Skuldsanering in Sweden: How It Works and What May Change
Skuldsanering in Sweden is a formal process for people whose debts are so large that they cannot realistically repay them within many years. Applications remain at a historically high level, while a government-commissioned inquiry has proposed changes that could make debt relief available to more long-term over-indebted people.
For anyone struggling with debt, the distinction between the rules that apply today and the proposed reforms is crucial. The current skuldsanering system remains in force; the changes discussed below are proposals and have not yet become law.
What is skuldsanering?
Skuldsanering is Sweden’s statutory debt-relief procedure. It is administered by Kronofogden, the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
The system is intended for people who are so heavily indebted that they cannot become debt-free within a foreseeable period. It is not designed for temporary financial difficulties.
When skuldsanering is granted, the debtor normally follows a payment plan for five years and pays what they can afford under the applicable rules. When the process is completed, debts covered by the decision are no longer payable. In some cases, a person can receive a decision without a payment plan if they have no ability to make payments.
Kronofogden assesses more than simply the size of someone’s debts. The authority also considers the person’s financial and personal circumstances, including how the debts arose and what the person has done to improve their financial situation.
Who can apply?
A person generally needs to demonstrate that:
- their debts cannot realistically be repaid within many years;
- skuldsanering is reasonable given their personal and financial circumstances; and
- they have taken steps to deal with their financial situation.
Kronofogden currently describes the repayment horizon relevant to the assessment as normally around seven to 15 years, although the assessment is individual.
Skuldsanering should therefore not be confused with an ordinary repayment arrangement or a way of temporarily postponing bills.
How many people are seeking skuldsanering?
The latest figures show that demand remains substantial.
During the first half of 2026, 17,475 people applied for skuldsanering, according to Kronofogden. That was 773 fewer applications than during the same period a year earlier, a decline of about 4%. Nevertheless, the authority described the level as historically high. Forty-five percent of applications were granted.
The longer-term picture also helps explain why the issue has attracted attention. Kronofogden reports that 449,703 people had debts registered with the authority, while 98,719 had been in its registers for at least 20 years. The total amount of debt registered with Kronofogden rose from SEK 83 billion to SEK 154 billion between 2019 and 2025.
These figures cover people with debts at Kronofogden and should not be interpreted as a measure of all household debt in Sweden.
Applications are changing by age
The pattern among applicants has also shifted.
Compared with the first half of 2025, applications from people aged 18–30 fell by 13% in the first half of 2026. Applications from people aged 65 and over increased slightly, by 2%. Compared with the first half of 2021, applications from people aged 65 and over were up 21%.
Kronofogden has previously highlighted older people as a group in which some individuals with serious debt problems may not have applied for skuldsanering even when they could potentially qualify.
How does skuldsanering work?
The process starts with an application to Kronofogden. Applicants must provide information about their debts, income and expenses.
It is important to list all known debts. Kronofogden specifically says applicants should include, among other things, foreign debts, debts to relatives or friends, tax debts and student debts.
The process can broadly be understood in these stages:
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Application | The debtor applies to Kronofogden using its e-service or a form. |
| Initial assessment | Kronofogden assesses whether the requirements for starting a skuldsanering process appear to be met. |
| Investigation | The authority examines the person’s financial and personal circumstances and the debts involved. |
| Proposal | If the requirements are met, Kronofogden prepares a proposal covering the debts, payment amount and payment period. |
| Creditors’ comments | Creditors have an opportunity to respond to the proposal. |
| Final decision | Kronofogden makes the final decision. |
| Payment period | The debtor follows the payment plan, normally for five years. |
| Completion | Debts covered by the skuldsanering are no longer payable after completion. |
Kronofogden states that a person normally receives a proposal after an investigation if the requirements are met. Creditors can comment, but a creditor’s disagreement does not automatically prevent skuldsanering from being granted.
Which debts are included?
As a general rule, debts that arose before the decision to initiate skuldsanering are included.
There are exceptions. For example, some debts secured against property, disputed claims, certain student debts that have not fallen due and certain maintenance obligations can be treated differently.
Applicants should also be careful about debts they do not recognize. Kronofogden says a person should not approve an unfamiliar or disputed debt simply because it appears in the skuldsanering process.
What should you do before applying?
Skuldsanering is a serious legal and financial process, so preparation matters.
Kronofogden recommends avoiding new debts, reviewing expenses, preparing a budget and continuing to pay debts as well as possible while the application is being processed. It also recommends contacting the municipal budget and debt adviser.
If you cannot pay all your bills, consumer authorities advise prioritising essential expenses such as rent, electricity and food.
Free municipal debt advice
Every municipality in Sweden is required to provide budget and debt counselling to residents who need help with financial difficulties. The service is free, and advisers can help with budgeting, prioritising debts and preparing a skuldsanering application.
This can be useful before making an application because the adviser can help establish the full debt picture and assess practical options.
