An overwhelming majority of the Swedish government voted yes to a new gender law. This was after much debate regarding what is and is not right for the Swedish citizens. But what does the new gender law actually mean? And how will it make a difference? Below, a summary of the most important changes that the new law will entail.

The new gender law comes into force starting July 1st 2025. Unlike the current law, the new one targets all people who want to change their legal gender. Today, it’s only possible for transgender people to change their legal gender. Other groups, such as people that are non-binary, who doesn’t identify themselves as trans but want to change their legal gender aren’t able to do so under the current law. A persons legal gender is what is stated in your passport and what your Swedish social security number indicates. So it’s not about making physical changes to the body. In other words, the new gender law makes it possible to change legal gender on paper. So you’re not obligated to undergo surgery or physically change gender to do so anymore. This is also something that particularly benefits non-binary people.

The age limit for changing legal gender will also be lowered to 16 compared to today’s 18. And you don’t have to have a gender dysphoria diagnosis to be able to make the change. A simple doctor’s certificate will be enough. However, minors need their guardian’s approval to change their legal gender.

The new Swedish gender law is important for LGBT+ people

Even if the new gender law means some changes for LGBT+ groups, it’s only a step in the right direction according to the RFSL. Their hope is that people will be able to decide their physical and legal gender identity themselves, without the influence of healthcare and authorities. This is to increase the well-being of LGBT+ people, who are more likely to suffer from mental illness and are also at risk of being discriminated against.

If you’re discriminated against, for example at your workplace, because of your gender identity, you can get help from our lawyers at Kliently. Download our app to book a video meeting with our lawyers today.

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If you have family and friends residing in countries outside of EU and Schengen, you may have talked about the possibility for them to visit Sweden. After all, inviting family and friends here is a chance to show off your home and what your life in Sweden looks like, something that’s very important to many. Before you start planning the visit, there are some practical things you need to take care of depending on how long the visit will be.

When someone outside the EU and Schengen wants to visit Sweden for a maximum of 90 days

If you want to invite relatives who want to visit Sweden for a maximum of 90 days, you have to start by filling out an invitation before their visa application. If there are several people who’ll visit you, you have to fill in one form per person. When you’ve done that, you need to send the completed form to the person you’re inviting along with:

• a copy of valid identification showing your identity. Passport or ID card works just fine.
• documentation showing income and assets of the person who’s responsible for providing during the visit. You don’t have to be the provider, it can be someone else. And then you can send a copies of payslips, bank statements, pension notices or similar for the last three months.
• population registration certificate marked “invitation” which can be ordered from the Swedish Tax Agency.

The form and the attached documents has to be submitted to a Swedish embassy or consulate general together with the application for visa.

When someone outside the EU and Schengen wants to visit Sweden for more than 90 days

If the person you want to invite wants to stay for more than 90 days, they have to apply for a residence permit, not a visa. And then you need to fill in an invitation for visits longer than 90 days. If there are several people who’ll visit you, you have to fill in one form per person. Along with the form, you have to send:

• a copy of valid identification showing your identity. Passport or ID card is fine.
• documentation showing income and assets of the person who’s responsible for providing during the visit. You don’t have to be the provider, it can be someone else. And then you can send a copies of payslips, bank statements, pension notices or similar for the last three months.

The form and the attached documents has to be submitted to the Swedish Migration Agency when applying for residence permit.

Do you need help with filling out the forms before the visit?

Dp you need help filling out the forms? Or does your loved one need help applying for a visa or residence permit? Then book a video meeting with one of our lawyers in the Kliently app. The app can be used from anywhere in the world, so even your loved ones can get help with Swedish legislation as long as they download the app. And it’s possible to choose a lawyer based on the different languages the lawyers speak.

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In the Kliently app, we receive a number of calls from people who have been caught for buying sex and want to know what will happen in the future. In the app, you can ask questions directly to a lawyer by booking a video meeting. Then you have the opportunity to go through your case and ask more specific questions. But if you want to know in general what you can expect in terms of punishment, we have summarized the most important information below.

