A general power of attorney is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf. This can include the right to make decisions and take actions for you in financial and legal matters. The person who receives the power of attorney becomes the attorney-in-fact and can, for example, manage your banking affairs, sign contracts, or communicate with government agencies on your behalf.

When might you need a general power of attorney?

You may need a general power of attorney when you’re capable of managing your own affairs but, for various reasons, can’t or prefer not to do so. It’s common to establish one, for example, when:

• Someone is traveling or living abroad for an extended period of time.
• It’s important that a trusted relative can help by making crucial decisions quickly when needed.

The general power of attorney is only valid as long as you’re capable of making your own decisions. If you lose the ability to make decisions, for example due to a serious illness, it ceases to be valid. In that case, you would instead need an enduring power of attorney.

Write it yourself or get help from a lawyer

There are two common ways to create a general power of attorney:

• Use a ready-made template
  Many websites offer ready-made templates so you can draw up legal documents. This is a cheaper way to draw up legal documents when needed. When using a template, it’s important to make sure that the document is legally binding and correctly worded. Otherwise, the document can be invalid.
• Use a specialized legal document service
  At Kliently, you can draw up a general power of attorney in Swedish for individuals or businesses through our legal document service. Unlike the ready-made templates available online, our service guides you step by step through the entire document. Since you receive guidance on how to complete the document, you can be confident that your general power of attorney will be complete and legally binding once you receive it.
• Get help from a lawyer
  Sometimes, it can be a good idea to ask a lawyer for help when drawing up legal documents. A lawyer can tailor the power of attorney to your specific needs. This is especially useful when there are factors that could affect how the document needs to be written. And even if you don’t want a lawyer to draft the document, you can still ask to have it reviewed.

Keep in mind

• Choose a trustworthy person – Since the attorney-in-fact is given extensive rights, make sure you choose someone you truly trust.
• Be clear about the scope – Even though a general power of attorney can be broad and apply in many different situations, it can be wise to consider whether you want to specify that the holder isn’t given authority in certain specific matters.
• Store the original safely – Banks or other parties can want to see the original document.
• Consider its validity – If you want to revoke the power of attorney, you have to do so in writing and inform everyone who may have used it.

A general power of attorney can be a secure solution if you need someone to act on your behalf. However, it requires careful consideration of whom you choose and how you want to structure the document.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Samir Baraka, Marie-Louise Silfwerax

To know when you’re entitled to receive vacation allowance, it’s important to first understand the difference between vacation pay and vacation allowance. Vacation pay is what you receive when you’re on vacation. It consists of your regular salary plus an additional amount. This means you get slightly higher pay for a vacation day than for a regular workday. This is to encourage people to take vacation and get the rest and break needed from work.

Vacation allowance is the compensation you’re entitled to for the vacation days you haven’t taken. If you choose to save your vacation days, or if you leave a job and still have vacation days you haven’t taken, you’re entitled to vacation allowance for those days.

When do you receive vacation allowance?

You receive your vacation allowance when you:

• leave your job and still have unused vacation days.
• have a type of employment where you aren’t entitled to paid vacation leave.
• work shorter assignments, for example, if you’re employed by the hour or work on a project without any fixed vacation.

If you have a permanent employment, you usually receive your vacation allowance when you leave your job. At that point, you receive the allowance either together with your final salary or as a separate payment. It depends on the employer’s routines.

When you have a permanent job

When you have a permanent employment, you usually receive paid vacation instead of vacation allowance. This means that on your payslip, you’ll see how many paid vacation days you’ve earned and saved from previous periods. You won’t normally see the exact amount of allowance for those days.

According to the Swedish Annual Leave Act, your employer isn’t allowed to pay out your vacation allowance continuously if you have a permanent employment without an end date. When you resign, or if you’re terminated, you’re entitled to receive vacation allowance for the vacation days you’ve earned but not taken.

Vacation allowance is usually calculated as follows:

• Earned vacation days × daily wage × vacation supplement

If you’re terminated during a probationary period, or if your employment ends without you having worked a full vacation year, you’re still entitled to vacation allowance for the time you’ve worked.

Vacation allowance for short-term assignments

For temporary employment, for example in healthcare, retail, or the restaurant industry, the employer often pays out vacation allowance together with your salary. In that case, your payslip should clearly specify the amount of the allowance when it’s paid. It’s usually an additional 12 percent of your salary.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Dlovan Kassab, Samir Baraka

When you report a crime to the police, a preliminary investigation will be launched. This is a thorough process where the police or prosecutor gathers evidence to determine whether there’s enough basis to press charges against the suspect.

