to be tax-free:

• The distance between your home and your workplace must be at least five kilometers;
• The time saving compared to travelling by public transport must be at least two hours;
• Only the part of the cost exceeding SEK 11,000 is deductible.

If you travel by public transport, the reimbursement for these expenses is tax-free if the distance between your home and your workplace is at least 2 km.

You can find more information about commute reimbursement (e.g. parking costs, ferry toll, carpooling, leisure home), on Skatteverket ’s website .

Last changed 2024-03-06

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Travel expenses

Per diem and other allowances are paid in conjunction with business trips. They can be both tax-free and taxable.

Subsistence allowance (per diem)

Per diem is an allowance for increased daily living expenses associated with business trips. The business trip must involve an overnight stay and be outside of one's regular place of work. Per diem pay is tax-free.

If the business trip starts at noon or later the per diem is half.

If the business trip ends at 7 p.m. or earlier the per diem is half.

There is an overnight night allowance when accommodations are arranged privately. This allowance is equivalent to half the per diem rate.

The Swedish Tax Agency sets domestic and foreign per diem rates.

Salary supplement

Salary supplement are paid for business trips that last one or several days. Salary supplement are taxable.

One-day business trips

One-day business trips must last at least nine hours and be outside of Stockholm County. It is taxable and applies for both domestic and international business trips.

If the business trip ends at 7 p.m. or earlier then the bonus allowance is equivalent to half of a per diem rate.

If the business trip ends after 7 p.m. then the bonus allowance is equivalent to full per diem rate.

Business trips over more than one day

The salary supplement is 65 percent of the per diem rate and is only applicable for domestic business trips. A salary supplement for a business trip that lasts longer than one day is taxable.

If the business trip is started at noon or later the bonus allowance is half the normal rate.

If the business trip ends at 7 p.m. or earlier the bonus is half.

Car allowance

There is a basic tax-free allowance as well as an equivalent taxable supplement for transport by car when KI regards a car as the most suitable form of transport.

A taxable supplement equivalent to 25 percent of the tax-free allowance is paid to each passenger.

Meal benefits

If KI has paid for your meals you will be taxed according to a standard.

This applies to all meals that KI has paid for, including lunch and dinner at courses where KI has paid for the course.

Taxation of benefits is applicable to meals that you have actually had.

• Meals that are obligatory are included in the price of transport (train, airplane). Other exceptions include:
• Breakfast included in hotel accommodations
• Meals at internal courses/training
• Meals for official entertainment

Meal deduction

If KI has paid for your meals during a business trip then this is deducted from your travel expenses since you have not had an increased cost for meals. Meals are also deducted from your travel expenses if an organization other than KI has paid for your meals.

The deduction is for meals that you have actually had.

Exceptions:

• Meals that are obligatory are included in the price of transport (train, airplane)

You are to report your taxable meal benefits on your travel expense report. There is a special form to use if you have not been on a trip, but have had a taxable meal benefit.

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When you travel for work, you may be entitled to a subsistence allowance and/or a salary supplement. These can be either taxable or tax-exempt.

Subsistence allowance

A subsistence allowance compensates you for your increased living costs when you are on a work trip. You are entitled to this allowance if your trip involves at least one overnight stay away from your place of residence, irrespective of whether you travel in Sweden or abroad. The subsistence allowance is tax-exempt. It is the Swedish Tax Agency that determines the amount.

Full and partial subsistence allowance

• If your work trip starts before 12:00 and return after 19:00, you will receive a full subsistence allowance for that day.
• If your work trip starts at 12:00 or later, you will receive half a subsistence allowance.
• If your work trip ends at 19:00 or earlier, you will receive half a subsistence allowance.

If you stay in private accommodation, you also receive a night allowance, which is half a subsistence allowance. You are also entitled to a taxable salary supplement when staying in private accommodation.

This salary supplement is added automatically when you apply for a night allowance. However, you may opt to not receive it by unticking the option in your application if you do not want to cut into your funding.

Salary supplement

You may be entitled to a salary supplement on one-day or multi-day trips, as long as you stay in Sweden and have to travel to some place other than your normal place of work. This supplement is taxable.

Official duties for one day

If you are on official university business for just one day, you are only entitled to a salary supplement if your trip last twelve hours or longer.

Official duties for multiple days

If you are on official University business for more than one day, the salary supplement is the same amount as the subsistence allowance.