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Consequences when buying sex

In Sweden, it’s illegal to buy sex, but not to sell sex. The reason for that is to protect victims of prostitution and ensure that they won’t be afraid to report crimes, without risking any consequences themselves. In the past, the penalty for buying sex has been a fine, but from 2022 the penalty was raised. Today, you’ll get a prison sentence of up to a year or probation, usually combined with a fine.

If you’re caught for buying sex, you have probably already been questioned by the police. After that, it’s up to the prosecutor to decide if there’s enough evidence to bring charges. If there is, you’ll be called to court where the evidence will be gone through to decide f you are guilty of buying sex, and if so, what your punishment should be.

The prosecutor can also choose to issue a penalty order. That is done instead of bringing charges and only if you, who’ve been caught, accept it. Then you can be sentenced to probation and a fine instead of prison, but only if you admit to the crime. Regardless of whether the prosecutor files charges or issues a penalty order, the conviction will appear in your criminal record.

Do you think you suffer from sex addiction?

For some, buying sex can be a sign of sex addiction. Today, between 3-5% of the population are estimated to suffer from sex addiction, and the majority of them are men. If you think you are suffering from sex addiction, it’s important to get the right help. Otherwise, the risk is that you commit the crime again.

Building and maintaining a strong brand is critical to a company’s success and competitiveness. And through strong trademark protection, you’re able to protect your company against trademark infringement and strengthen its position on the market. You can protect your brand by registering it with the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV) or by, what is called, incorporation.

A brand that has achieved an established position on the market and is well known among consumers is protected by trademark protection. Since establishing this requires a lot of time and work, it’s easiest and most efficient to register your brand. That gives your brand formal rights. It protects your brand from others trying to register brands that could be interchangeable with your brand. And it allows you to use the ®-symbol in marketing.

Important things to consider before registering your brand

Distinctiveness is key to strong trademark protection and simply means that your have to be able to distinguish your products or services from others on the market. To ensure your brand is distinctive enough, it shouldn’t be generic or descriptive of the products or services your brand represents.

If your brand is illegal or violates morals or public order, you won’t be able to register it. You also won’t be able to register it if there’s risk of misleading consumers or if your brand is similar to other protected intellectual property rights.

Register for trademark protection

To make sure your brand is protected, you can register it with the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV). You can easily send in an application on their site and pay SEK 2,400 to register your brand for protection in one class. If you want to protect your brand in more classes, additional fees will apply. If you choose to register your brand by sending in a paper application by post, it will cost you SEK 3,500 instead. Once you’ve submitted your application, it takes approximately 3-4 months before you receive a response.

Regardless of whether your brand is registered or not, you’ll need to pay for your application. But if your brand is registered, the registration will be valid for ten years. You can then renew your registration provided you pay a fee to PRV. The registration only applies to protection in Sweden. To also protect it internationally, you’ll have to turn to other means.

International trademark protection

There are ways to secure international protection through various international agreements and organizations. For example, you can apply for EU trademark registration for trademark protection within the EU. The registration can be made with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

You can also register your brand through the so-called Madrid Protocol, a collaboration among over 80 countries worldwide, and which is administered by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

Do you need help to protect your brand?

Book a video meeting in the Kliently app and we’ll advice you on what would be best for your brand.

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Setting up an enduring power of attorney is relatively new in Sweden as it was only in 2017 that a new law regarding this came into force. The law makes it possible for you to give power of attorney to another person if you should suffer from serious illness, mental disorder or the like. It makes it possible for someone else to, for example, pay your bills and take care of your personal affairs without you having to be present.

Establishing powers of attorney between couples is a way to secure your future. By setting one up you’ll know that your partner can manage your affairs exactly as you would’ve wanted. Nowadays, there are also templates that you can use when you want to draw up one yourself.

Why should you set up an enduring power of attorney?

