In Sweden, it’s remarkably efficient to pay invoices, if businesses know how to navigate the system. Private Swedish customers (including businesses) paid approximately 160.1 million e-invoices through their banking platforms in 2022. Whether it’s using the established Bankgirot and PlusGirot systems, mobile payments via Swish, or platforms such as Stripe, Swedish businesses have access to tools that make settling bills quick and easy.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to pay invoices in Sweden, from reading a typical invoice to choosing the right tools for the job. Here’s what businesses need to know.

What’s in this article?

• What are the common methods of paying invoices in Sweden?
  
• What information do businesses need to pay an invoice in Sweden?
  
• How to pay with Stripe Invoicing in Sweden
  
• How to pay an invoice through a bank transfer in Sweden
  
• How can Stripe simplify recurring invoice payments for businesses in Sweden?
  

Which methods are available to pay invoices in Sweden?

Swedish businesses have several payment methods available for paying invoices. Here’s an overview:

Stripe Invoicing

Stripe allows users to pay invoices online with a range of payment methods. These include credit and debit cards; digital wallets such as Apple Pay; and buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions such as Klarna.

Bank transfers (Bankgirot and PlusGirot)

Bankgirot and PlusGirot are standard systems for invoice payments in Sweden. The invoice includes the payee’s Bankgiro or PlusGiro number that payers enter to pay with an online or mobile banking app.

Swish

This is a popular mobile payment service that facilitates instant transfers with a user’s phone number. Many payees provide their Swish number on invoices for easy payments.

Autogiro (direct debit)

With direct debits, creditors can withdraw funds directly from the payer’s bank account on the invoice due date. Autogiro is frequently used for recurring payments.

Card payments

Some invoices, especially from ecommerce or smaller businesses, can be paid via credit or debit card using secure online links included in the invoice.

Third-party payment platforms

Some businesses appreciate the option to pay invoices using alternative methods such as PayPal or Klarna, particularly in ecommerce transactions or international payments.

What information do businesses need to pay an invoice in Sweden?

To pay an invoice in Sweden, businesses will need a few pieces of information:

Who they’re paying

Every invoice will include the recipient’s bank details. In Sweden, this is usually a Bankgiro or PlusGiro number, which identifies the recipient’s account. If it’s an international payment, payers might see an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and SWIFT/BIC code instead.

How much the payer owes

The invoice will show the exact amount the payer needs to pay. Most payments in Sweden are in the Swedish krona (SEK), but payers should double-check if it’s in another currency.

Reference number

Payees often include an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) number on the invoice. If there’s no OCR number, payers can include the invoice number or a short memo (such as “invoice 12345”) for reference, in their payment method of choice.

Payment due date

Payers should make a note of the invoice’s due date. Paying on time helps avoid late fees and keeps things running smoothly.

Instructions to pay

Most invoices provide instructions on how to pay. Common payment options in Sweden include Bankgirot, Autogiro, and Swish.

How to pay with Stripe Invoicing in Sweden

If your business uses Stripe Invoicing, paying an invoice in Sweden can be even simpler. Here’s how it works.

Double-check the invoice

Stripe Invoicing sends invoices as a PDF or a link to a Stripe-hosted invoice page. The invoice should contain everything payers need to pay, including the amount owed, when it’s due, an invoice number, and, in many cases, a secure payment link to complete the transaction.

Choose a payment method

Stripe makes it easy by offering multiple ways to pay directly through the invoice link. These include:

• Credit or debit card: Payers enter their card details, and Stripe handles the rest.
  
• BNPL solutions: Payers can pay later with installment payments.
  
• Swish: Stripe invoices provide clear instructions to pay via Swish.
  

Get confirmation

Stripe sends payers an instant payment confirmation via email. Stripe will also automatically notify the payee, so there’s no need for payers to send proof of payment unless asked.

How to pay an invoice through a bank transfer in Sweden

Businesses commonly pay invoices in Sweden with bank transfers. Here’s how the process works.

Log in to your business banking platform

After gathering the information you’ll need for the invoice, access your online banking platform via your desktop or mobile app. Most Swedish banks provide secure and intuitive interfaces for businesses.

Set up the payment

• Choose the payment type: Select the option for Bankgirot or PlusGirot.
  