• If your work trip starts at 12:00 or later, you will receive half a salary supplement.
• If your work trip ends at 19:00 or earlier, you will receive half a salary supplement.

Car allowance

If you have to travel by car, first and foremost use a rental car – for financial, safety and environmental reasons. You may use your own car on occasions when doing so would be the most reasonable course of action, and when your manager or head of department has signed off on this. When you use your own car, you are entitled to a tax-exempt mileage allowance. For more information, see Ordinance (2020:486) on environmental and road-safety requirements for public authorities' cars (Swedish only).

Approval of use of own car

Decision on use of own car.

To be eligible for a car allowance, you need a special decision that approves you using your own car for work. There is a template under Forms regarding salary and staff called " Bilmedgivande LA15" (Swedish only) .

The head of department or equivalent may approve an employee using their own car for work trips during a specific period and within a specific area.

The use of an employee's own car may only be approved when a cost comparison with other modes of transportation reveals that car travel would be the best option or that it would help the University cut costs.

The decision to approve the use of an employee's own car must be signed by the head of department or equivalent, as well as the employee in question.

The decision must be archived at the department, office or equivalent, so external or internal auditors will have access to it.

The approval is conditional upon the employee agreeing, in writing, to:

• only using their car for work trips during the period and within the area the approval refers to, unless circumstances the employee has no control over prevent them from doing so;
• allowing other civil servants to accompany them in their car; and
• if they have a work car, using that car instead of their own during work trips, if that is what the head of department or equivalent decides.

Current amounts

The amount stipulated in the Income Tax Act is tax exempt. The amount stipulated in the University's local agreement, on the other hand, is considered a taxable salary supplement. The University must pay employer contributions for it.

A car allowance is only paid out when the use of the employee's own car was expressly approved.

Travelling for work using one's own car

SEK per 10 kilometres:

• Tax-exempt flat rate: SEK 25 per 10 km.
• Salary supplement when use of own car was approved: SEK 18.50 per 10 km.
• Salary supplement for trailer: SEK 18.50 per 10 km.

Compensation for travel by other means of transportation is only disbursed when proof of payment is presented.

How to make a travel claim and get reimbursement

To receive your subsistence allowance and be reimbursed for any expenses you incurred during your work trip, you should submit a travel claim as soon as your trip is over. You can do so in the self-service system PASS. A travel claim must be submitted within twelve months from the trip in question.

Remember to keep your original receipts. They need to be submitted with your expenses claim to your reviewer, which is the person who revises travel expenses at your department or office.

If you have any questions regarding travel expenses or reimbursements, contact the person who revises such expenses at your department, office or equivalent.

Amounts – subsistence allowance and salary supplement

Subsistence allowance and salary supplement 2023 (in Swedish)

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Expenses and Allowances

When you travel for work, you are entitled to an allowance for expenses. In Swedish, this is called traktamente. To receive reimbursement for expenses, you need to submit an original receipt as proof of purchase.

To claim back your expenses, you need to complete and submit the form called Post-Travel Form (Reseräkning) or a form for Expenses/representation that is available in Primula. Here you fill in the information about the expenses you incurred during your work trip. You must submit your claim no later than three months after your work trip has taken place or you made a purchase.

On the form called Post-Travel form, you need to provide such details as the dates of travel, the means of transport and any expenses that you incurred.

Allowance (Traktamente)

Important for you to know is that you cannot request traktamente for training or a conference at the University for which the University has already covered your expenses.

One-Day Trip Allowance (within Sweden) (Endagsförrättning)

When the destination is more than 50 km from both your place of employment and your home, then you are entitled to a taxable supplement (förrättningstillägg). The shortest travel route applies. The supplement is SEK 100 if you are away for more than five hours and SEK 200 if you are away for more than ten hours.

Multi-Day Trip Allowance (within Sweden) (Flerdygnsförrättning)

When the destination is more than 50 km from both your place of employment and your home, then you will receive a taxable supplement (förrättningstillägg) . The shortest travel route applies.

• Full day (departure before 12 noon and return home after 19:00): SEK 410, of which SEK 230 is tax-free.
• Part of the day (departure after 12 noon and return home before 19:00): SEK 205, of which SEK 115 is tax-free.

Overnight Allowance (Nattraktamente) for Private Accommodation

By private accommodation, we mean staying, for example, at a friend's house. For this, the allowance is SEK 430, of which SEK 110 is tax-free.