Even if you and your partner have insights into each other’s affairs, your partner doesn’t have the right to take care of them for you. Your partner doesn’t have the right to make decisions about your healthcare, contact the authorities or handle financial matters on your behalf. So what happens if you don’t have the right paperwork and you become incapable of managing your affairs? Well, then the district court can appoint a limited guardian for you.

The process of getting a limited guardian requires an application to be made with the right documents in place. You need, among other things, proof of identity and consents. In some cases, you may also need a medical certificate or other certificates proving you need a limited guardian. But even with the right documentation, the district court can reject your application. So it’s easier to draw up an enduring power of attorney yourself. Especially since this will make sure you have greater control. You’ll be able to choose who will be allowed to make decisions and about what.

Important to remember

To set up an enduring power of attorney, you have to be of legal age. You also have to sign the papers in front of two witnesses. The ones to whom you give power of attorney cannot act as witnesses. For it to be valid, it has to clearly state:

• that the document is an enduring power of attorney.
• who gets power of attorney.
• in which areas the power of attorney applies.
• if there are special conditions you want to be taken into account.

You can also indicate whether you want to give power of attorney to more than just one person. And in addition, you can indicate whether there should be a reserve if the person you want to have power of attorney is prevented for any reason.

How to write an enduring power of attorney

Writing an enduring power of attorney doesn’t take very long and costs around SEK 500 if you draw it up yourself. You can do this directly on Kliently’s website. Simply fill in the necessary information, print out the document and sign it in front of two witnesses. You’ll then receive a standard agreement with your enduring power of attorney.

If you’d like, you can also tailor the document to your needs together with a lawyer. This is a good option if you have complicated affairs or there are matters that makes a standard agreement insufficient to cover your needs. This way, you’ll get help to set the papers up exactly the way you want them. And you’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get advice from the lawyer on what’s best in your case.

It’s time to declare again and there are some dates that are important to keep track of when it comes to your income tax return. Here’s the list of dates about when and what applies when you have to declare your taxes.

March

• March 4-8 – everyone with a digital mailbox will have their declaration sent there during this period. After March 8, the declaration is also available to everyone on My Pages at the Swedish Tax Agency. There, you can access a pdf file of your income tax return that you can check but not make changes to.
• March 15 – April 15 – if you don’t have a digital mailbox, you’ll receive your income tax return in the mail during this period. But by using e-identification, you can still access your declaration on My Pages at the Swedish Tax Agency. You can even declare starting March 19 regardless of whether you’ve received your declaration by post or not.
• March 19 – now you can declare, that is, you can make the changes you want to make or just accept the declaration as it is. To do this, you’ll need to log in to the Swedish Tax Agency’s e-service Income declaration 1.

April

• April 3 – if you’re going to get money back on your taxes and want the money as soon as possible in April, you need to approve your tax return now. But you can only get your money in April if you approve the declaration without changing it in any way. And only if you approve the declaration digitally.
• April 8-12 – this week you’ll receive your final tax notice if you’ve approved your tax return by April 3. You can see this as a confirmation that your declaration is finished and approved and finished. If you’re going to get money back on your taxes, you’ll get them between 9-12 April. If you instead have to pay more tax, you need to do so by July 12 at the latest.

May

• May 2 – this is the last day to submit your income tax return as long as you haven’t been granted an extension of time to submit the tax return. That is, as long as you haven’t been approved by the Swedish Tax Agency that you can submit your tax return after May 2. If you don’t submit your return on time and you were born in 1959 or later, you may have to pay a late fee of SEK 1,250 or more, depending on when you submit your tax return.
• May 3 – if you have a maximum of SEK 30,000 in tax left to pay, you have to make an extra payment to your tax account now to avoid paying cost interest as well.
• May 16 – if you’ve been granted an extension to submit the tax return later than May 2, you have to submit it now.

