Sweden: lending & credit regulation

Regulated

Consumer credit and mortgage lending regulated by Finansinspektionen under the Consumer Credit Act and Mortgage Business Act

Lead regulator:: Finansinspektionen
Key law:: Consumer Credit Act (Konsumentkreditlagen)
Last updated:: 2026-07-12

Consumer credit activities in Sweden are strictly regulated, requiring authorization from Finansinspektionen under the Consumer Credit Act. The regulator enforces rigorous credit assessment standards and ongoing supervision to ensure consumer protection and financial stability.

Mortgage lending is governed by the Mortgage Business Act, which mandates authorization for non-credit institutions issuing or brokering consumer mortgages. Finansinspektionen implements specific rules on amortization, loan-to-value ratios, and risk management for these activities.

Recent regulatory updates include amendments to regulations on non-performing credit agreements, amortization requirements, and ownership assessments. The supervisory authority continues to align Swedish rules with EU directives and enhance transparency in lending practices.

Who regulates

Finansinspektionen
Primary supervisor for consumer credit, mortgage lending, and financial undertakings
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Core laws & rules

Consumer Credit Act (N/A)
The core legislation governing consumer credit activities, requiring authorization and adherence to strict credit assessment standards.
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Mortgage Business Act (N/A)
Regulates mortgage lending, requiring authorization for non-credit institutions and implementing EU Directive 2014/17/EU.
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Purchase and Servicing of Non-Performing Credit Agreements Act (N/A)
Establishes requirements for the purchase and servicing of non-performing credit agreements, including information submission and credit servicer authorization.
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Licensing & registration

Consumer Credit Authorization
Authorization is required for undertakings engaging in certain activities involving consumer credit, with rigorous credit assessment standards mandated.
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Mortgage Lending Authorization
Non-credit institutions issuing or brokering consumer mortgages must obtain authorization under the Mortgage Business Act.
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Credit Servicer Authorization
Undertakings applying for credit servicer authorization must use specific assessment forms and comply with regulations on non-performing credit agreements.
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Restrictions & warnings

Lenders must verify consumer data and assess payment capacity, with specific requirements for information on interest rates and amortization.
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Mortgage lending is subject to amortization requirements and loan-to-value ratio limits, with specific exemptions for certain consumer credit activities.
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Financial undertakings must submit specific documentation regarding owner and senior management assessments and comply with anti-money laundering rules.
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Direction of travel

Regulatory focus remains on standardizing administrative procedures, enhancing transparency, and aligning with EU directives, with recent updates to regulations on non-performing credit agreements and amortization.
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Sources

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This guide is compiled automatically from 20 primary-source documents published by Sweden's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.