Managing corporate relocations requires careful planning, coordination, and knowledge of local legal procedures. A change of registered office in Sweden involves more than just a new address; it demands adherence to official notifications, proper documentation, and compliance with multiple regulatory authorities.
This guide breaks down the process, offering practical steps for foreign businesses to handle the move efficiently, avoid errors, and ensure their company remains fully compliant throughout the entire office registration update.
Key Highlights
- Follow a step-by-step approach, starting with board or shareholder approval and ending with updated registration with Bolagsverket.
- Notify all relevant authorities on time, including the Swedish Companies Registration Office, Tax Agency, and sector-specific regulators.
- Prepare complete documentation, including board/shareholder resolutions, proof of new premises, and all required signed submission forms.
- Avoid delays and penalties by ensuring all paperwork is complete, accurate, and up-to-date before submission.
- Consider professional support to manage filings, coordinate with authorities, and ensure a smooth, compliant address change process.
Why Companies Change Their Registered Office
Companies update their registered office address for both practical and strategic reasons. Common reasons for changing the registered address include:
- Relocating to a new office or city
- Expanding operations into a larger or more central location
- Switching to a new registered agent or service provider
- Reducing rent or improving operational efficiency
No matter the trigger, completing a change of registered office in Sweden ensures that government notices, tax letters, and legal documents reach the right place. If the address on record is outdated, a company could miss deadlines, compliance requests, or critical legal correspondence. Keeping this information current protects the business and preserves smooth communication with authorities.
Maintaining an accurate registered office isn’t optional; it’s essential for ongoing compliance and operational continuity.
Understanding the Registered Office Requirement in Sweden
A registered office is the official legal address of a company. It is the point where authorities send formal notices, tax communication, and regulatory correspondence. In Sweden, this requirement is governed by the Swedish Companies Act and administered by the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket).
Under the Act, every company must register key information with Bolagsverket, including its legal name, form of business, registered office, company identification number, and the address where creditors and shareholders can obtain information. This makes the registered office a central part of corporate transparency and compliance.
A change of registered business office in Sweden must always be filed with Bolagsverket, and updating an address with postal services, such as “Svensk adressändring,” is not enough. Companies may also update their visiting address with the Swedish Tax Agency, but this requires reviewing existing registrations for F-tax, VAT, employer status, and SNI codes.
Maintaining an accurate registered office ensures that all legal notices reach the company and that corporate records stay up to date.
Who Can Approve the Change of Registered Office
A company cannot update its legal address until the decision is approved internally. In most Swedish limited companies, this starts with the board of directors.
- Board Resolution: The board typically passes a formal resolution confirming the new address, the effective date, and who is authorized to file the paperwork with Bolagsverket. The authorized person is usually a director or company secretary.
- Shareholder Approval (When Required): Some companies have articles of association or shareholder agreements that require shareholder consent. This is more common when the address change impacts operations, regional presence, or branch activity.
After approval, the appointed representative prepares the documents, gathers signatures, and submits the change of registered address in Sweden to the Bolagsverket.
This internal workflow ensures the change is legally valid, properly recorded, and aligned with company governance rules before any filings are made with authorities.
Types of Registered Office Changes in Sweden
For businesses seeking to undertake a company address change in Sweden, the process can vary depending on how far the move goes. Here are the three legal variations:
- Change within the same municipality: Moving the registered office to a different address but in the same municipality typically involves the simplest procedure and fewer formalities.
- Change from one municipality to another: Moving the registered office to a different municipality triggers additional notifications and may require updated details in the company’s articles or registered documents.
- Change to another region: Relocating to a different Swedish region introduces the most jurisdictional shift, possibly involving more extensive administrative review and multiple authorities.
The Swedish legal framework differentiates these scenarios because registrar responsibilities and local regulatory oversight change with each step. Moving within the same municipality keeps the same local registrar handling filings, while moving across municipalities or regions may shift oversight to different bodies, increasing the level and complexity of approval required.
Step‑by‑Step Process to Change the Registered Office in Sweden
Changing your company’s registered office in Sweden involves both internal approvals and official filings. Completing the process accurately ensures that all government communications, tax correspondence, and stakeholder notices are properly directed.