June

• June 3-7 – if you declared May 2 at the latest and your tax return is approved, you’ll receive your final tax notice to your digital mailbox now. Otherwise, it will arrive by post 1-3 weeks later. If you’re getting money back on your tax, you’ll receive the money in your account between June 4-7. If, however, you still have tax to pay, you have to have made the payment by September 12 at the latest. The exact date that applies in your case is stated in your final tax statement. But it’s usually 90 days from the date the Swedish Tax Agency sends your final tax statement.
• June 17 – if the Tax Agency has given you an extension to submit your tax return through your accounting firm, this is the last day to declare. This is called an agency deferral and means that your accounting agency has been approved to submit your return later than May 2.

July

• July 12 – if you have taxes left to pay and approved your income tax return back in April and received the final tax notice in the same month, you have to make a payment by this date. The exact date that applies in your case is stated in your final tax statement and is 90 days from the date the Swedish Tax Agency sent your final tax statement.

August

• 5-9 August – you will now receive your final tax notice to your digital mailbox if you didn’t receive it in April or June and declared by May 2. If you don’t have a digital mailbox, you’ll instead receive the final tax notice in the mail 1-3 weeks later. If you also have tax to be refunded, the money will land in your account between August 6-9. If you instead have tax left to pay, you have to make a payment by November 12 at the latest. The exact date that applies in your case is stated in your final tax statement. But it’s usually 90 days from the date the Swedish Tax Agency sends your final tax statement.

December

• December 2-6 – if you haven’t received your final tax statement earlier in the year, or if you lack tax registration in Sweden, you’ll receive your final tax statement to your digital mailbox now. If you don’t have a digital mailbox, you’ll instead receive it in the mail 1-3 weeks later. If you’re going to get money back on your taxes, you’ll receive the money in your account between December 3-6. If, however, you still have tax to pay, you have to have made a payment no later than March 12, 2025. The exact date that applies in your case is stated in your final tax statement. But it’s usually 90 days from the date the Swedish Tax Agency sends your final tax statement.

Talk to a lawyer specialized in finances and declaration

Do you have questions regarding your declaration that you need answers to? Book an appointment in the Kliently app and choose to talk toSofia Bergqvist Salomon who’s specialized in financial legal matters.

The new year means both some tax changes, tougher penalties and completely new laws. These are some of the changes that affect individuals the most.

Expect reduced tax on earned income and pension

The tax on salaries will be lower starting this year thanks to the new employment tax deduction and an increased basic deduction. The increased basic deduction means that the tax on pensions also will be lower. In addition, the age limit for taking part in the employment tax deduction is raised from 65 to 66.

According to Skattebetalarnas website, the tax on your salary will be reduced by:

• SEK 192/month if you have a salary of SEK 16,667/month.
• SEK 293/month if you have a salary of SEK 25,000/month.
• SEK 410/month if you have a salary of SEK 35,000/month.
• 585 kr/månad om du har en lön på 50 000 kr/mån.
• SEK 706/month if you have a salary of SEK 62,500/month.
• SEK 770/month if you have a salary of SEK 125,000/month.

Lower tax on petrol and diesel

For gas, the sum of the energy and carbon dioxide tax will be 60 öre lower per liter compared to 2023. At the same time, the energy tax on diesel in environmental class 1 will be SEK 341 per cubic meter compared to the level that would otherwise have applied with current indexation rules.

New laws affecting taxes on alcohol, tobacco and nicotine

The tax on cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, smoking tobacco and other tobacco will be approximately one percent higher. At the same time, the tax on beer, wine and other fermented beverages will be approximately eight percent higher, while the tax on ethyl alcohol will be approximately one percent higher.

Flying will be more expensive

Due to the flight tax being recalculated, air travel will be SEK 76-504 more expensive per traveler. How much more expensive it will be depends on where you travel to.

This year you’ll receive a total of SEK 150,000 for renovations and household services

Among this year’s new laws, there’s also an increase in the ceilings for ROT and RUT deductions starting July 1st to SEK 75,000 each for work and services performed during 2024. This means that as long as you use no more than SEK 50,000 in ROT deductions and no more than SEK 75,000 in total in both ROT and RUT deductions during the first half of the year, you’ll have the right to use the remaining deductions during the second half of the year. The increase only applies to 2024 and means that the deductions for ROT and RUT together are doubled.

