Debts and statute of limitations
Skulder och preskription - Engelska
If you have bought a good or service from a company, the company has the right to demand payment for up to three years. After three years, the company can no longer seek legal information of their claim for money from you – the debt is statute-barred. But sometimes the statute of limitations or limitation period is extended and the party seeking payment has more time to enforce the debt. So don’t count on your debt being statute-barred.
Translated page: This text has been translated from Swedish. The text and appearance of the page may look different from the original page.
Statute of limitations on debts – Important to know
The limitation period can be extended. So don’t count on your debt being statute-barred.
Protest to the company if you disagree with the debt.
Can a limitation period be extended?
If you, as an individual, have purchased a good or service from a company, the company has the right to demand payment for up to three years.
After three years, the debt is statute-barred and the company can no longer claim payment from you. But this does not always apply if, for example,
the company has sent you new demands for payment
you have asked for an instalment plan
you paid part of the debt.
In such a situation, there is a suspension of the statute of limitations and the limitation of action period is extended. This means that the company that wants to be paid has more time and you still owe the company money.
If you dispute owing the debt
If you have received a demand for payment for a debt that you think is already statute-barred, you must write to the company that sent you the demand and explain why.
If the company can prove that they sent out dunning letters for the debt during the limitation period, the limitation period on the debt will be extended. You will still be obligated to pay.
You can always contest a demand for payment that you think is wrong.
Further information about contesting
Different types of debts have different limitation periods in the law
The limitation period differs for different types of debt. Examples of common debts and statute of limitations periods:
Goods and services you purchase from companies.
Bank loans: limitation period of 10 years. Can be extended.
Fines: limitation period of 5 years. Not extendable.
Income taxes: limitation period of 5 years. May be extended in certain cases.
Bills and credit card debts: limitation period of 3 years. Can be extended.
Debts to municipal services: limitation period of 3 or 10 years. Can be extended.
Advice on your personal finances
Contact the municipal budget and debt counselling in your municipality if you need advice on your finance. This service is provided free of charge. A household finances and debt counsellor can help you overview your finances and provide practical advice if you are in debt. You can also receive assistance in applying for debt restructuring.
Source: Konsumentverket
Proofread: 19 February 2023