How do I recover unpaid invoices In Sweden?

Recovering unpaid invoices in Sweden follows a structured process that includes reminders, debt collection, and potential legal action. Here’s an overview of the key steps:

1. Send payment reminders: If an invoice remains unpaid after the due date, the first step is to send a friendly reminder. This can be done via email, letter, or phone call. Swedish businesses often send at least one reminder before escalating the matter but you are not obligated to by law.
2. Late payment fees & interest: According to Swedish law, you can charge a statutory late payment interest (referred to as dröjsmålsränta) from the day after the due date. You may also add a reminder fee (påminnelseavgift) if this was stated in the original agreement.
3. Debt collection (Inkasso): If reminders do not result in payment, you can hand over the case to a debt collection agency (inkassobolag), which will send formal collection notices and attempt to negotiate payment. The debtor may also incur an additional collection fee (inkassoavgift).
4. Applying for a payment order (Betalningsföreläggande): If the invoice remains unpaid, you can escalate the matter to Kronofogden (the Swedish Enforcement Authority). They issue a formal payment order, which the debtor must respond to within a set period. If the debtor does not contest the claim, Kronofogden can proceed with enforcement measures, such as wage deductions or asset seizures.
5. Legal Action: If the debtor disputes the claim, the case may be taken to court for further legal proceedings. A court ruling can then be enforced by Kronofogden if necessary.

Sweden has well-defined procedures for debt recovery, and many businesses prefer to work with professional collection agencies to handle unpaid invoices efficiently.

If you need assistance with recovering unpaid invoices, feel free to contact us, and we’ll guide you through the process.