The deduction for renting out homes is also being increased

The standard deduction for renting out private residential properties, private residences and rental apartments is now SEK 50,000. The previous deduction was SEK 40,000. The deduction is shared for rental and sale of products from private residential properties and private residences.

There is now a new scrapping premium for older cars

Starting this year, the government is introducing a temporary scrapping premium that will apply during 2024-2025. The premium goes to those who scrap older cars and then choose to buy or lease an electric car instead.

Tougher penalties for crimes involving firearms and explosive goods

The penalties for crimes involving firearms and explosive goods are now stricter. This applies to possession of weapons and smuggling of weapons or explosive goods. Aggravated weapons offence and aggravated weapons smuggling will now result in imprisonment for 4-7 years. Previously, it resulted in imprisonment for 2-5 years. Exceptionally aggravated weapons offence and exceptionally aggravated weapons smuggling will result in imprisonment for 6-10 years. Previously, it resulted in imprisonment for 4-7 years.

Among this year’s new laws, security guards gets greater authority

Starting this year, a new law comes into force that gives security guards greater authority. The new law will allow security guards to conduct body searches to determine someone’s identity, destroy seized alcohol and, in some cases, transport people in custody. According to the police’s website, the change of authority is because they see a greater need to be able to use security guards in crime prevention and safety-creating work to maintain public order and safety in society.

This is a question many people ask us. If you already have citizenship in another country, it’s not always easy to get citizenship in Sweden. The processing times are very long, but one positive aspect is that of the applications that were decided on in 2022, 84 percent were granted Swedish citizenship. If you want to become a Swedish citizen, there are a couple of criterias you need to meet to increase the chance for granted citizenship.

Firstly, you can either apply or register for Swedish citizenship. Registering for citizenship can only be done by minor children, young adults between the ages of 18-21 and other Nordic citizens. Depending on the type of registration, the requirements will differ, but in all cases this is an easier way to become a Swedish citizen compared to when you apply for citizenship.

To instead apply to become a Swedish citizen, you have to:

• be at least 18 years old.
• have a valid ID document.
• have lived in Sweden for a certain amount of years (this differs, among other things, depending on what kind of residence permit you’ve had during your time in Sweden).
• have a permanent residence permit, right of residence, residence card or residence status.

In addition, it helps if you:

• are debt-free and haven’t committed any crimes in Sweden.

Having debts or having committed crimes in Sweden doesn’t neccessarily prevent you from obtaining Swedish citizenship. However, you have to have paid off your debts, served your sentences and waited some time before applying for citizenship.

When submitting an application for citizenship, it helps if you send as detailed information as possible. A tip is to have someone help you out. That way, you can make sure you haven’t missed anything that might be important to include in your application.

Book a lawyer when you want to become a Swedish citizen

Do you need help submitting an application for Swedish citizenship? Make an appointment with our lawyers in the Kliently app today. They will help you with any questions you have and guide you through the process if you want.

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With the strained economic situation and the fact that prices throughout society are increasing, it’s also becoming more difficult for many companies to run their businesses without incurring a loss. For many companies, this means they’ll have to review the workforce and possibly lay off employees. If you think you might be laid off, or if you already have been, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Employees in Sweden have basic protection through LAS (the Employment Protection Act). It clearly states which rules apply when hiring and firing and employee and when an employee quits. LAS protects employees and prevents an employee from being fired without reasonable cause. For example, employers can’t fire staff due to personal reasons. And there is, for example, a certain procedure employers need to follow if they plan to fire several employees. According to LAS, collective agreements are to be used in cases where there is one. If not, the employment contracts should be used.