While the exact timeline can vary depending on the municipality and region, following a clear step-by-step approach helps avoid delays, compliance issues, and missed notifications.
Step 1. Pass a board/shareholder resolution: Begin by convening the board of directors (and, if required by the articles of association, the shareholders’ meeting) to approve the relocation of the registered office. The decision should specify the new address, the effective date, and name the authorized person who will handle the filing.
Step 2. Prepare and file the notice of change with the business registry: Submit the standard form for reporting an address change to the Bolagsverket. The form must include the company’s registration number, the new address, and authorized signatory details.
Step 3. Submit updated address documents and utility proofs: Provide proof of the new premises (lease agreement, property ownership, or utility bill) if required. Ensure the company’s articles of association reflect the new registered office when necessary.
Step 4. Notify tax authority, banks, and stakeholders: Inform the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) and update registrations for VAT, F‑tax, employer registration, and SNI codes. Notify banks, insurers, clients, and suppliers to maintain smooth operations.
Following these steps ensures a compliant and smooth change of registered office in Sweden.
Documents Required for Address Change
When updating a company’s registered office, having the correct documentation is essential for a smooth process. Company address change filing requirements in Sweden typically include:
- Board or Shareholder Resolution: Official approval of the new address, including the effective date and authorization of the person filing the change.
- Proof of New Address: Lease agreement, property ownership documents, or utility bills verifying the company’s new premises.
- Business Registration Form: The standard form submitted to Bolagsverket to report the address change.
- Identity Proof of Signatories: Valid ID for the director, company secretary, or authorized representative submitting the filing.
Note: Filing requirements may vary depending on the type of company or municipality. It is important to confirm the exact forms and documents required for your situation with Bolagsverket or a professional service provider before submission.
Having all documents correctly prepared ensures faster processing, prevents rejection, and keeps your company compliant with Swedish legal obligations.
Regulatory Authorities to Notify
After a registered office amendment in Sweden, it’s crucial to inform the correct authorities to maintain compliance and keep communications flowing. Here are the main bodies you should notify:
- Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket): the company registrar responsible for recording changes to your legal address, board, and company details.
- Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket): where you must update your business’s tax registrations, including VAT, F‑tax, employer status and other obligations.
- Labor or employment‑related authorities: if your change affects where you employ staff or where payroll is managed, additional registrations may need updating.
- Your bank, insurance companies, clients and suppliers: though not regulatory, these stakeholders must be made aware of your new registered office to avoid misdirected contracts or statutory notices.
Failing to submit timely notifications can lead to delays, service interruptions, or even regulatory penalties and fines. Make sure all notifications are made within the deadlines set by each authority.
Updating Business Stationery and Digital Assets
After a change of registered office in Sweden, it’s essential to update all business communications to reflect your new address. Key updates include:
- Official stationery: Revise letterheads, invoices, contracts, and email signatures to reflect the new address, ensuring legal documents are valid and consistent.
- Digital presence: Update website footers, Google Business, LinkedIn, and other online profiles so clients, partners, and regulators can easily reach you. Include the new address in your contact pages and service descriptions.
- Domain and subscriptions: Update WHOIS records, email domains, and any subscriptions tied to the company’s address to avoid service interruptions or misdirected notifications.
- Marketing materials: Review brochures, business cards, and promotional content to prevent confusion and maintain a professional brand image.
Keeping your contact information consistent across physical and digital channels reinforces professionalism and compliance. Accurate details prevent misdirected correspondence, maintain customer trust, and ensure that official notices from authorities reach your company without delays.
Penalties or Legal Consequences of Not Updating the Registered Office
Failing to complete a compliant change of registered office in Sweden can expose your business to significant risk. If you don’t update your address with the Swedish Bolagsverket or Skatteverket, you may miss legal notices, tax demands or regulatory correspondence, leading to missed deadlines and potential liabilities.
Swedish legislation now treats failure to notify correct details in public records as a serious matter; if incorrect or incomplete information is registered intentionally, it can lead to fines or even criminal proceedings.
