Self-employed Business loan Sweden

Self-employed business loans in Sweden make it possible to fund your company — even if you’re the only employee. Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, or run an enskild firma, there are loan options available with fast approval, no collateral, and flexible terms.

We show you how to apply, what lenders look for, and which loan types are best suited for solo entrepreneurs.

Can You Get a Business Loan as a Self-Employed Person?

Yes — if you’re self-employed in Sweden, you can apply for a business loan, even if you don’t have employees or a registered company with limited liability. Most lenders accept applications from enskild firma, freelancers, sole traders, and consultants, as long as you can show stable income and the ability to repay.

Being self-employed means you’re legally and financially tied to your business, so lenders often assess your personal credit score and private income alongside any business documentation. You don’t need to run a large operation — as long as you’ve been active for a few months and generate regular revenue, you can be eligible.

Self-employed loans are commonly used for equipment purchases, working capital, marketing expenses, or to cover irregular cash flow between projects. Some lenders even offer unsecured loans, meaning no collateral is needed — but expect stricter credit checks or a personal guarantee.

Best Loan Options for the Self-Employed

Self-employed individuals in Sweden have several business loan options, even without a company structure or physical assets. Whether you need fast capital, flexible financing, or public support, there’s likely a loan type that fits your needs.

Loan Comparison Table

Loan Type	Secured?	Typical Amount	Approval Time	Best For
Unsecured business loan	No	SEK 50,000 – 500,000	1–5 business days	Fast capital for self-employed
Personal business loan	No	SEK 20,000 – 200,000	1–3 business days	Based on personal income and credit
Line of credit	Sometimes	SEK 50,000 – 300,000	2–5 business days	Flexible use for fluctuating income
ALMI loan (enskild firma)	Sometimes	SEK 50,000 – 300,000	5–10 business days	Public support for early-stage operators

Unsecured Business Loan

These are among the most popular options for self-employed people with regular income but no assets to pledge. Approval is based on your monthly turnover and personal credit, not company size. The application is usually online, with funding available in a few days. However, rates are higher than with secured loans.

Personal Business Loan

If you run an enskild firma, your personal and business finances are legally connected. That means you can apply for a personal loan for business use, based entirely on your income and credit score. These loans are smaller but easier to access — especially if your business is new or unregistered.

Line of Credit

For freelancers or consultants with irregular income, a revolving credit line provides flexibility. You can draw funds when needed and only pay interest on what you use. Some lenders require a business account with consistent income; others approve based on your overall financial activity.

ALMI Loan (Enskild Firma)

ALMI offers tailored loans for self-employed individuals and smaller businesses that don’t qualify for bank financing. Their loans are based on your business plan, income stability, and growth potential. Personal guarantees are often required, but interest rates are moderate, and support is available throughout the process.

Requirements for Self-Employed Business Loans

To get approved for a self-employed business loan in Sweden, you need to meet a few basic criteria — even if you don’t run a registered company. Lenders focus on income stability, personal credit, and documentation, as your finances are legally tied to your business.

Most lenders require that you’ve been actively self-employed for at least 6 months, with monthly income of SEK 30,000–50,000 or more. The higher and more stable your revenue, the better your chances — especially if applying for an unsecured loan.

Since enskild firma doesn’t have its own credit profile, your personal credit score will be a key factor. Lenders look for a clean payment history, no recent defaults, and manageable personal debt levels. If you’ve missed payments or have active collections, your options will be limited to higher-interest loans — if any.

In terms of documentation, expect to provide:

• Recent tax declarations (inkomstdeklaration)
• Bank statements from the last 3–6 months
• Proof of self-employment (e.g. F-skatt certificate)
• Personal ID and possibly credit reports

Collateral is rarely required, but many lenders ask for a personal guarantee, meaning you’re legally responsible if the loan isn’t repaid. This is standard for sole traders and freelancers — even if the loan is marketed as “business financing.”

How to Apply for a Loan as a Self-Employed Person

Applying for a loan as a self-employed person in Sweden is different from applying as a limited company. You carry the financial risk personally, and lenders focus more on your income, creditworthiness, and documentation. Here’s how to approach the process step-by-step — and how to improve your chances of approval.