Trips Outside Sweden

Allowances for foreign travel (utlandstraktamente) are paid according to the rates set by Skatteverket for each respective country.

Meals and Food Expenditures

The payment of traktament e is designed to cover any costs for food or meals while you are away on a work trip.

If, however, your employer or host pays for your meals while you are away, the amount of traktamente paid to you will be reduced and you will be taxed on the food benefit. There are some exceptions to this. Hotel breakfasts will not be deducted, and there are separate rules for internal hospitality allowances. Full details of the latest rates can be found on the Skatteverket website.

When you need to purchase an item or a service that is work-related, you must adhere to the procurement agreements in place at Dalarna University. You should order your item or service from an agreed supplier, who will then invoice the University. Should you need to make a purchase with your own money, you can make a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to retain the receipt and submit this via Primula. To avoid making purchases with your own money, you can apply for a credit card for expenses.

To be accepted as a valid proof of purchase, a receipt must show the following details: 

• Date of purchase
• Company details: name, address, tax (moms) registration number
• Product details
• Amount of tax (moms)

If this information is not stated on the printed receipt, you must request a written receipt from the supplier/business. In accordance with rules set by the Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen) , you must submit receipts in their original. Copies will not be accepted.

Receipts for Hospitality (Representation)

In addition to the above information, receipts for hospitality-related expenses (for example, coffee and lunch) must be accompanied by information stating the following:

• Reason for hospitality
• Number of guests and guests’ names and occupation
• The name of the business or organisation that the guests represent

Reimbursement for Travel by Private Car

When travelling for work, you should always use public transport when this is possible. However, if you must travel by car, you must first choose to use a university car or you should rent one from a procured supplier. If these are not options, you may use your own car (or other private car).

You are entitled to claim your mileage at the rate of SEK 3.75/kilometre, of which SEK 2.50 is tax-free.

You can be reimbursed for the cost of your travel between Campus Borlänge and Campus Falun at a rate of SEK 2.50/kilometre for that part that is tax-free. The same applies to car trips that are longer than 200 kilometres.

Compensation for Travel Time - Technical and Administrative Staff

When you travel for work outside normal working hours (08.00-16.00), you will receive compensation for your time at the rate of 15 minutes of worktime for each hour of travel time outside of normal working hours.

When you fill in your flex report, in the column titled “Reason for overtime/absence”, add 15 minutes for every hour of travel time that is outside normal working hours.

More information

• Reimbursement: Expenses
• Credit card for expenses (Swedish webpage)

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• Bookwise & Co
• Jan 12, 2023

Traktamente - Business Travel Daily Allowance and miles compensation news for 2023

Business Travel Daily Allowance or „Traktamente“ in Swedish, is a tax-free allowance paid by the employer to the employee for raised living-costs during the travel period.

Tax-free allowance is in effect when the employee has travelled to workplace which is more than 50 km from regular work place and/or residency.

From year 2023 the allowance amount is 260kr per day (instead of 240kr per day as it was in 2022).

Half day will be now 130kr, instead of 120kr as it was in 2022.

Link to traktamente from Sweden to foreign country: https://skatteverket.se/privat/skatter/arbeteochinkomst/traktamente/utlandstraktamente.4.2b543913a42158acf800016035.html

Also, there are changes to miles compensation , from 18,50kr to 25kr , from 1st of January 2023 Keep in mind that 1mil is 10km.

Please inquire with us if anything is unclear or if you would like to know more.

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• » Travelling to Sweden

Travelling to Sweden

When travelling to Sweden there are goods you may bring and others that are restricted.

Goods to which special rules apply can be declared to Swedish Customs by choosing the red, blue or green lane through the surveillance area when you cross the Swedish border. Certain goods can also be declared via the internet.

Alcohol and tobacco

There are different regulations in place concerning how much alcohol you may carry with you depending on whether you are entering Sweden from another EU country or entering from a country outside the EU.

You must be at least 20 years of age to bring alcohol into Sweden.

Alcohol from another EU country  Alcohol from a country outside the EU

There are different regulations in effect concerning how much tobacco you may carry with you depending on whether you are entering Sweden from another EU country or entering from a country outside the EU.

You must be at least 18 years of age to be bring tobacco into Sweden.

