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Updated 23. June 2026
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Ekomni
Representative example: Amount granted: 4,500 SEK, repayment period: 6 months, fixed nominal annual interest rate: 22.00%, arrangement fee: 499 SEK (deducted from the approved credit amount on disbursement), statement fee (monthly administration fee) SEK 69, effective interest rate 154.36%, monthly cost SEK 798.85, total amount to be repaid including all fees: 5,207.12 kr.
Enkelfinans
Representative example: Calculation example: 12-year annuity loan, amount SEK 400,000, variable interest rate 7.99%, arrangement fee SEK 400, statement fee SEK 20, resulting in an effective interest rate of 8.41%. Total amount to be repaid: SEK 626,457, spread over 144 instalments, giving a monthly cost of SEK 4,348. Repayment period: 1–20 years. Maximum interest rate: 22.00%. Interest rate range: 4.50–22.00%. Updated 15 August 2025.
Saldo Bank Kontokredit
Representative example: If the credit facility of 5,000 SEK is utilised at a fixed nominal interest rate of 39.5% for 12 months, the total amount to be repaid is 6,672.89 SEK (556.07 SEK per month), which corresponds to an effective annual interest rate of: 74.4%.
Viaconto
Representative example: If you borrow 8,500 kr with a repayment period of 17 months, a nominal, non-binding annual interest rate of 23% will apply. The annual percentage rate (APR) you will pay is 89.29%. The total amount you will pay after 17 months and 17 instalments is 17,000 kr. See an example of the repayment schedule here. To find out more, click here.
Lendo SE
Representative example: Calculation example: 12-year annuity loan. Effective annual interest rate 9.63%. A loan of 200,000 kr would then cost 2,302 kr per month (144 instalments), i.e. a total of 331,495 kr. No arrangement or administration fees. 9.23% nominal interest rate (variable rate, set individually based on your circumstances). Your application will be sent to the lenders that best match your profile, updated 9 January 2025.
Ekonomen
Representative example: A 12-year annuity loan of 400,000 SEK, with a variable interest rate of 7.99%, an arrangement fee of 400 SEK and a statement fee of 20 SEK, results in an effective interest rate of 8.41%. Total amount to be repaid: SEK 626,457, spread over 144 instalments, giving a monthly cost of SEK 4,348. Repayment period: 1–20 years. Maximum interest rate: 23.00%. Interest rate range: 4.95% – 23.00%. Updated 1 March 2025
Loanstep
Representative example: A loan of 25,588 kronor taken out on 6 May 2025 at a variable interest rate of 19.95 per cent, with a repayment period of 72 months, entails 72 instalments of approximately 665 kronor, a 588 kronor arrangement fee and a 49 kronor monthly administration fee. This results in an effective interest rate of 26.96 per cent, and the total amount to be repaid is 48,440.33 kronor.
Lånekoll
Representative example: Calculation example: For an annuity loan of 300,000 kr with an arrangement fee of 0 kr, a repayment term of 15 years, a variable interest rate of 7.0%, an effective interest rate of 7.23%, this results in (180) monthly payments of 2,696 kr, with a total repayment amount of 485,367 kr.
Finlo.se
Representative example: A 12-year annuity loan of 400,000 SEK, with a variable interest rate of 7.99%, an arrangement fee of 400 SEK and a statement fee of 20 SEK, results in an effective interest rate of 8.41%. Total amount to be repaid: SEK 626,457, spread over 144 instalments, giving a monthly cost of SEK 4,348. Repayment period: 1–20 years. Maximum interest rate: 23.00%. Interest rate range: 4.95% – 23.00%. Updated 1 March 2025
Credifi
Representative example: A loan of 20,000 kr at an interest rate of 22 per cent, with a repayment period of fifteen months (comprising fifteen instalments of 2,957 kr, 1,880 kr, 1,854 kr, 1,829 kr, 1,803 kr, 1,777 kr, 1,752 kr, 1,726 kr, 1,700 kr, 1,674 kr, 1,649 kr, 1,623 kr, 1,597 kr, 1,572 kr and 1,546 kr) plus a set-up fee of 588 kr, a service fee of 2,435 kr for the instalment plan and statement fees of 855 kr, resulting in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 kr. The term of the credit and the associated costs may change if the credit limit is increased.
