When entering into business relationships in Sweden, due diligence is essential. One of the most reliable tools for assessing financial stability and reducing risk is a kreditupplysning—a Swedish credit report. Whether you are planning a partnership, extending credit terms, or negotiating a major contract, obtaining and correctly interpreting this report can safeguard your business from unnecessary exposure.
This guide explains how to request a credit report on a Swedish company and what to look for when evaluating its contents.
1. What a Kreditupplysning Is and Why It Matters
A kreditupplysning is an official credit report provided by authorized credit reporting agencies in Sweden. It contains detailed information about a company’s financial health, payment history, and legal standing. For foreign businesses, it serves as a reliable tool for assessing potential partners before entering into financial agreements.
- Provides transparency into a company’s ability to meet financial obligations.
- Reduces the risk of unpaid invoices or contractual disputes.
- Helps determine whether to offer credit terms or require prepayment.
2. Where to Request a Credit Report
In Sweden, only licensed credit agencies are permitted to provide official reports. The most commonly used providers include Upplysningscentralen (UC), Creditsafe, Bisnode (a Dun & Bradstreet company), and other registered bureaus.
- UC (Upplysningscentralen): The most established provider, widely trusted by Swedish banks and corporations.
- Creditsafe: Offers accessible online reports with international reach.
- Bisnode: Specializes in detailed business data and EU-wide insights.
To access a report, you typically need an account with the provider and pay a fee per report or subscribe to a monthly service.
3. Key Information Contained in a Kreditupplysning
A Swedish credit report usually includes the following sections:
- Company identification: Official name, registration number, and address.
- Ownership and management: Names of board members and shareholders.
- Financial data: Turnover, profit/loss, equity, liquidity ratios, and recent annual reports.
- Credit rating: A score or class indicating risk level.
- Payment history: Records of unpaid debts, late payments, or collection notes.
- Legal issues: Bankruptcies, restructuring, or pending court cases.
4. How to Interpret the Report
Understanding the data requires more than reading numbers—it means analyzing the bigger picture. A healthy business is not only profitable but also pays on time and maintains reasonable liquidity.
- Credit rating: Agencies typically use a scale from “low risk” to “high risk.” Always check how each provider defines its categories.
- Liquidity and equity: High liquidity indicates the ability to cover short-term debts, while strong equity reduces long-term risk.
- Payment remarks: Even a single unpaid invoice can signal cash flow problems. Multiple remarks are a red flag.
- Trends over time: Compare financial results from recent years rather than focusing only on one year.
5. Practical Use Cases
Credit reports are commonly used in Sweden before granting trade credit, forming partnerships, or entering into supply contracts. For international companies, they also provide a level of local insight that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.
- Evaluating whether to accept delayed payment terms.
- Checking the background of a potential distributor or reseller.
- Monitoring long-term partners to detect early signs of financial stress.
6. Limitations and Ethical Considerations
While a kreditupplysning is valuable, it is not a guarantee of future behavior. External events, market changes, or management shifts can still impact stability. In addition, access to credit information is regulated by Swedish law to protect privacy and prevent misuse.
- Only request credit reports when there is a legitimate business need.
- Be aware that the company will be notified when a credit report has been requested about them.
- Combine financial data with personal meetings and references for a complete evaluation.
Turning Credit Insights into Smarter Business Decisions
A kreditupplysning offers a detailed snapshot of a Swedish company’s financial health, helping you minimize risk and build trust in business relationships. By knowing where to request the report, what information it contains, and how to interpret it, you equip your business with the tools needed to make informed and confident decisions.
Looking for professional guidance in evaluating Swedish partners? CE Sweden can assist you in interpreting reports and integrating them into your market entry strategy.
