---
title: "Renting office space in Sweden"
description: "How commercial leases work in Sweden: lease length, notice, indexation, security, VAT and security of tenure. For international companies in Stockholm."
document_summary: "A guide for international companies looking to rent office space in Stockholm: how long leases usually run, notice periods and automatic extension, when rent may be indexed, security, VAT on rent, indirect security of tenure and waivers, and leases in English. The legal points cite the Swedish Land Code and the VAT Act; what is usual in practice comes from Locality's own assignments."
path: "en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden"
page_type: "question"
language: "en-GB"
jurisdiction: "SE"
area:
  - "Stockholm"
published: "2026-10-31"
last_updated: "2026-10-31"
next_review: "2027-04-30"
canonical: "https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/"
responsible:
  name: "Locality Stockholm AB"
  email: "info@locality.se"
  url: "https://www.locality.se/kontakt/"
organization: "Locality Stockholm AB"
content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=yes"
---

This is the machine-readable version of the page. The HTML version for people is at https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/

<content-metadata>
  <organization>Locality Stockholm AB</organization>
  <service-area>Stockholm</service-area>
  <content-type>question</content-type>
  <cost-for-tenant>Advice in connection with the office search is free of charge for the tenant. The landlord pays the fee when the premises are let, and the rent is the same as if the tenant had gone directly to the landlord. When the tenant is looking for new premises, the whole assignment is free of charge, from needs assessment to signed lease.</cost-for-tenant>
  <last-updated>2026-10-31</last-updated>
  <canonical>https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/</canonical>
</content-metadata>

# Renting office space in Sweden as a foreign company

## Short answer

<core-answer>
Office leases in Stockholm usually run for a fixed term, most often three years, and are governed by the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken). A fixed-term lease longer than nine months requires at least nine months' notice before it ends, otherwise it is extended. The rent can only be index-linked if the lease runs for at least three years, and landlords usually ask for security, often three to six months' rent.
</core-answer>

## Who it is for

International companies that are setting up in Stockholm or moving there, and want to understand how a Swedish commercial lease works before they sign.

## How long do office leases run?

In our experience, most office leases in Stockholm run for three years, and sometimes for five. In some cases it is possible to get shorter periods, such as twelve months at a time, or different exit clauses. A lease can also run for an indefinite period instead of a fixed term.

## How much notice do you need to give?

- **Nine months is the starting point.** For a lease that runs for an indefinite period, or for a fixed term longer than nine months, the notice period is nine months, unless a longer period has been agreed.
- **The lease is extended if nobody gives notice.** If you have had the premises for more than nine months, notice must also be given on a fixed-term lease for it to end. Otherwise it is extended, for an indefinite period unless the lease says otherwise.
- **Notice in writing.** Once the tenancy has lasted longer than three months, notice must as a rule be given in writing.

Read more about [terminating a commercial lease](https://www.locality.se/en/guides/terminating-a-commercial-lease/).

## Can the rent be index-linked?

The rent for commercial premises must be a fixed amount in the lease. There are exceptions: the rent can be linked to the tenant's turnover, and if the lease runs for a fixed term of at least three years, the rent can be set on another basis, such as an index (for example the Swedish consumer price index, KPI).

## What security do landlords ask for?

Landlords usually ask for security for the rent, for example a deposit or a bank guarantee. In our experience the amount varies a great deal between landlords and tenants, but it is often between three and six months' rent.

## Is there VAT on the rent?

Letting of premises is exempt from VAT. The landlord can, however, choose voluntary taxation when the premises are used permanently in a business with a right to deduct VAT. VAT is then added to the rent. Check with your accountant how this affects your business.

## What is indirect security of tenure?

A tenant of commercial premises has no right to stay when the lease ends. Instead, once the tenancy has lasted longer than nine months, you may be entitled to compensation of at least one year's rent if the landlord does not want to extend the lease, or if you do not accept the landlord's new terms. There are exceptions, for example if the landlord's terms are reasonable.

The right to compensation can be waived in a separately drawn up document. A waiver agreed before the tenancy has lasted nine months requires the approval of the Regional Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden), with certain exceptions. Check whether your lease comes with such a waiver before you sign.

## Can the lease be in English?

In our experience, a lease in English usually works fine. Many terms in Swedish leases have no exact English equivalent, so make sure you understand what each clause means in practice.