Coop Bank
Representative example: At a variable interest rate of 7.35%, the effective annual interest rate is 7.60% for an annuity loan of 155,000 SEK with a 10-year repayment term, comprising a total of 120 instalments, an arrangement fee of SEK 0 and a statement fee of SEK 0 with direct debit. Assuming the interest rate and statement fee remain unchanged, the total amount to be repaid will be SEK 219,693 and the monthly cost will be SEK 1,838.
Lumify
Representative example: A loan of 20,000 kr at an interest rate of 22 per cent, with a repayment period of fifteen months (comprising fifteen instalments of 2,957 kr, 1,880 kr, 1,854 kr, 1,829 kr, 1,803 kr, 1,777 kr, 1,752 kr, 1,726 kr, 1,700 kr, 1,674 kr, 1,649 kr, 1,623 kr, 1,597 kr, 1,572 kr and 1,546 kr) plus a set-up fee of 588 kr, a service fee of 2,435 kr for the instalment plan and statement fees of 855 kr, resulting in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 kr. The term of the credit and the associated costs may change if the credit limit is increased.
Brixo
Representative example: The loan has a variable nominal annual interest rate of 19.95%, an arrangement fee of 475 kr and a monthly administration fee of 25 kr. An example loan of 75,000 kr, repaid at 1,648 kr per month over 90 months, has an annual percentage rate (APR) of 22.8%. This means the total cost of the loan is 73,320 kr.
Klicklån
Representative example: A loan of 45,000 kronor at a fixed interest rate of 24.24%, with a repayment period of 84 months, comprising 84 instalments of 1,135 kronor and a 695 kronor arrangement fee (which is added to the loan) and a 19 kronor administration fee, results in a total effective interest rate of 28.73%. The total amount to be repaid is 96,894 kronor.
Flexkontot
Representative example: All other product features remain unchanged, as do the requirements we place on our customers. New representative example: The loan has a nominal variable annual interest rate of 21.95%, an arrangement fee of 575 kr and a monthly administration fee of 39 kr. An example loan of 20,000 kr, repaid at 1,964 kr per month over 12 months, has an annual percentage rate (APR) of 36.4%. This means a total cost of the loan of 3,568 kr.
Fairlo
Representative example: With a monthly repayment of 2,881 kr for 12 months, the effective interest rate is 30.6% and the total amount to be repaid is 34,566 kr.
Daypay
Representative example: Borrow 15,000 kr for 24 months. Total amount to be repaid: 18,847 kr, i.e. 785 kr per month. Fixed annual interest rate: 22%. Annual percentage rate (APR): 28%. Arrangement fee: 350 kr. Total statement fees: 59 kr.
Thorn
Representative example: A loan of 90,000 kronor at a fixed interest rate of 21.60%, with a repayment period of 84 months, comprising 84 instalments of 2,100 kronor and a 595 kronor arrangement fee (which is added to the loan) and a 19 kronor administration fee, results in a total effective interest rate of 24.59%. The total amount to be repaid is 177,992 kronor.
Tomly
Representative example: A loan of 20,000 kr at an interest rate of 22 per cent, with a repayment period of fifteen months (comprising fifteen instalments of 2,957 kr, 1,880 kr, 1,854 kr, 1,829 kr, 1,803 kr, 1,777 kr, 1,752 kr, 1,726 kr, 1,700 kr, 1,674 kr, 1,649 kr, 1,623 kr, 1,597 kr, 1,572 kr and 1,546 kr) plus a set-up fee of 588 kr, a service fee of 2,435 kr for the instalment plan and statement fees of 855 kr, resulting in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 kr. The term of the credit and the associated costs may change if the credit limit is increased.
Merax
Representative example: The loan has a nominal variable annual interest rate of 21.95%, an arrangement fee of 575 SEK and a monthly administration fee of 39 SEK. An example loan of 20,000 kr, repaid at 1,964 kr per month over 12 months, has an annual percentage rate (APR) of 36.4%. This means the total cost of the loan is 3,568 kr.
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Securing loans in Sweden as a foreign resident requires a firm understanding of the local credit system, which differs significantly from the models used in the UK or North America. Swedish lenders rely heavily on centralized data provided by Upplysningscentralen (UC), where your financial history is meticulously tracked from the moment you receive your personnummer. Unlike systems that prioritize individual credit scores, the Swedish model looks at your total debt-to-income ratio and your historical tax records to determine your borrowing capacity.