Tobacco from another EU country Tobacco from a country outside the EU

It is important that animals crossing the borders are not carrying infectious diseases. It is also important to combat illegal trade. The regulations applicable for the import of live animals depend on where the animal is coming from and whether it is a pet or other type of animal. We conduct checks at the border for the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

The Swedish Board of Agriculture is the public authority responsible for regulations on importing animals into Sweden. Please contact them for further information.

Read more about the rules to import animals to Sweden, and about animal welfare rules at Swedish Board of Agriculture's website 

Report your pet to Swedish Customs

Report online – choose the green channel or lane.

If you live in an EU country, you can report your dog or cat to Swedish Customs here on our website. When you arrive in Sweden you can then use the green channel or lane when going through Customs. If a customs official carries out a check, you must be able to produce the registration number you received when you reported your pet.

Report your pet online

Report at the border – choose the red channel or lane

When you arrive in Sweden, you should contact a customs officer by going to a so-called "red point". You find the red point in the red channel or lane in the passenger surveillance area. If there is no customs officer there, contact Customs in one of the following ways:

• Use the phone in the red channel or lane in the passenger surveillance area.
• Call the phone number specified on the poster in the red channel or lane in the passenger surveillance area.
• Go to the nearest customs clearance office .
• If you cannot take the red channel or lane, such as when you are travelling on a direct train between Denmark and Sweden, contact a uniformed customs officer on the train. If you do not see a uniformed customs officer on the train, you must call the customs officer on duty on +46 40 661 32 25.

Firearms, ammunition and dangerous articles

Firearms, ammunition and dangerous articles can not be brought into or out of Sweden without permission. The Swedish Police are responsible for this particular issue.

The word firearm means weapons with which bullets, buckshot, harpoons or other projectiles can be fired with the aid of gunpowder charges, CO2 charges, compressed air or similar firing agents.

Tear gas, pepper spray devices and crossbows are also counted as firearms, as are starting and signalling weapons that are loaded with cartridges. Ammunition means items such as cartridges, projectiles, and blasting caps.

Hunting and shooting competitions – temporary import of weapons to Sweden

If you plan to bring your weapon into Sweden temporarily, or are travelling through, certain rules apply. Keep in mind that the weapon you plan to bring into Sweden must be approved for hunting or shooting competitions in Sweden.

Read more about temporary import of weapons to Sweden at Swedish Police

When temporary importing weapons to Sweden, remember to declare your firearm and ammunition to Swedish Customs

Once you have received your import permit, all that remains is that you submit a declaration for the firearm and ammunition to Swedish Customs.

Firearms Declaration to Swedish Customs via the internet

If weapons declaration is made via the internet (only for citizen of an EU country or Norway) you do not need to notify customs in person upon arrival in Sweden.

A citizen of an EU country or Norway who has a valid firearms license (European or Norweigan Firearms Pass), a permanent possession permit and permission from the Swedish Police can register weapons and ammunition online.

You can register weapons and ammunition online when you intend:

• to hunt or compete in Sweden for a duration of less than three months
• to travel through Sweden in order to hunt or compete in Denmark, Norway or Finland
• to hunt or compete in other countries (applies to those who have a Swedish firearms license).

Weapons Declaration via internet

Silencers is regulated in basically the same way as ammunition. Anyone who has the right to possess a certain weapon for shooting may possess silencers that fit the weapon.

This means that you do not need to apply for a temporary import of a silencer in Sweden if you in your home country hold a permit / license for a weapon that the silencer is suitable for. However, you can not apply for temporary import into Sweden for a silencer only, the accompanying weapon is required.

Declaration at the border crossing

Upon arrival in Sweden, a declaration must be made at the port of entry as well as a completion of the Customs form Declaration for Firearms and Ammunition. Persons declaring weapons must also show the weapon, the weapons passport and the import permit that has been issued by the Swedish police authority to customs officials.

If no customs official is available at the border crossing, declaration must take place in one of the following ways:

• Via the telephone at the border crossing which is provided for such purposes
• By calling the telephone number that is provided at the border crossing
• At the closest Customs clearance office

Air weapons, paintball guns, airsoft guns and other weapons

A permit is required for air weapons, airsoft guns and paintball guns (as a general rule, with some exceptions). These types of weapons, which are typically powered by carbonic acid, air or springs and shoot off bullets, arrows or paint ampoules, can in some cases be regarded as being limited-power under the Swedish Weapons Act.

