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Updated 23. June 2026
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Enkelfinans
Representative example: Calculation example: 12-year annuity loan, amount SEK 400,000, variable interest rate 7.99 per cent, arrangement fee SEK 400, statement fee SEK 20, resulting in an effective interest rate of 8.41 per cent. 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 per cent. Interest rate range: 4.50–22.00 per cent. Updated 15 August 2025.
Saldo Bank Kontokredit
Representative example: If a credit facility of 5,000 SEK is drawn down at a nominal fixed interest rate of 39.5% for 12 months, the total amount to be repaid is 6,672.89 SEK (556.07 SEK per month), corresponding 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, uncommitted annual interest rate of 23 per cent applies. The annual percentage rate (APR) you will pay is 89.29 per cent. The total amount you will pay after 17 months and 17 instalments is 17,000 SEK. 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 per cent. A loan of SEK 200,000 would therefore cost SEK 2,302 per month (144 instalments), i.e. a total of SEK 331,495. 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 per cent, an arrangement fee of 400 SEK and a statement fee of 20 SEK, results in an effective interest rate of 8.41 per cent. 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. The maximum interest rate is 23.00 per cent. 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 monthly administration fee of 49 kronor. This results in an effective interest rate of 26.96 per cent, and the total amount to be repaid is 48,440.33 kronor.
Marginalen Bank
Representative example: For a loan amount of 100,000 SEK with a variable annual interest rate of 7.98 per cent, an 8-year term (repayment period), an arrangement fee of SEK 0 and a statement fee of SEK 10 (when paying by direct debit), the annual percentage rate (APR) is 8.49 per cent. The standard monthly repayment is SEK 1,423 and the total amount payable is SEK 137,250. This example was calculated on 23 March 2023, assumes that the interest rate and fees remain unchanged throughout the entire credit period. Amounts are rounded up to the nearest krona. The interest rate is variable and may range from 5.45% to 19.32%, which means that the annual percentage rate (APR) may range from 5.63% to 22.07%. The annual percentage rate (APR) is calculated in accordance with the Swedish Consumer Agency’s guidelines.
Lånekoll
Representative example: Calculation example: For an annuity loan of 300,000 SEK with an arrangement fee of 0 SEK, a repayment term of 15 years, a variable interest rate of 7.0 per cent, an effective interest rate of 7.23%, this results in (180) monthly payments of SEK 2,696, with a total repayment amount of SEK 485,367.
Finlo.se
Representative example: A 12-year annuity loan of 400,000 SEK, with a variable interest rate of 7.99 per cent, an arrangement fee of 400 SEK and a statement fee of 20 SEK, results in an effective interest rate of 8.41 per cent. 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. The maximum interest rate is 23.00 per cent. 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, SEK 1,803, SEK 1,777, SEK 1,752, SEK 1,726, SEK 1,700, SEK 1,674, SEK 1,649, SEK 1,623, SEK 1,597, 1,572 SEK and 1,546 SEK) plus a 588 SEK arrangement fee, a 2,435 SEK service fee for the instalment plan and 855 SEK in statement fees result in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 SEK. 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 per cent, the effective annual interest rate is 7.60 per cent for an annuity loan of 155,000 SEK with a 10-year repayment term, comprising a total of 120 instalments, an arrangement fee of 0 kr and a statement fee of 0 kr with direct debit. Assuming the interest rate and statement fee remain unchanged, the total amount to be repaid will be 219,693 kr and the monthly cost will be 1,838 kr.
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, SEK 1,803, SEK 1,777, SEK 1,752, SEK 1,726, SEK 1,700, SEK 1,674, SEK 1,649, SEK 1,623, SEK 1,597, 1,572 SEK and 1,546 SEK) plus a 588 SEK arrangement fee, a 2,435 SEK service fee for the instalment plan and 855 SEK in statement fees result in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 SEK. 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 per cent, an arrangement fee of 475 SEK and a monthly administration fee of 25 SEK. 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 per cent. 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 per cent with a repayment period of 84 months, comprising 84 instalments of 1,135 kronor and a set-up fee of 695 kronor (which is added to the loan) and a 19 Swedish kronor administration fee, results in a total effective interest rate of 28.73%. The total amount to be repaid is 96,894 Swedish 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 per cent, 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 per cent. This means a total cost of the loan of 3,568 kr.
Fairlo
Representative example: With a monthly repayment of 2,881 SEK for 12 months, the effective interest rate is 30.6 per cent and the total amount to be repaid is 34,566 SEK.
Daypay
Representative example: Borrow 15,000 SEK for 24 months. Total amount to be repaid: 18,847 SEK, i.e. 785 SEK per month. Fixed annual interest rate: 22 per cent. Annual percentage rate (APR): 28 per cent. Arrangement fee: 350 SEK. Total statement fees: 59 kr.
Thorn
Representative example: A loan of 90,000 kronor at a fixed interest rate of 21.60 per cent 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 per cent. 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, SEK 1,803, SEK 1,777, SEK 1,752, SEK 1,726, SEK 1,700, SEK 1,674, SEK 1,649, SEK 1,623, SEK 1,597, 1,572 SEK and 1,546 SEK) plus a 588 SEK arrangement fee, a 2,435 SEK service fee for the instalment plan and 855 SEK in statement fees result in a total effective interest rate of 66.01%. The total amount to be repaid is 26,939 SEK. 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 per cent, an arrangement fee of 575 SEK and a monthly administration fee of 39 SEK. A sample loan of 20,000 SEK, repaid at 1,964 SEK per month over 12 months, has an annual percentage rate (APR) of 36.4 per cent. This means the total cost of the loan is 3,568 SEK.