Step-by-step overview

1. Define the purpose and amount
2. Choose the right loan type
3. Prepare your documentation
4. Select a lender (bank, online, or ALMI)
5. Submit your application
6. Review and accept the offer

1. Define the purpose and amount

Start by clarifying how much you need and what the funds will be used for — tools, marketing, bridging income gaps, or expansion. This helps the lender evaluate risk and ensures the loan type matches your business needs.

2. Choose the right loan type

Select the loan type based on your situation. Unsecured loans are fast but more expensive. Personal loans are useful if you’re new or lack consistent business income. ALMI is best if you want public backing and can provide a business plan.

3. Prepare your documentation

Self-employed borrowers must provide:

• Personal ID
• Recent tax declarations (Inkomstdeklaration 1)
• Bank statements (3–6 months)
• Proof of F-skatt (self-employment status)

Optional extras like budgets or client contracts can strengthen your application.

4. Select a lender

You can apply via a bank, an online platform, or ALMI. The right choice depends on how fast you need the money, your credit status, and whether you prefer public or private financing. (See comparison below.)

5. Submit your application

Applications are usually completed online. You’ll fill in business and personal information, upload documents, and wait for review. Some lenders perform a soft credit check before sending a final offer.

6. Review and accept the offer

If approved, you’ll receive an offer outlining the amount, rate, fees, and repayment term. Read carefully — especially if the loan includes a personal guarantee or early repayment conditions. Once signed, funds are typically paid out within days.

Online Lenders vs Banks vs ALMI

Lender Type	Approval Speed	Loan Amount	Requirements	Best For
Online lenders	1–3 business days	SEK 50,000 – 500,000	Light documentation, strong credit	Fast access, freelancers with income
Banks	5–15 business days	SEK 100,000 – 1M+	High documentation, strong credit	Established self-employed w. history
ALMI	5–10 business days	SEK 50,000 – 300,000	Business plan, forecast, personal ID	Early-stage or riskier self-employed

How to Increase Your Chance of Approval

• Keep your personal credit clean — no missed payments, low credit utilisation
• Maintain consistent monthly income — avoid large gaps
• Prepare a simple budget or cash flow plan
• Show proof of ongoing contracts or repeat clients
• Borrow only what you can realistically repay — lenders favour conservative requests
• Avoid applying to multiple lenders at once — this can trigger hard credit checks and reduce trust

Typical Approval Time and Payout

For online lenders, decisions often arrive within 24–72 hours, and funds can hit your account the same week. Traditional banks usually take longer — up to 10–15 business days due to stricter checks. ALMI requires more documentation and often schedules an advisor meeting, so total processing time is typically 5–10 business days from application to payout.

Interest Rates for Self-Employed Loans in Sweden

Interest rates for self-employed business loans in Sweden vary based on your credit profile, income stability, and the type of lender. Since enskild firma and freelancers don’t have limited liability, lenders typically assess more risk — which means higher interest compared to traditional business loans.

Most unsecured loans for self-employed fall within an interest rate range of 6% to 15% annually. If your income is stable and your credit score is clean, you’ll likely land in the lower part of that range. If your income fluctuates or you have past payment issues, expect a higher rate — or stricter terms.

ALMI offers slightly lower rates, typically between 5% and 9%, depending on the loan type, loan amount, and your overall risk profile. ALMI loans also tend to include additional support, such as financial advice or mentoring.

Here’s how common loan types compare:

Loan Type	Interest Rate (Annual)	Secured?	Typical for
Unsecured online loan	8% – 15%	No	Freelancers with consistent income
Personal business loan	6% – 12%	No	Enskild firma with strong credit
Line of credit	7% – 13%	Sometimes	Self-employed with fluctuating needs
ALMI loan (enskild firma)	5% – 9%	Sometimes	New or growing self-employed businesses

To secure the best rate, always compare offers from multiple lenders and check the APR, not just the base rate. Some lenders add setup fees, monthly service charges, or early repayment costs — all of which affect the total cost of borrowing.