If an employer plans to lay off staff, there is a certain order in which the decisions must be made. The employer also has to contact the union for negotiation with the employees. According to law, you have the right to receive written notice of termination. And if you’re reassigned during your notice period, you also have the right to keep both the salary and benefits you previously had. Your employer isn’t allowed to lower your salary or remove any of your benefits as a result of the relocation.

What about leave when you are laid off?

If you’re on parental leave when you’re dismissed, the notice period only starts from the day you return to work. Your notice period can’t start to apply during your parental leave. And if you already have vacation planned, or if you have applied for vacation, you have the right to request that it not be taken during the notice period. Your employer can’t force you to take vacation during your notice period if you don’t want to. And your employer can’t force you to work during your notice period if you’ve already been granted leave before you’re dismissed. However, these rules only apply when the notice period is a maximum of six months.

You also have the right to look for a job while also receiving a salary. In other words, you’re entitled to time off to attend job interviews and such. You do have to apply for leave in advance. And it’s important to remember that you have a duty of loyalty to your employer even during the notice period. This means you have to follow the rules stated in your employment contract. This also applies if it’s decided that you’ll be released from work during the notice period. However, you can always come to an agreement that allows you to search for and start a new job before the notice period ends. But it’s important that you get this clarified with your employer and that you get it in writing.

Did you know that companies have to draw up a special agreement for their CEO? The CEO isn’t covered by the Employment Protection Act (LAS) and usually not by collective agreements either. This is why an ordinary employment agreement isn’t enough, and a special agreement that covers the extensive terms of employment must be drawn up. In other words, a CEO agreement.

1. What are the CEO’s responsibilities?

As CEO, you’re responsible for a company’s day-to-day operations and have ultimate responsibility according to, among other things, the Work Environment Act, the Environmental Code, the Tax Act, the Annual Accounts Act and the Accounting Act, as well as labor laws. So it’s important to clearly state in the agreement which areas of responsibility are included. You can also draw up a special CEO instruction that clarifies the division of work and responsibility within the board members and other functions.

2. What are the specifics concerning the CEO’s employment protection?

Since the CEO isn’t covered by LAS, it’s important to write down exactly what form of employment they have, how long the notice period is and how notice is given, as well as if, how and in which situations the company can fire them. Most often, the notice period is a few months and can be the same regardless of whether it concerns a dismissal or the CEO being fired. It’s also common to then receive a severance payment which means you also have to state how much that will be and when it will be paid out.

3. How and how much will the CEO be paid?

In addition to salary, the CEO can also receive a bonus for the work they perform. There are usually conditions for bonus payment. That is, goals that they have to reach to get the bonus. As well as when it’s paid out in that case. The agreement should also state when it’s time to renegotiate the compensation going forward.

4. Make sure you have a confidentiality clause

As CEO, you’re sitting on a lot of information that can be valuable for competing businesses. So it can be good to include a confidentiality clause in the agreement. In it, you specify what is confidential and may not be shared with external parties. This way, you can ensure that your trade secrets are protected both while the CEO is with you and after they have left the company.

5. Non-competing clauses are important

It is just as important to have a non-competing clause in the agreement. Through the clause, you can prevent the CEO from going to and working for a competitor immediately after employment with your company. Most often, this is done by offering compensation for the time they’re not allowed to work at competing businesses. However, it is important to remember that non-competing clauses can’t be too extensive. Make sure to check with a lawyer if your agreement holds up to be on the safe side.

6. What are the consequences for breach of contract?

If the CEO violates any of the terms of the agreement, it needs to be clearly stated what the consequences are. Most of the time, it usually means that they have to pay a fine. And you have to state how big the fine will be and whether the company has liability insurance to cover certain situations.

7. How do you resolve any disputes?

If a dispute arises between the company and the CEO, it’s easiest to resolve them in an arbitration court. Just because the process is faster, the verdict isn’t public and it isn’t possible to appeal either.

Write your contract today!

Do you need help drawing up a CEO agreement? Prepare one together with our lawyers for SEK 8,995 or on your own for SEK 799.