Read more about air weapons, paintball guns, airsoft guns and other weapons at Swedish Police website

Knives and other dangerous objects

The legislation in this area deals with knives, stabbing weapons, cutting weapons and other dangerous objects intended to be used as a weapon for a criminal threat against someone’s life or health. It is prohibited for anyone to have a knife, stabbing weapon, cutting weapon or other dangerous object with them in a public place, in areas around schools, or in vehicles in a public place, unless having such a weapon may be considered justified or appropriate under the circumstances. The prohibition applies to items intended to be used as a weapon for a criminal threat against someone’s life or health.

Read more about knives and other dangerous objects at Swedish Police website

CITES – Endangered species

Animals and products from animals of endangered species are not allowed to be taken into Sweden without a permit from the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

CITES import and export at Swedish Board of Agriculture's website

There is extensive illegal trade in endangered animals and plants, both living and dead. Tourists or consumers need to be vigilant to avoid contributing to this illegal activity both in Sweden and in other countries.

Trade in endangered species at Swedish Enviromental Protection Agency

Foodstuffs and plants

Within the EU there is almost free movement of plants and seeds. However, you still need to comply with several rules. You are NOT allowed to bring plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers och seeds into the EU without a phytosanitary certificate. Authorisation from the Swedish Board of Agriculture may be required to bring certain foodstuffs into Sweden.

Travelling to Sweden from another EU country

In principle, travellers may bring food and plants into Sweden from other EU countries without restriction.

Travelling to Sweden from countries outside the EU

Different rules apply for food and plants entering Sweden from countries outside the EU. A health certificate is generally required for meat, milk, and similar products. The food must also undergo a veterinary inspection at the border. Please note that you are not allowed to bring plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers or seeds into the European Union without a phytosanitary certificate.

Certain exceptions apply for powdered infant formula, baby food and special foods required for medical reasons. There are also some exceptions for food from Faeroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.

Importation from Norway, Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino and Switzerland is subject to the same regulations as other EU countries, including the 4 700 SEK or 3 300 SEK value limit.

Read more about the rules if you bring or send plants and plant products across the Swedish border at Swedish Board of Agriculture's website

When traveling to Sweden, you need to be careful to not spread invasive alien species. Here you find information and tips on how to reduce the spread and how to report the presence of alien species in Sweden.

Avoid spreading invasive alien species

When travelling to Sweden you can take your medicines with you as long as they are for you or your accompanying pet, and you need them for medical reasons.

Generally, when bringing medicines into a country, you need to be able to show that the medicines you are carrying are for your personal use. This can be done for example by leaving the pharmacy sticker with your name on the medicine, by bringing a copy of your prescription or a certificate from your doctor.

In the same way you need to be able to show that medicines for your accompanying pet have been prescribed to your pet by a veterinary surgeon.

Read more about the rules travelling with medicines at Swedish Medical Products Agency

Cash control

All travellers entering or leaving the EU with € 10 000 or more in cash must declare the sum to Customs in order to comply with European Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005.

You have to give notification to Swedish Customs if you are carrying the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent assets when travelling across an EU border.

The notification duty is one element in Sweden’s initiatives not only to prevent money laundering and organised crime, but also to combat terrorism.

Besides notes and coins, “cash and equivalent assets” here also means, for example, traveller’s cheques, cheques, promissory notes, debt instruments, debentures, shares, money orders and securities.

Declare cash online

The Right of Public Access

You have a Right of Public Access whenever you visit Swedish nature – whether you’re going for a walk, kayaking, climbing a mountain or simply enjoying nature.

The Right of Public Access is a unique right to roam freely in the countryside. But with this right come responsibilities – to take care of nature and wildlife and to show consideration for landowners and for other people enjoying the countryside.

The Right of Public Access at Swedish enviromental protection agency's website

Other goods brought by travellers from outside the EU, including the Åland Islands, the Canary Islands and similar territories

Goods that you are using during your trip like clothes, cameras can be brought into Sweden duty-free. If you are arriving to Sweden from a non EU-country you can only bring goods with you (not alcohol or tobacco) for a maximum of (470 €) 4 700 SEK if you travel with a commercial airline or ferryline or (330 €) 3 300 SEK if you travel in any other way without paying any duty or tax.

This amount includes snuff and travel items purchased during the trip. It is not possible to split up the value of separate purchases.

Goods that travellers brings into Sweden for personal use during the trip and will be brought back abroad with the traveller are not included in the above mentioned value.

Tax-free shopping in Sweden

For more information about tax-free shopping in Sweden, please contact a tax-free company.

