If you live outside Sweden but need help with a legal matter involving Swedish law, property, or family relations, you can still be fully represented by a Swedish lawyer (advokat) — without ever having to travel to Sweden.
Whether the case involves divorce, inheritance, business disputes, or criminal defence, Swedish advokater routinely represent non-resident clients from all over the world.
Here’s how the process works — step by step.
1. You Do Not Need to Live in Sweden to Hire a Lawyer
Under Swedish law, any person — Swedish or foreign — can appoint an advokat to act on their behalf in Sweden.
There is no residency requirement.
Once you sign a power of attorney (fullmakt), your Swedish lawyer can:
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Communicate with authorities and courts,
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Submit filings and evidence,
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Attend hearings (in person or online), and
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Manage your case from start to finish.
Most formalities, including document signatures, can be handled electronically.
2. Choose a Licensed Advokat, Not Just a “Law Firm”
In Sweden, the title “advokat” is legally protected and reserved for members of the Swedish Bar Association (Advokatsamfundet).
An advokat must:
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Hold a Swedish law degree,
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Have several years of qualified legal experience,
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Pass a professional ethics examination, and
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Follow strict rules on confidentiality and independence.
By contrast, anyone can start a “law firm” in Sweden — but that does not guarantee the same education, professional oversight, or client protection.
If you are a non-resident seeking representation, always look for a registered advokat.
3. How to Find a Swedish Lawyer from Abroad
Foreign nationals can contact Swedish lawyers directly. The most reliable ways are:
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The Swedish Bar Association’s online directory (searchable by language and city),
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Your embassy or consulate, which can provide lists of English-speaking advokater,
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Referral from your local lawyer, or
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Direct email contact with a Swedish law firm.
Most advokater respond promptly to international inquiries and are accustomed to handling cross-border communication.
4. Expect Communication in English
Nearly all younger Swedish advokater speak fluent, professional English, and many have international experience.
If you do not speak Swedish, your entire case — including correspondence, contracts, and hearings — can be conducted in English.
For other languages, certified interpreters are readily available.
You can expect to communicate mainly by:
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Email,
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Video meetings (Zoom, Teams, or similar), and
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Secure document exchange through encrypted portals.
5. Advance Payment (Retainer) for Non-Resident Clients
If you live abroad, your Swedish advokat will normally require an advance payment (retainer) before starting work.
This is standard practice to ensure smooth cooperation and to cover initial costs, since collecting unpaid fees internationally can be complicated.
The retainer is deposited into the lawyer’s client account and later deducted from invoiced work.
Once received, the advokat can immediately begin representing you.
6. Legal Aid and Insurance Coverage
Depending on the nature of your case, you may qualify for:
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Swedish legal aid (rättshjälp) if the case falls under Swedish jurisdiction and your income is below a certain level, or
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Legal expenses insurance (rättsskydd) through your home or travel insurance.
Your advokat can check eligibility and help you apply.
7. Court Representation and Power of Attorney
If your case goes to a Swedish court, you do not necessarily need to appear in person.
Your advokat can represent you fully based on a written power of attorney, signed electronically.
Only in exceptional cases (such as testimony) might the court require your remote or in-person participation.
Swedish courts are highly digitalised and accustomed to non-resident parties in both civil and family cases.
Why Legal Opinion Sweden
At Legal Opinion Sweden, we assist non-resident clients in understanding how Swedish law applies to their situation and in connecting with the right advokat for representation.
Our network covers:
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Family and custody disputes,
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Property and inheritance matters,
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Business and commercial litigation, and
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Public law and appeals.
We ensure clear communication, transparent billing, and reliable Swedish representation — wherever in the world you are located.
In short:
You don’t have to live in Sweden to have your rights protected under Swedish law.
A Swedish advokat can represent you completely — in English, remotely, and with full legal authority.
