Entrepreneur under the age of 18
Are you under 18 and thinking about starting a business? You can start some types of business if you are 16 years old, but there are special rules for young people that you need to comply with. To start a limited company, you must be 18 years old. Other forms of business are possible to start for people who are at least 16 years old.
To prepare for starting a business, you who are under 18, just like everyone who is interested in starting a business, can take advantage of the information available here at verksamt.se. You can get good general tips and read about the different business forms. When you then start the company, different rules apply to different types of business.
Sole trader, trading partnership or limited partnership
You who are between 16 and 18 years old need permission from your parents (or guardian) and the chief guardian in your municipality. This applies both to sole proprietorship and as a partner in a trading partnership or limited partnership.
Limited company or branch
You must be 18 years of age to start a limited company or be a board member. You must also be 18 years old to start a branch or be a CEO.
How to apply for permission from the chief guardian
You need to contact the municipality you live in to get hold of the forms or use the e-service that applies in your particular municipality. In each municipality there is a chief guardian who assesses whether it is suitable for you to start your business. In addition, your parents or guardian must have the same opinion.
UF company and summer holiday company
You who are between 16 and 20 years old have the opportunity to start a practice company or summer holiday company. This can happen in connection with your school collaborating with Ung Företagsamhet (UF company) or your municipality or an organization helping you get started.
A practice company or summer holiday company is not a regular company in the legal sense, but the purpose is for you to learn how to start, run and close a company. The Swedish Tax Agency tells you what it means, what you need to think about and gives tips. They also have several videos that explain.
Ung Företagsamhet and summer holiday company at skatteverket.se (in Swedish)
If you are starting a company, it is good to have an eye on what applies when choosing a name for the company. The Swedish Companies Registration Office informs about it and answers common questions from UF companies.