Last updated: 2023-06-08

What is updated: Quality assured

• Accounting in Sweden
• Annual settlement

Annual accounts of the company in Sweden

• Civil partnership (Enkeltbolag) - income from this type of business is considered to be the income of the owner and partners of the company. Accordingly, business tax is declared by the owners in an annex to the annual tax return, which must be submitted by 2 May.
• Commercial companies (Handelsbolag - HB) - they are obliged to submit formal annual financial statements for the previous year. The accounting year equals the calendar year if at least one of the partners is an individual (important condition!). The income from the company's activities is accounted for during the annual return of the natural persons or companies that are partners in the company. Importantly, tax to the Skatteverke is only paid on the value of the profit share of each shareholder of the company (not on the company's profit).
• Limited liability companies (Aktiebolag - AB), public joint stock companies (publiktaktiebolag) and private joint stock companies (privataktiebolag) - the accounting year does not have to be a calendar year, but the duration of the year must be recorded already when the company is established. All of these companies are required to submit formal annual accounts for the previous year.
• Limited partnerships (Kommanditbolag - KB), business associations (ekonomiskförening), company branches (Filial), foundations (stiftelse) or European joint-stock companies (Europabolag) - owners are required to submit formal accounts and tax returns for the previous tax year must be submitted by 2 May.
• Income tax decision - foreign owners of Swedish companies are required to submit an application (form SKV4350) via www.skatteverket.se for the issuance of this document (a photocopy of an identity document must be attached to the application).
• INKOMSTDEKLARATION 1 - a document necessary for the tax return. It is sent by the Skatteverket from 19 March to 15 April. For the tax return, you will also need documentation of your tax allowances (if you are entitled to any) and a photocopy of your identity document.
• A1 form - a document that must be presented to prove that you are insured outside Sweden (you must also document the amount of premiums paid).
• KU-10, KU-13 or KU-14 - tax cards that every Swedish employer is obliged to issue to its employees.
• 28 per cent corporation tax (if company reserves and deposits are rotated, this tax can be reduced to 26 per cent). It is worth remembering that the tax is calculated on net income, after deducting the costs associated with running your own business;
• VAT applies to virtually all businesses that offer the sale of goods or services. Its basic rate, i.e. 25%, applies to most goods, for which reduced rates of 12% and 6% do not apply;
• taxpayers who work in Sweden for less than 183 days in a tax year are required to pay SINK tax (25%);
• taxpayers and Swedish entrepreneurs who work in Sweden for more than six months pay municipality tax, which is 29-34%, and state tax, which is 20% (annual income above SEK 468,700) or 25% (annual income above SEK 675,700);
• also, compulsory for entrepreneurs in Sweden are a 30 per cent tax on dividends (this can be reduced through a double taxation agreement);
• anyone who runs their own business in Sweden should register with the Skatteverket as an excise taxpayer. After registration, the office sends a form with a tax refund date (the waiting time in Sweden is usually one month). Importantly, Swedish entrepreneurs must also submit an excise tax return to the Swedish tax authorities, even if the tax is 0;
• if you are self-employed in Sweden and have employees, you pay 33 per cent social contributions (which include healthcare and pension contributions). These contributions amount to 31.42 per cent (for those born 1954 and later) and 16.36 per cent (for those born between 1938 and 1953). There are also compulsory social contributions for business owners, which the employer pays for itself (Egenavgifter, the so-called self-employed contributions) and these amount to 28.97% (for those born in 1954 and later) and 16.36% (for those born between 1938 and 1953).
• commuting allowance (one trip per week by the cheapest means of transport can be deducted);
• tax relief for commuting costs from your residence in Sweden if it is not possible to travel by public transport (the rate is SEK 18.5 per 10 km);
• allowance for accommodation - for Swedish temporary workers; you need to present a housing rental contract and any related receipts;
• business travel allowance (traktamente) - SEK 230 deduction for the first 90 days and SEK 69 for subsequent days (must be confirmed with tickets, hotel invoices, etc.);
• allowance for costs of purchasing apparatus and tools necessary for work (except telephones and computers) and for costs related to the purchase of protective clothing (except work clothing);
• allowance for the costs of training necessary to maintain a job (does not include training for a new job);
• allowance for the rental of premises for a business or shop (evidenced by a rental agreement);
• allowance for meals - for Swedish temporary workers who present receipts, invoices, etc.;
• dual household tax credit (Dubbelbosättning) - can be used by all Swedish entrepreneurs and employees of Swedish companies if they can prove that they also have a household at their place of residence (e.g. in Poland). This relief can only be used for one year (for a single person whose family wants to move to Sweden) or for three years (for informal and formal unions);
• relief for interest costs on consumer loans and mortgages - this is for employees of Swedish companies who have loans, it must be confirmed by receipts for repayment of instalments;
• relief for social insurance paid in Poland (confirmed by documents translated by a sworn translator into Swedish);
• grundavdrag, i.e. relief for time worked in Sweden - the right to full relief is granted to persons who have worked in Sweden for a full year or to persons whose minimum 90% of their income comes from Sweden.
• INKOMSTDEKLARATION 1, which is the annual return sent by Skatteverket.
• Document E101/A1, which confirms where the insurance premiums have been paid.
• Documents from your employer listing your income for the previous year - KU-10 or KU-13.
• Photocopies of payslips, employment contract and identity card.
• Documents confirming the tax benefits the person wishes to take advantage of.