- In situations involving serious negligence or deliberate wrongdoing, companies may be liable for corporate penalties ranging between SEK 5,000 and SEK 10 million.
- An individual who violates public records regulations may face fines or imprisonment for up to six months. If the offense is classified as a felony, the prison term can extend up to two years.
Timely updating of your registered office safeguards your compliance status, protects your reputation and helps you avoid costly regulatory consequences.
Best Practices When Changing Your Registered Office
Successfully completing a change of registered office in Sweden requires careful planning and attention to detail. The following best practices ensure compliance and avoid delays or penalties:
- Maintain a documentation trail: Keep copies of board resolutions, filing forms, proofs of address, and correspondence with authorities to support audits or queries.
- Cross-check filing deadlines: Review all submission timelines with Bolagsverket, Skatteverket, and other relevant authorities to ensure updates are made on time.
- Keep both addresses active during the transition: Where possible, maintain mail forwarding or notifications at the old address until the new registered office is fully recognized. This prevents missed correspondence or business interruptions.
- Work with professional compliance agents: Experienced service providers can guide you through filings, help prepare accurate documents, and communicate with Swedish authorities efficiently.
Following these practices streamlines the process, reduces the risk of errors, and helps your company remain fully compliant throughout the address change.
What to Consider When Moving Your Registered Office Internationally
Relocating a company’s registered office across borders involves more than simply updating an address. Companies must carefully assess legal, tax, and regulatory implications in both the current and new jurisdictions.
This includes reviewing corporate governance requirements, local registration rules, tax residency obligations, and potential impacts on employment law. For foreign businesses planning a change of registered office in Sweden, it’s important to ensure all filings comply with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and the Tax Agency, while coordinating with authorities in the original country to avoid conflicts or double reporting.
To prevent penalties and compliance issues, while ensuring a smooth transition across jurisdictions, opting for professional help allows companies to maintain uninterrupted operations during the move.
Working with a professional partner like Commenda ensures that every step is handled accurately.
How Commenda Simplifies Your Registered Office Change
Changing a registered office can be complex, especially for foreign businesses managing multiple jurisdictions. Commenda acts as a trusted compliance partner, streamlining the entire process from start to finish.
With deep country-specific expertise, Commenda ensures all internal approvals, board resolutions, and filings comply with local laws. Automated workflows reduce human error, track deadlines, and manage submissions efficiently, saving time and minimizing risk.
Whether it’s submitting forms to Bolagsverket in Sweden, updating the Tax Agency, or coordinating with banks and stakeholders, Commenda handles every detail. With our solutions, companies can complete a change of registered office in Sweden, or in any jurisdiction, with confidence, knowing that filings are accurate, deadlines are met, and compliance obligations are fully satisfied.
Ready to simplify your registered office update in Sweden? Book a free demo with Commenda today!
FAQs
Q. What is a company registered office, and why is it required in Sweden?
A registered office is the official legal address of your company where authorities send legal notices, tax documents, and regulatory correspondence. It ensures compliance with the Swedish Companies Act and proper communication with regulators.
Q. Can I use my home address as the registered office in Sweden?
Yes, a home address can be used if permitted under your company’s articles of association, but it must be a reliable location for receiving official correspondence.
Q. How long does it take to change the registered office address in Sweden?
The process typically takes a few weeks, depending on internal approvals, documentation readiness, and processing time at Bolagsverket.
Q. Do I need to inform the tax authority when I change my registered office address?
Yes, the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) must be notified to update VAT, F-tax, employer, and other registrations.
Q. What documents are required to change the registered office address for a company?
You generally need a board or shareholder resolution, proof of the new address, completed registration forms, ID of authorized signatories, and payment of any applicable fees.
Q. Can a company move its registered office from one city to another or from one region to another in Sweden?
Yes, but moving across municipalities or regions may require additional approvals and documentation due to changes in registrar jurisdiction.
Q. What happens if I do not update my company’s registered office address within the timeframe?
Failure to update can result in fines, missed legal correspondence, or even risk of deregistration in severe cases.
Q. How can Commenda help with changing my company’s registered office in Sweden?
Commenda handles the entire process, from preparing resolutions and filing forms to notifying authorities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a smooth transition.