What happens during a preliminary investigation

After you’ve filed a report, the police decide whether to open an investigation. If they choose to proceed, a preliminary investigation begins. The police will then search for and document evidence. This might include traces, injuries, or objects found at the crime scene. They’ll also conduct interviews with relevant individuals, such as yourself, the suspect(s), and other witnesses.

If you’re called in for questioning during the preliminary investigation, it may take place in person, over the phone, or at a police station. It’s important that you attend when summoned. You’re entitled to travel compensation for attending the interview. You can also bring a support person to help you feel safe.

The prosecutor’s role

Both the police and prosecutors can lead a preliminary investigation. Who takes the lead depends on the severity of the crime.

If a prosecutor is in charge, they decide what actions should be taken. This can include who to interview, whether a house search is necessary, or if a compulsory measure—such as DNA testing—is required. The prosecutor also decides whether to detain or request that a suspect be held in custody.

Charges or case dismissal

Once the evidence is collected, the prosecutor decides whether there’s sufficient basis for prosecution. If there is, the case proceeds to trial.

If the prosecutor determines that the evidence is insufficient, they may choose to close the preliminary investigation. In that case, you will be informed of the reason and have the right to request a review if new information arises.

Keep in mind that even if the preliminary investigation is closed, you’re can still be entitled to criminal injury compensation if you were the victim of the crime.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Sofia Hollström

In Sweden, all employees are entitled to vacation according to the Annual Leave Act (semesterlagen). The most common entitlement is 2.08 vacation days per month, with a total of 25 days per year. If you’re newly employed or work part-time, it can be difficult to know exactly how many days you’re entitled to and how they’re calculated each month. Here’s a breakdown of how it works.

How vacation days are calculated

When you start a new job, you earn vacation days during what’s called an “earning year.” A vacation year always starts on April 1 and ends on March 31 the following year. During that period, you earn approximately 2.08 paid vacation days per month if you work full-time, five days a week.

For example, if you start working in July and continue through the rest of the earning year, you’ll earn 19 vacation days:

• From July 1 to March 31, you will have worked 9 months.
• 2.08 × 9 months = 18.72
• Round up 18.72 to 19 days — which is the number of paid vacation days you can take the following year.

The amount of vacation days you earn per month if you work part-time

The Annual Leave Act doesn’t calculate by hours, only by working days per week. You’re still entitled to 25 days of vacation leave, but the number of days is adjusted based on how many days a week you work.

A few examples:

• If you work 4 days a week, you get 80% of 25 days = 20 vacation days per year.
• If you work 3.5 days a week, that’s 70% of 25 = 17.5 days, which is rounded up to 18 days.

You can only take vacation in whole days and only on days you would normally have worked.

If you haven’t worked long enough to earn paid vacation days, you can still take unpaid vacation days. This simply means you have the right to time off, but you won’t receive pay during your leave. Vacation pay or compensation is usually calculated according to collective agreements or a statutory formula.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Dlovan Kassab, Samir Baraka

As of June 17, 2025, a new minimum maintenance requirement applies for those applying for a work permit in Sweden. You must have a salary equal to at least 80% of the current Swedish median salary, which, according to Statistics Sweden (SCB), is now SEK 37,100 per month before taxes. This means that the new maintenance requirement for a work permit is SEK 29,680 per month before taxes.

Who is affected by the change?

All applications submitted on or after June 17, 2025, must meet the new maintenance requirement. This applies to both new work permit applications and extensions of existing work permits. However, if you submitted your application before June 17, the previous maintenance requirement applies instead. In other words, it’s the date you submitted your application—not the date the Swedish Migration Agency makes a decision—that determines which maintenance requirement applies.

The previous minimum maintenance requirement for a work permit was SEK 28,480 per month before taxes and applies to applications submitted between June 18, 2024, and June 16, 2025.

Who is exempt from the maintenance requirement?

Not everyone applying for a Swedish work permit needs to meet the SEK 29,680 per month requirement. The following groups are exempt:

• EU/EEA citizens and their family members
• Seasonal workers
• Applicants for the EU Blue Card or ICT permit
• Au pairs
• Interns through international exchange programs
• Interns in higher education
• Researchers, athletes, and coaches

The groups listed above are subject to other requirements.

Will there be more changes?