I'm a Swede who used to work with Americans. These are the main differences I saw in our working cultures.

• Sofia Brandt used to work for Accenture before becoming a founder and lives in Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Brandt shares the aspects of Swedish work culture that might surprise people. 
•  Swedes get 480 days of parental leave that can be split between couples and find bragging uncouth. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Sofia Brandt, cofounder of the therapy app Ally , who lives in Gothenburg, Sweden. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I worked at Accenture for seven years, primarily with American and Swedish corporations, before founding my own startup, a therapy app called Ally.

While at Accenture, I noticed a lot of differences between Swedish and American working styles. There are also aspects of working life in Sweden that I have observed as a founder that make life easier for parents and create better working conditions.

These are the main aspects of working in Sweden that other cultures might find surprising.

Support for working parents

In Sweden, parental leave has become an incubator for new ideas and people often change career direction during their leave. You get 16 months off work to care for a new child, often at full pay, if your company tops up the government provision. You get 480 days of parental allowance shared between parents per child from the state-governed insurance fund.

For the first 390 days, you get around 80% of your salary. You get a smaller amount for the remaining 90 days, around 15 euros a day. That support gives people time to consider their careers and reflect on ideas while caring for their newborn.

During my 12 months of maternity leave from Accenture, I came up with the idea of our startup. Alongside caring for my newborn, I had long stroller walks and other carved-out time spent thinking about my budding business idea and iterating with my fellow co-founders. Being on leave gives you time to think with some distance from everyday life.

I have been financially supported during my parental leave and as my children grow. As a startup founder, you're initially paid very little. We coped because of Sweden's financial provisions for parents.

The subsidized childcare system means we pay less than $125 a month to have both kids at full-time day care, compared to our friends in San Francisco, who pay about $2,900 monthly per child.

Sweden also has "vård av barn", or VAB, a policy where you can take paid days off to stay home and care for your sick child. There's an open culture around it, too, with people saying they're VAB-ing in their out-of-office responses and Slack statuses.

Fathers also have to take three months of parental leave, which is great because it pushes dads to take more of a front seat in their children's lives and gives working moms more flexibility. Out of the 480 days, at least 90 have to be taken by the parent who hasn't taken the majority. Most couples try to split it 50/50, but you can split it however you like. This means that one parent can take 390 days, and the other takes 90 days, or you can split it in half or anywhere between.

Related stories

In 2022, I was about to have my second child. I'd been running Ally for several years, but it wasn't a good time to take my maternity leave. My husband did the first six months, and I took time off afterward. He got comments, mainly from older people, who thought it strange. But for us, it worked perfectly.

Humble approach to work

While at Accenture, I noticed differences between Swedish and American working styles. In Sweden, work-life balance is important, and what you do in your free time plays a bigger part in your identity, whereas it's the opposite in the US.

Sweden has a built-in cultural code called "jantelagen ," where everyone is considered equal. Humility is essential, and talking about money is generally off-limits.

In America, individual success is celebrated. You are loud about your wins and celebrate earning money.

Bragging in Sweden and exaggerating your achievements or being overly flashy is risky, as you may appear obnoxious or crude — but it wouldn't formally jeopardize your job.

When recruiting employees in Sweden, you have to ask yourself whether the candidate is holding back, and in most cases, they are.

