Glossary

The bidding process
In Sweden, the purchase price is usually set through a bidding process. There is an asking price, but bids can come in both below and above it.

The bidding process is not an auction; the seller has the final say on the sale. The highest bidder usually gets the property, but the seller can decide otherwise. The seller can also accept a direct offer and suspend the bidding.
It is also entirely up to the seller how long the bidding lasts. It usually ends after 1 - 2 weeks, but it can take much longer if the offers do not appeal to the seller.
Just as for the seller, bidding is non-binding for the buyer. You are not bound by your bid as long as there is no purchase contract.
The bidding process is exciting, and prospective buyers often find it nerve-racking. We are by your side and available at any time if you have doubts or questions.

Your own Swedish bank account
Since 2023, Sweden's strict anti-money-laundering law has required payments coming from abroad to be checked. Proof cannot be guaranteed; even foreign bank accounts may already hold “laundered” money. For this reason, Swedish estate agents generally avoid carrying out this check, as heavy penalties threaten if anything is overlooked. The Swedish banks take over the check on the origin of the funds and, if the research is positive, open your bank account.
This process is subject to a fee. Depending on the bank, a Samordningsnummer (coordination number) may not be needed to open an account for the purpose of the purchase. In that case the account is created only for this purpose, not for your own later use for online banking.
We proceed in 2 steps.

1. Compiling all the documents the Swedish bank requires.

2. Arranging an appointment for the necessary personal visit to the bank

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Swedish personal identity number and BankID
A Swedish personal identity number (Personnummer) is not required at all for the purchase process. As a homeowner, you can apply for a Swedish ID if you intend to live in Sweden all year round.
You can then go in person to the Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) with the relevant evidence of your family and financial circumstances. The process takes about 4 - 6 weeks. Once you have received the personal identity number, you can also apply for an ID card. For this, your measurements are taken and a photo is made. The card must then be collected in person. Please note: it is not comparable to a German identity card. You can now go to your bank and apply for a BankID, which allows you to do more with your Swedish account (direct debits etc.).

Tillträde (taking possession) and lagfart (title registration)
The Tillträde appointment is when you actually take possession of the property. The property becomes yours as soon as the payment from your Swedish account to the seller's account is confirmed. You and the seller sign a deed of purchase (Kaufbrief), a document required for the land registry entry.

The land registry entry, called lagfart in Sweden, becomes final once the stamp duty of 1.5% of the purchase price has been transferred. A fee of 825 Kr is also paid.

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Acquisition permit (Förvärvstillstånd)
Non-residents sometimes need an acquisition permit for larger areas, usually from 3 ha of land. The background is the protection of the surrounding rural population, who may exercise a right of pre-emption. The aim of land consolidation may also be pursued. The approval process at the authority costs about 4,800 kr. Processing takes a few weeks, but the decision is almost always positive.