What you're legally owed
When a B2B invoice goes unpaid in Sweden, the governing statute is Räntelagen (1975:635) (transposing EU Directive 2011/7). It gives freelancers and small suppliers automatic rights to statutory interest and a flat compensation fee on every overdue invoice — no contract clause required.
- Statutory interest
- Riksbank reference rate + 8 percentage points (B2B)
- ~10.25% per year in early 2026
- Flat compensation fee
- SEK 450 (≈€40)
- förseningsersättning
- Default payment term
- 30 days from receipt of invoice; max 60 days B2B
- Public sector max
- 30 days
These amounts accrue automatically from the day after the invoice due date. You do not need a contract clause to invoke them — the statute creates the right directly. A contract can set a higher rate, but not a lower one.
How to enforce it in Sweden
The primary enforcement path for freelancers in Sweden is the Betalningsföreläggande (Kronofogden).
File with the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) for a flat fee of SEK 300. The debtor has 10 days to object. If they don't, the Kronofogden issues an immediately enforceable order and can begin recovery against assets. One of the simplest B2B debt processes in Europe.
Small claims limit: N/A — Kronofogden handles any amount of undisputed debt.
Official portal: www.kronofogden.se
What to do this week
- Add a late-fee clause citing Räntelagen to your contract template. Use the freelance contract template as a starting point.
- Add one line to your invoice footer: “Late payments accrue interest under Räntelagen at Riksbank reference rate + 8 percentage points (B2B), plus a SEK 450 (≈€40) förseningsersättning.”
- When an invoice goes overdue, use the free late-fee calculator to get the exact amount owed, then send a formal demand letter citing the statute. The demand letter guide walks through exactly what to include and what to leave out.
- If the letter's deadline passes, run the escalation playbook — or file directly via the Betalningsföreläggande (Kronofogden), which is designed to be used without a lawyer for undisputed debts.
One thing most freelancers don't know
The Kronofogden is a standalone government enforcement agency that can pursue assets directly once it issues an order. Most EU countries require a separate court enforcement step; Sweden folds both into one.
This guide is a plain-language summary of Räntelagen as it applies to freelancers and small suppliers. It is not legal advice. For disputes over larger amounts, or anything with a contested fact pattern, consult a lawyer admitted in Sweden.