You have to push candidates to say what they've been doing, and with international recruiters, Swedes might lose out because they won't talk up their full potential.

My cofounders and I are struggling with "jantelagen." Our all-female founding team needs to pitch ourselves in this tough economic climate. There's a fine line between humility and ambition, and talking to international investors with our Swedish nature is challenging.

Flat companies

We built Ally to be non-hierarchical, but that's not just a startup thing. In Sweden, companies have almost no hierarchy, and everyone has the right to speak up.

You work as a team of individuals, and everybody is accountable. But you must get everybody on board to make a change or decision. It means putting a lot of trust in people to get things done independently. It also creates a strong individual responsibility toward a company's mission.

Collective bargaining, another tenet of Swedish working culture, prioritizes employee needs and gives more power to the employee.

Many people are trade union members, and employers often encourage it. With the union comes greater worker power and expertise in negotiating pay, benefits, and hours, rather than having to fend for yourself and negotiate independently.

Having seen it from both sides, many of these innately Swedish traits help build sustainable businesses over time and safeguard the interests of the employer and employee so everyone can work together positively.

• Main content

• Start staff web
• My employment
• Business travel

Book your business trip

This page contains information about booking business travel. All travel must be booked through the procured travel agency.

SLU's employees are increasingly opting to travel by train for international business trips within Europe. To facilitate such train bookings, SLU has entered into an agreement with a supplementary travel agency that specialises in international rail travel.

SLU staff must still contact the Stureplan travel agency who will pass on the request when necessary. The agreement is in place starting on 1 October 2023.

Contact the travel agency

Personalised service .

Travel should be booked using the   online system . 

Telephone business travel : +46 8 6612500 Telephone, online support : +46 8 52257000 Telephone, groups and conferences : +46 8 6615800

Email, business travel:   [email protected] Email, online support:   [email protected] Email, groups and conferences:   [email protected] Email, finance/invoice:   [email protected]

Office hours (weekdays), business travel:   08:00–17:00 Office hours (weekdays), groups and conferences:   08:30–17:00 Out of hours service   +46 8 6612500, select option 1 to be connected (or call the direct line on +46 770 456462) ( additional fees charged ).

Instructions for booking your business trip

• An instruction video is available on SLU Play: Swedish version English version
• You can download the Cytric Mobile App® for phones, tablets and smartwatches. Use the app to book trains, flights and hotels. iPhone and iPad users can download the Cytric Mobile App® app from the Apple Store and Android users can download the app from Google Play.

SLU has an agreement with the travel agency Stureplans Resor travel. SLU employees have access to their online booking system, Stureplans Online (Cytric). You can either book the trip yourself or use their personalised service. To log in, click the green button above. 

Traveller profile

Your traveller profile must be up to date or you will be unable to book trips..

To be able to receive your tickets, your profile must contain the correct mobile phone number starting with +46. The FAQ section has instructions on how to update your profile. NB: the name on your traveller profile match the name in your passport.

Your profile must contain:

• your full name; 
• your mobile phone number;
• your SLU email;
• your invoice reference;
• your security question and answer.

You can access your traveller profile via Stureplans Online. You must ensure your profile is kept up to date.

The personal security question is compulsory and must be registered on your profile by 1 May 2023. You will not be able to book travel without one.

As part of SLU’s work with increasing security, we have introduced a personal security question that you will need to answer when contacting our travel agency by phone. You can set up the question in your traveller profile in the online booking system.

You will need to log on to your account and complete the question and answer in your traveller profile. Enter a short question and answer, then click save. Make sure to choose a question that are easy to remember and only you know the answer to.

You will be asked to answer this question when you call Stureplans Online

Here you can find the FAQ for trips .

About Stureplans Resor

• Stureplans Resor is a privately owned travel agency based in Stockholm. It was founded in 1980.
• Stureplans Resor is covered by the Travel Guarantee Act, meaning there is a guarantee with Kammarkollegiet that protects travellers. They are also a member of the Swedish Travel Agency Association (SRF) and are IATA accredited.
• Statistics and passenger tracing information will be generated for travel booked via Stureplans Online.

For questions related to your travel and the online booking system, contact [email protected] .

For questions related to your travel invoice, contact [email protected] .

For questions related to the environment and climate compensation, contact [email protected] .

To update your authorisation to book travel on behalf of others, contact   [email protected] .

For help with the online booking system, please read the FAQs and the manual in the online system under Services.