Entrepreneur under the age of 18
Are you under 18 and thinking about starting a business? You can start certain types of businesses if you are 16 years old, but there are special rules for young people that you need to follow. To start a limited company, you must be 18 years old. Other types of businesses are possible to start by people who are at least 16 years old.
To prepare for starting a business, you 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 advice and read about the different business forms. When you actually start the company, different rules apply to different types of business.
Sole trader, trading partnership or limited partnership
If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you 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 at least 18 years old to start a limited company or be a board member. You must also have turned 18 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 obtain the forms or use the e-service that applies in your particular municipality. Each municipality has a chief guardian who assesses whether it is suitable for you to start your business. In addition, your parents or guardian must agree.
UF company and summer holiday company
If you are between 16 and 20 years old, you have the opportunity to start a practice company or summer holiday company. This can take place in connection with your school collaborating with Ung Företagsamhet (UF company) or with support from your municipality or an organization that helps 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 explains you what it means, what you need to think about and provides advice. 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 important to understand the rules regarding choosing a business name.The Swedish Companies Registration Office provides information and answers common questions from UF companies.