Siren light on roof of police car at street. Themes crime, emergency and help.
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.
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.
Everything you need to know about trademark protection
Have you protected your brand yet?
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 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). Just send an application through 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 instead choose to register your brand by sending in an application by post, it’ll cost you SEK 3,500. 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. For trademark protection 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).
The pro’s of enduring power of attorney between spouses
With an enduring power of attorney, you gain greater control over your future
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.
All the dates regarding your declaration that you need to keep track of
Make sure you’re aware of the dates regarding your income tax return
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.
A selection of this year’s new laws that mainly affect individuals
What do you think of the new laws for 2024?
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.
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).
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 becoming a Swedish citizen. 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.
Get help from a lawyer when applying 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.
Do you think you’ll be fired? Then these are your rights
Being fired can cause a lot of anxiety.
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.
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.
Refugee or person in need of subsidiary protection – what’s the difference?
Do you wonder what applies regarding residence permits for refugee and people in need of subsidiary protection?
If you can’t live safely and securely in your home country, you can apply for asylum as a refugee or a person in need of subsidiary protection. The big difference is that people with refugee status can stay longer in Sweden. But regardless of status, you have the right to appeal if you think the Swedish Migration Agency has given you the wrong status.
If you’re granted residence permit as a refugee
You can be given refugee status if you have had to flee your home country because of it being dangerous to stay there. This has to be because of your ethnicity, nationality, religious or political opinion, gender or sexual orientation. Everyone who has a residence permit in Sweden for at least one year has the right to register here. As a refugee, you get a residence permit for three years. So it’s important that you register yourself in the Swedish population register as soon as you receive your residence permit. This allows you to work here, open bank accounts and receive medical care just as everyone else who’s registered here. If you after the three years can show that you can continue to support yourself in Sweden, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
If you had to leave your family to flee to Sweden, you have the right to be reunited here. This means that your immediate family members can apply for a residence permit in Sweden as relatives. In some cases, you have to be able to show that you can support yourself and your family. And you have to show that you have accommodation that is large enough and of a good standard where you can all live together.
If you have a residence permit in Sweden and have been registered here for at least three years, you also have the right to vote in elections to both county council and municipality.
If you are granted a residence permit as a person in need of subsidiary protection
Being given the status of person in need of subsidiary protection means that there’s a risk that the person will be punished with death, subjected to corporal punishment, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment. It can also be that the person is at risk of being injured due to an armed conflict in the home country. As a person in need of subsidiary protection, you receive a temporary residence permit of 13 months. During that time, you have the right to be registered in Sweden. This makes it possible to work here, open bank accounts and receive the same medical care as everyone else who’s registered here.
When the residence permit reaches its end, you can apply to extend the residence permit. The Swedish Migration Agency then checks again whether there are still risks for you in your home country. Or if they think you can return without risk of being killed or harmed in any way.
Even as a person in need of subsidiary protection, you have the right to be reunited with your immediate family in Sweden. However, starting from December 1st 2023, most people have to be able to support themselves and their family members from day one. In this case as well, it’s important that you have accommodation ready that is large enough and of a good standard.
Married or living together? Is there really a difference?
Are you thinking about which is best, being married or common-law partners?
Have you thought about the legal differences between being married and living together? And how to ensure that you and your partner have good legal protection regardless of which one you choose? There are some differences depending on if you’re married or just living together. But luckily, there are also some legal measures you can take to protect your interests, regardless of your marital status.
When living together, you don’t inherit each other
This is important if you have children. If married, the surviving partner always inherits everything. If you have children together, this will be an advantage as it means that any residences, houses, cars and other assets can remain with the surviving partner. However, if you aren’t married and you have children together, the children will instead inherit the deceased parent in the first place. This means that the surviving parent in many cases needs to sell assets in order to pay out the children’s inheritance. Because of this, many find themselves in a difficult financial situation and are forced to move during a time when the sanctuary of the home and the safety of their own community are most important. To avoid such a scenario, writing a will to regulate the inheritance can be wise.
Joint assets when married or living together
Another important difference between being married or living together is the distribution of your assets. When being married, it’s assumed that everything you own together should be divided equally if you choose to separate. This is also called the right to marital property or community property, meaning that regardless of how much each of you has invested, it doesn’t affect how the assets are divided. Each gets half is what applies. However, if you are common-law partners, only part of your property is regarded as joint. Your home and the things you have bought while living together are considered what you own together. Everything else is considered private property.
Both in a marriage and when living together, however, it’s possible to control who owns what with certain legal documents. As married people, you can write a prenuptial agreement to prevent certain assets from being counted as joint. And as cohabitants, you can sign a cohabitation agreement. Both agreements can be signed before or after you have married/moved in together.
If you want to write a prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement, you can do it yourself here on our website. As long as you have a good grasp of your finances and any legal consequences, it’s simple and easy to set it up on your own. Otherwise you can get the help of a lawyer to ensure that the agreements really fulfill your wishes. Sometimes, for example, you may need to supplement your agreements with other documents, such as deed of gift or promissory note. To find out what applies in your case, the best is to consult a lawyer.