The Swedish government has discussed the possibility of raising the maintenance requirement for work permits again. For example, there have been talks about setting the requirement at 100% of the median salary in Sweden instead of the current 80%. If that happens, the new income threshold would be SEK 37,100 per month before taxes. However, no such change has been officially decided at this time—these are still only discussions.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin, Aja Wadii, Caroline Nabavieh

When a close relative passes away in Sweden, you’re required to complete an estate inventory. This is a legal document that outlines the deceased person’s assets and debts, and who the heirs are. The estate inventory must be submitted to the Swedish Tax Agency within four months of the death, which can be stressful during a time of grief. That’s why it’s good to consider early on whether you want to handle the estate inventory yourself or get help with the estate inventory.

What does an estate inventory include?

An estate inventory contains:

• Information about the deceased
• Details about the surviving partner and heirs
• A list of all assets and debts
• Any will, prenuptial agreement, or cohabitation agreement
• Information about the person representing the estate

The estate inventory serves as proof of who’s authorized to represent the estate. You’ll need it to close bank accounts, sell property, or cancel subscriptions, for example.

Doing the estate inventory yourself

It’s entirely possible to prepare the estate inventory yourself instead of hiring a lawyer—especially if the estate is simple and there are no disputes between heirs. If this applies to your situation, we recommend using our contract service, where you’ll receive step-by-step guidance to ensure the estate inventory is accurate and complete. Before you begin, it’s important to know that:

• You’ll need to gather details about all assets and debts.
• You have to check which documents are required for the inventory (such as a will or previous estate records).
• Two executive officials and the person providing the estate details have to sign the document.
• You have to submit the inventory to the Swedish Tax Agency within four months.

Doing the estate inventory yourself can be more affordable, but it requires time and attention to detail. Any mistakes can delay the process or lead to the inventory being rejected.

Getting help with estate inventory

If the estate is complex, there are disagreements among heirs, or if you simply don’t have the time or energy to understand all the rules, it may be wise to consult a lawyer. A lawyer can:

• Collect and appraise assets
• Make sure all legal documents are in order
• Make sure the estate inventory meets all legal requirements
• Help you avoid mistakes that could cause problems later on

Keep in mind – whether you get help with estate inventory or not

Whether you choose to do the estate inventory yourself or get assistance, it’s important to start early. Gather all documents, contact banks and authorities, and check what applies in your specific case. A complete and accurate estate inventory makes the process easier for everyone involved and helps you move forward with inheritance and other practical matters.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Marie-Louise Silfwerax

Becoming a Swedish citizen comes with certain rights, but before you can apply for Swedish citizenship, you need to make sure you meet some requirements. The rules vary depending on your background, but there are a few basic conditions that apply to most people.

Basic requirements you need to meet

To apply for Swedish citizenship, you typically must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have lived in Sweden for a certain period—usually five years, but three years may be enough if you’re living with a Swedish partner.
• Have a permanent residence permit (or right of residence if you’re an EU citizen).
• Have lived a responsible life in Sweden—for example, not committed any crimes.
• Be able to prove your identity with a passport or another accepted document.

The time you’ve lived in Sweden must generally be continuous. Temporary trips abroad usually don’t affect the requirement, but longer stays might cause your qualifying period to reset.

How to prepare your application

Before submitting your citizenship application, it’s important to go through a few things. A common mistake is assuming that living in Sweden for the required number of years is enough—but if, for instance, you’ve recently received a fine or can’t verify your identity, it can affect the decision.

Things to check before you apply for Swedish citizenship

• Make sure your passport is valid and that you have a copy to attach.
• Double-check how long you’ve been registered in Sweden.
• Check whether you have any criminal records. Even minor offenses like traffic violations can delay your citizenship application.
• Make sure all previous decisions from the Swedish Migration Agency are clear and accessible.
• If you’ve changed your name, make sure all your documents match.

It’s also important not to leave out any information. The Swedish Migration Agency carefully reviews all details and documents, and an unclear application can take longer to process—or in the worst case, be rejected. To make sure your citizenship application is complete, it can be helpful to book 15–30 minutes with a lawyer who can review it before you submit.

Things to keep in mind before submitting your application for Swedish citizenship

The easiest way to apply for Swedish citizenship is online via the Swedish Migration Agency’s e-service. You can also send in a paper application, but that will naturally take more time. Be sure to pay the application fee at the same time—otherwise, the processing won’t start.

Being thorough in advance makes the whole process smoother. Many applications are rejected due to simple mistakes or misunderstandings. By double-checking all the requirements and preparing your application properly, you reduce the risk of problems down the line.

Do you need legal help?

We have several lawyers who can help you with this. Book an appointment if you have questions and need counseling, or email us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin, Aja Wadii, Caroline Nabavieh