The customer isn't paying, what do you do?
Due dates, reminders, and late payment interest in practice, step by step, for anyone invoicing Swedish customers.
How do due dates work?
The due date is the date by which payment must reach you. Without a specific agreement, Swedish law (räntelagen) sets a 30-day payment term between businesses, but you can agree on a shorter or longer term as long as both parties agree. The due date should always be clearly stated on the invoice.
Payment reminders, step by step
Once the due date has passed without payment, you send a payment reminder. A reminder fee of 60 SEK may be charged by law, but only if it was agreed in advance, for example in your terms and conditions. If several reminders go unanswered, the usual next step is debt collection.
What is late payment interest?
Late payment interest (dröjsmålsränta) is the interest you're entitled to charge on the unpaid amount after the due date. Without an agreement, the reference rate plus 8 percentage points applies under Swedish law. Interest starts accruing the day after the due date, and should be stated on the reminder alongside the original amount.
What if the customer doesn't pay at all?
If reminders don't work, the usual next step is to hand the case to a debt collection agency, or for larger amounts, apply for a payment order (betalningsföreläggande) through the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden). Always make sure you've sent at least one clear payment reminder before escalating, it significantly strengthens your case.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to send a reminder before charging late payment interest?
No, the right to late payment interest applies from the due date regardless of whether a reminder was sent, but in practice a reminder is often what actually gets the customer to pay.
Can I charge a reminder fee without having agreed to it?
No, a reminder fee requires prior agreement, for example in your payment terms or terms and conditions.
How many reminders should I send before debt collection?
There's no legal limit, but one or two clear reminders with a reasonable gap between them is standard before escalating.
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