What is changing?
The Swedish government appointed an inquiry in April 2025 to examine measures against long-term over-indebtedness, with particular attention to people who have remained indebted for very long periods.
The inquiry delivered SOU 2026:43, Åtgärder mot överskuldsättning, in July 2026. It contains proposals concerning skuldsanering as well as other parts of the debt-collection system.
The proposed changes to skuldsanering
The inquiry proposes changes intended to make it easier for people who have been heavily indebted for a long time to qualify for skuldsanering.
Among the proposals are:
- clearer and lower requirements for skuldsanering;
- a more proactive role for Kronofogden in helping heavily indebted people with applications;
- changes intended to encourage more long-term debtors to apply; and
- changes to the order in which certain consumer debts are paid down.
The government says the inquiry estimates that the proposed changes to the skuldsanering rules could result in several thousand additional approved cases each year. That is an estimate contained in the inquiry, not an established outcome.
Another proposal concerns how payments are allocated between default interest and principal on certain overdue consumer debts. Under the proposed system, default interest would have a lower priority than principal, which the inquiry says could make it easier for debtors to reduce the underlying debt over time.
The reform is not yet law
This distinction is especially important for anyone searching for information about “new skuldsanering rules”.
Current status: Proposal / inquiry — not in force.
The government published the inquiry in July and sent it out for consultation. The consultation deadline is 23 November 2026. The government has not yet published a legislative proposal implementing the suggested skuldsanering changes.
The government’s press release says that most of the proposed legislative changes would, if ultimately adopted, enter into force on 1 July 2028. Separate proposed rules concerning the allocation of payments to overdue consumer claims and amendments to the Enforcement Code would have a proposed start date of 1 January 2031. These are proposed dates, not current law.
Reform timeline
| Date | Status |
|---|---|
| 10 April 2025 | Government inquiry commissioned |
| 9 July 2026 | SOU 2026:43 published |
| 23 July 2026 | Inquiry sent out for consultation |
| 23 November 2026 | Consultation deadline |
| Proposed 1 July 2028 | Planned entry into force for most proposed changes, if adopted |
| Proposed 1 January 2031 | Planned entry into force for certain proposed payment-allocation rules, if adopted |
The next steps therefore depend on the consultation process and subsequent government and parliamentary decisions. The existence of the inquiry does not itself change the eligibility rules currently applied by Kronofogden.
What does this mean for people with serious debt?
For people who already meet today’s requirements, the proposed reforms do not mean they should simply wait for possible future legislation.
The rules currently in force continue to apply, and applications can still be submitted to Kronofogden. At the same time, anyone considering an application should avoid assuming that the proposed changes will automatically make them eligible in the future.
The practical steps remain straightforward:
- List all your debts.
- Make a realistic household budget.
- Avoid taking on new debt.
- Continue dealing with essential bills.
- Contact your municipality’s budget and debt counselling service.
- Use Kronofogden’s information and application service if skuldsanering appears appropriate.
The municipal counselling service is free, so professional assistance does not necessarily require hiring a private debt-relief company.
Frequently asked questions
Is skuldsanering available in Sweden now?
Yes. Skuldsanering is an existing Swedish debt-relief procedure administered by Kronofogden. The proposed 2026 reforms have not replaced the current system.
How long does skuldsanering normally last?
The skuldsanering itself normally lasts five years. During that period, the debtor generally follows a payment plan based on their ability to pay.
Do I have to pay all my debts during skuldsanering?
Not necessarily. The amount paid depends on the individual’s financial circumstances and the decision. When the skuldsanering is completed, debts covered by the decision are no longer payable.
Can I apply if some of my debts are outside Sweden?
Yes. Kronofogden states that foreign debts should be included in the application.
Will the proposed 2026 reforms make skuldsanering easier immediately?
No. The reforms are currently proposals following a government inquiry and consultation process. They are not in force. Any future changes require further steps in the legislative process.
Official Sources
- Kronofogden — Ansöka om skuldsanering — Kronofogden: Apply for debt restructuring
- Kronofogden — Färre unga och fler äldre ansöker om skuldsanering — Kronofogden: Latest skuldsanering application statistics
- Kronofogden — Statistik om skuldsanering — Kronofogden: Debt restructuring statistics
- Kronofogden — Kronofogden i siffror — Kronofogden: Key debt statistics
- Regeringen — Åtgärder mot överskuldsättning, SOU 2026:43 — Government inquiry SOU 2026:43
- Regeringen — Remiss av SOU 2026:43 Åtgärder mot överskuldsättning — Government consultation on SOU 2026:43
- Konsumentverket — Skulder och skuldsanering – när du inte kan betala — Konsumentverket: Debts and debt restructuring
- Konsumentverket — Hjälp med ekonomin hos kommunens budget- och skuldrådgivning — Konsumentverket: Municipal budget and debt counselling