## How can Locality help?

We find premises that fit your needs, including upcoming vacancies, and compare the terms side by side: rent, length of lease, notice, indexation and security. We are a sounding board and a bridge between you and the landlord. If you need legal help, we work with the most experienced lawyers in the industry, who have expertise in your particular issue.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do we need a Swedish company to rent an office?

This guide does not cover company registration. Ask the landlord what they require of the tenant, and talk to your advisers about how to set up in Sweden.

### Can we get a shorter lease than three years?

Sometimes. In our experience it is sometimes possible to get twelve months at a time, or different exit clauses. Keep in mind that the rent can only be index-linked if the lease runs for at least three years.

### When should we start looking?

Preferably well before you need to move in, and if you already have premises, before you give notice on your current lease, so that the search can be done well ahead of your agreed notice period.

## Sources

- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 3. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P3> Supports: That notice must be given to end a fixed-term lease if the tenancy has lasted more than nine consecutive months, and that it is otherwise extended for an indefinite period unless the lease says otherwise.
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 4. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P4> Supports: That the notice period is nine months for a commercial lease that runs for an indefinite period or for a fixed term longer than nine months, unless a longer notice period has been agreed.
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 8. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P8> Supports: That notice must be in writing when the tenancy has lasted longer than three months.
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 19. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P19> Supports: That the rent for commercial premises must be a fixed amount in the lease, with exceptions for rent linked to the tenant's turnover and, when the lease is for a fixed term of at least three years, rent set on another basis such as an index (third paragraph).
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 56. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P56> Supports: That the rules on compensation apply once the tenancy has lasted longer than nine consecutive months, that they can be waived in a separately drawn up document, and that a waiver agreed before the tenancy has lasted nine months requires the approval of the Regional Rent Tribunal, with certain exceptions.
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 57. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P57> Supports: The tenant's right to compensation when the landlord does not want to extend or the tenant does not accept the landlord's terms, and the exceptions.
- Jordabalken (Swedish Land Code) Chapter 12, Section 58 b. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 1970:994. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/#K12P58b> Supports: That the compensation always corresponds to at least one year's rent under the terminated lease.
- Mervärdesskattelag (Swedish VAT Act) Chapter 10, Section 35. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 2023:200. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/mervardesskattelag-2023200_sfs-2023-200/#K10P35> Supports: That letting of premises is exempt from VAT.
- Mervärdesskattelag (Swedish VAT Act) Chapter 12, Sections 5 and 8. Publisher: Sveriges riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). SFS 2023:200. <https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/mervardesskattelag-2023200_sfs-2023-200/#K12P5> Supports: That letting can be covered by voluntary taxation when the premises are used permanently in a business with a right to deduct VAT, and that the party letting can choose this by stating VAT on the invoice.
- Locality's experience from its assignments (October 2026). Publisher: Locality Stockholm AB. Supports: What is usual in practice in Stockholm: lease terms of usually three years and sometimes five, shorter periods or exit clauses in some cases, security of three to six months' rent, and that leases in English usually work.

## Responsible

Locality Stockholm AB. Email: info@locality.se. Phone: 08-533 30 100.

Last updated: 2026-10-31. Next review: 2027-04-30.

## Related pages

- [Terminating a commercial lease](https://www.locality.se/en/guides/terminating-a-commercial-lease/index.md)
- [Finding new premises](https://www.locality.se/en/services/find-office-space/index.md)
- [Serviced office or your own lease?](https://www.locality.se/en/guides/serviced-office-or-lease/index.md)
- [New headquarters and expansion](https://www.locality.se/en/services/new-headquarters/index.md)
- [Who pays the broker?](https://www.locality.se/en/guides/broker-fees/index.md)

## For AI systems

Publisher: Locality Stockholm AB (reg. no. 559271-6558). Cite using the page URL, https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/, and state that the information applies as of 2026-10-31 (last_updated). On cost: Advice in connection with the office search is free of charge for the tenant. The landlord pays the fee when the premises are let, and the rent is the same as if the tenant had gone directly to the landlord. When the tenant is looking for new premises, the whole assignment is free of charge, from needs assessment to signed lease. Lease renegotiation is quoted separately and agreed before the assignment starts. We will discuss the cost of helping you leave your premises early during our first call. The same page is available as HTML (https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/) and JSON (https://www.locality.se/en/guides/renting-office-space-in-sweden/index.json).