Is electronic signature legal in Sweden?
Yes, with some exceptions. Swedish contract law has no general form requirement, so electronic signatures, including BankID-based signing, are valid for most contracts under eIDAS. The main exceptions are the purchase deed for real property, which must still be signed on paper, and wills.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Sweden at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
Lag (2016:561) med kompletterande bestämmelser till EU:s förordning om elektronisk identifiering
- Approach
- Tiered: simple, advanced and qualified
- EU member
- Yes. The eIDAS Regulation applies directly, so a qualified e-signature from any EU country has the effect of a handwritten signature.
Types of electronic signature in Sweden
Simple electronic signature
Any electronic data used to sign, such as a typed name, a click-to-sign box or a drawn signature. Under eIDAS it cannot be refused as evidence just because it is electronic, and it is used for most everyday contracts.
Advanced electronic signature (AES)
Uniquely linked to and able to identify the signer, under the signer's sole control, and linked to the data so later changes are detectable. It carries more evidential weight than a simple signature.
Qualified electronic signature (QES)
An advanced signature made with a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate from a trust service provider on an EU trusted list. It has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature in every EU member state.
What you can sign electronically in Sweden
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts
- Residential and commercial leases
- Consumer contracts
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Purchase deeds for real property (köpehandling) under chapter 4, section 1 of the Land Code, which must be signed by seller and buyer and are in practice signed on paper
- Wills, which must be in writing and signed in the presence of two witnesses under the Inheritance Code
- Gift deeds for real property (gåvobrev), to which the same signing rules as for purchase deeds apply under chapter 4, section 29 of the Land Code
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Swedish law has few written form requirements. Where a statute requires a signed document, it depends on the statute whether an electronic signature is enough; for real property purchases the requirement is still applied as a handwritten signature.
E-signatures in Sweden: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed employment contracts valid in Sweden?
Yes. Swedish employment contracts have no form requirement, so electronic signing is valid.
Can I buy property with an e-signature in Sweden?
Not yet. The purchase deed must be signed by the seller and buyer, and electronic signing is not accepted for it. A 2024 government inquiry (SOU 2024:38) proposed allowing digital property purchases, but the Land Code had not been changed when checked.
Is BankID a legal e-signature in Sweden?
Yes. BankID signing is widely used and is generally treated as an advanced electronic signature. It is not a qualified signature under eIDAS.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Sweden, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Sweden before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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