For expats, the most important hurdle is often the residency requirement. Most financial institutions expect you to have been registered in the national population register for at least one year. This period allows the lender to verify your reported income through the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). If you have recently moved to the country, obtaining unsecured financing for newcomers may be difficult until you have completed at least one full tax cycle. This guide provides information for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice; approval is never guaranteed and depends on your specific financial situation.
The Role of the Personnummer and UC
Your personnummer is the key to almost every financial transaction in the country. When you apply for credit, the lender will perform a credit check, usually via UC. It is a common misconception that multiple credit checks have no impact. In reality, too many inquiries within a short period can lower your creditworthiness, as it signals to banks that you may be struggling to manage your finances or are seeking excessive debt. If you are looking to combine existing high-interest debts into a single payment, you might consider a refinancing option for existing credits to reduce your monthly overhead.
Sweden also utilizes a system called ‘Betalningsanmärkning’ or non-payment records. If you miss a payment and the debt is referred to the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden), a mark is placed on your record for three years. This effectively blocks you from most traditional lending products. Maintaining a clean record is essential for anyone hoping to access competitive interest rates or long-term credit solutions.
Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Residents
While each lender has its own internal risk assessment, there are standard benchmarks that most institutions follow. Expats must typically demonstrate a stable income from a Swedish employer or a Swedish pension. Income earned abroad is rarely considered unless it is being taxed within the Swedish system and can be verified through local tax returns.
| Requirement | Standard Expectation |
|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 18, often 20+ for larger amounts |
| Residency | Registered in Sweden for 12+ months |
| Employment | Permanent contract (Tillsvidareanställning) preferred |
| Income | Minimum 10,000 SEK to 15,000 SEK per month |
| Credit History | No active records with Kronofogden |
Temporary residents or those on short-term work permits may find the market more restrictive. Lenders generally want to see that your permit duration exceeds the term of the loan. For those looking to purchase a vehicle, specialized financing for a new car often allows the vehicle itself to serve as collateral, which can sometimes ease the strictness of the residency requirements compared to completely unsecured products.
Understanding Interest Rates and Fees
Interest rates in Sweden are typically quoted as an annual percentage rate (Effektiv ränta), which includes both the nominal interest and any associated fees, such as setup fees (Uppläggningsavgift) or monthly administration fees (Aviseringsavgift). Because these small fees can add up, the effective rate is the only reliable way to compare the true cost of borrowing across different providers.
Most consumer loans in Sweden use variable interest rates, meaning your monthly payment can fluctuate based on the Riksbank’s policy rate and market conditions. Fixed-rate options are more common in the housing market, where many expats seek a mortgage for a Swedish property. Always ensure you have a buffer in your monthly budget to account for potential rate hikes, as the Swedish market is highly sensitive to central bank adjustments.
Application Process and Digital ID
The speed of the Swedish financial system is largely due to BankID. This digital identification system allows you to sign loan agreements and verify your identity instantly. Without a BankID, the application process becomes significantly more manual, involving physical paperwork and longer processing times. If you have your digital ID ready, many lenders can provide a preliminary decision within minutes.
Before applying, it is wise to review your current debt level. Sweden has a high household debt-to-income ratio, and regulators have introduced measures to prevent over-indebtedness. Lenders will calculate your ‘Left to Live On’ (Kvar att leva på) budget, which subtracts all your expenses and debt obligations from your after-tax income. If this calculation does not meet their internal threshold, the application will be rejected regardless of your total salary. Taking a disciplined approach to your finances will significantly improve your chances when applying for loans in Sweden.
Can I get a loan in Sweden without a personnummer?
No, a personnummer is a mandatory requirement for almost all financial products in Sweden. It is used to track your credit history and verify your identity via BankID.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
For unsecured personal loans, the limit is typically around 600,000 SEK. However, the actual amount you are offered depends on your verified income and existing debt levels.
How long does it take to receive the funds?
If you use BankID to sign the contract, funds are often disbursed within 1 to 3 business days, depending on your bank's processing times.
Does a loan application affect my credit score?
Yes, every formal application involves a credit check (UC), which is recorded. Multiple checks in a short period can negatively impact your creditworthiness.
Are there loans available for students or the unemployed?
Most lenders require a steady income from employment or a pension. Students may have access to government-funded loans (CSN), but private lenders usually require a salary.
Last updated: 23. June 2026