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Securing personal loans in Sweden often feels different for expats compared to the process in North America or the UK due to the highly digital nature of the Swedish financial system. The Swedish banking sector relies heavily on your personal identity number (personnummer) and your documented income history tracked by the tax authority, Skatteverket. For a foreign resident, the ability to borrow depends less on a subjective interview and more on the hard data reflected in your credit profile.
Lenders in Sweden typically offer unsecured loans, known as privatlån or blancolån, ranging from 10,000 SEK to 600,000 SEK. Because these are not tied to an asset like a house or a vehicle, the interest rates are determined by your risk profile. It is essential to understand that while the process is fast, the eligibility criteria for non-citizens can be strict, particularly regarding the duration of your residency and the type of work contract you hold.
The Role of UC and Credit Scoring
Most Swedish banks and alternative lenders use Upplysningscentralen (UC) to perform credit checks. Every time you apply for a loan, a “hard” inquiry is recorded on your file. If you apply to multiple banks individually within a short period, your credit score may drop because it signals financial distress to the algorithms. This is why many expats choose to use a broker or a comparison service that performs a single credit check while fetching offers from dozens of lenders.
Your credit score in Sweden is heavily influenced by your previous year’s declared income. If you arrived in Sweden midway through the last tax year, your reported income might look lower than your actual salary, which can lead to lower loan offers or higher interest rates. It is often beneficial to wait until you have a full year of tax history before seeking significant credit. If you are struggling with high-interest debts from multiple sources, you might consider how a loan to combine existing debts could lower your monthly outgoings.
Eligibility Requirements for Expats
To qualify for credit in Sweden, you must meet several baseline criteria. While each lender has its own risk appetite, the following table outlines the standard expectations for a foreign resident applying for a personal loan.
| Requirement | Standard Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 or 20 years old |
| Residency | Registered in Sweden (folkbokförd) for 12+ months |
| Income | Minimum annual salary of 120,000 SEK to 180,000 SEK |
| Employment | Permanent contract (tillsvidareanställning) preferred |
| BankID | Active Mobile BankID for signing and verification |
Lenders also look for a clean payment history. If you have a “betalningsanmärkning” (a record of non-payment from the Enforcement Authority, Kronofogden), obtaining a standard personal loan becomes nearly impossible until the record is cleared, which usually takes three years for individuals.
Interest Rates and Effective APR
In Sweden, you will see two different rates: the nominal interest rate and the effective interest rate (effektiv ränta). The effective rate includes all administrative fees and setup costs, providing a more accurate picture of the total cost. Most personal loans have variable interest rates, meaning the bank can adjust your rate if the Riksbank changes the national repo rate or if their funding costs rise.
Expats should also be aware of the “uppläggningsavgift” (setup fee) and “aviavgift” (monthly administrative fee). These small monthly charges can add up, especially on smaller loan amounts. If you are looking for credit to purchase a vehicle, you might find that financing a vehicle purchase specifically often offers more competitive rates than a general-purpose unsecured loan because the car serves as collateral.
The Importance of BankID
You cannot effectively manage your finances in Sweden without a Mobile BankID. This digital identification tool is used to log into your bank, sign loan agreements, and verify your identity with the tax office. When you apply for a loan, the lender will use BankID to instantly verify your data. This automation allows for rapid decisions, often within minutes of submitting an application.
If you are a new arrival and have not yet secured a BankID or a personnummer, you will likely be declined by automated systems. The Swedish credit market is highly modernized, and manual underwriting is rare for standard personal loans. For those who need smaller amounts of liquidity for very short periods, exploring an instant small credit option might be a temporary solution, though these carry significantly higher interest rates than traditional bank loans.
Repayment and Consumer Rights
Swedish law provides strong protections for borrowers. You always have the right to pay off your personal loan early without any extra penalties or fees. This is a significant advantage if you receive a bonus or sell an asset and want to reduce your debt burden. Most lenders offer flexible repayment terms, typically between 1 and 15 years, though shorter terms result in lower total interest paid.
It is important to remember that this information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Loan approval is never guaranteed, and the final terms depend on your unique financial situation. Before committing, ensure the monthly installments fit comfortably within your budget after accounting for Swedish living costs and taxes. Taking the time to compare different personal loans in Sweden ensures you find a rate that reflects your actual creditworthiness rather than accepting the first offer from your primary bank.
Can I get a loan in Sweden without a permanent residence permit?
Yes, it is possible, but many lenders require you to have been registered in the Swedish population register (folkbokförd) for at least one year. Having a permanent employment contract is often more important than the permit type itself.
How long does it take to receive the funds?
Once the digital contract is signed via BankID, funds are typically disbursed within 1 to 3 business days, depending on the bank's processing times.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow unsecured?
Most Swedish lenders cap unsecured personal loans at 600,000 SEK, though your individual limit will be based on your debt-to-income ratio.
Will my foreign credit history be considered?
Generally, no. Swedish lenders rely almost exclusively on data from Swedish credit bureaus like UC, which only tracks your financial activity within Sweden.
Last updated: 23. June 2026