• Enter the recipient details: Input the recipient’s Bankgiro or PlusGiro number in the designated field.
  
• Input the payment amount: Enter the exact amount listed on the invoice.
  
• Add the reference number: Copy the OCR or reference number into the appropriate field. This ensures the payment is allocated correctly to the recipient.
  

Review and schedule the payment

Double-check all the details to avoid errors:

• Confirm the recipient’s Bankgiro or PlusGiro number.
  
• Verify the amount and reference number.
  
• Check the due date and decide if you want to schedule the payment in advance, or process it immediately.
  

Authorize the transfer

Once everything is verified, authorize the payment using your bank’s security protocol. In Sweden, this usually involves:

• A BankID (a secure electronic ID used for authentication)
  
• A security code generator or mobile app provided by your bank
  

Track your payment

After the payment is processed, most banks send you a receipt or confirmation. Save this for your records, especially if the payment is tied to ongoing business operations or if you’ll need it for tax preparation.

Automate payments

For recurring invoices, consider setting up:

• Recurring payments: These are ideal for fixed monthly amounts.
  
• Direct debits (Autogiro): These allow the recipient to pull the amount directly from your account, simplifying routine transactions.
  

How can Stripe simplify recurring invoice payments for businesses in Sweden?

Stripe can help Swedish businesses manage recurring invoice payments from their customers by automating complex tasks. Stripe also offers tools that address specific local needs, such as complying with value-added tax (VAT) regulations and offering preferred payment methods. Here’s how it works.

Automated invoicing and payments

Stripe reduces the manual work of managing recurring payments. Once a subscription or recurring payment plan is set up, Stripe automatically generates on-time invoices, sends them to customers, and processes payments if autobilling is enabled. Business owners don’t have to worry about missing invoices, sending payment reminders, or manually processing recurring transactions.

This automation isn’t just about convenience—it reduces the chance of errors, such as sending incorrect amounts or forgetting due dates, which can strain customer relationships.

Multiple local payment options

Stripe supports payment methods that Swedish businesses and customers commonly use. In addition to global options such as credit and debit cards, Stripe integrations allow for Swish transfers and BNPL options, so customers can pay invoices using their preferred payment method.

Transparent VAT management

Managing VAT can be tedious, especially when handling different rates or exemptions for domestic and international clients. Here’s how Stripe simplifies collecting VAT:

• You can set VAT rates by customer location.
  
• VAT is automatically calculated and added to invoices.
  
• Stripe’s reporting tools help you track VAT collected, making it easier to handle filings with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency).
  

Reduction of late payments and payment failures

Recurring payments can be a real benefit for your business’s cash flow if they work reliably. Stripe has built-in tools to prevent disruptions, including:

• Saved payment methods: Customers can securely store their payment details, so recurring payments happen automatically.
  
• Smart Retries: If a payment fails (e.g., due to insufficient funds or an expired card), Stripe retries it automatically, increasing the rate of success without adding tasks for the business.
  
• Payment reminders: Automated emails remind customers of upcoming or overdue payments, reducing the need for manual follow-ups.
  

Customizable invoices

Recurring invoices should be consistent and easy to interpret. Businesses can brand Stripe invoices with their logo and brand colors, and they’ll include all the relevant details for Swedish customers, such as:

• A clear breakdown of charges and VAT
  
• Local language preferences
  
• Payment instructions for the customer’s chosen method
  

Flexible subscription management

When customers need to adjust their recurring services—with upgrades, downgrades, or pauses—Stripe can help ease the process to account for these changes on invoices. With Stripe, your business can:

• Update subscription terms midcycle in a clear way, without recalculating invoices manually
  
• Automatically prorate charges when a subscription changes partway through a billing cycle
  
• Allow customers to manage some aspects of their accounts on their own, such as updating their payment details, through Stripe’s hosted portals
  

Security and trust

Customers need to know their data is safe, especially when their personal information is being stored for recurring charges. Stripe complies with the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), so transactions meet EU security standards. Strong encryption, fraud prevention, and secure data storage reduce the risk for the business and its customers.

Insights and reporting

The Stripe Dashboard provides businesses with detailed insights on subscription revenue, payment trends, and customer behavior. For example:

• Businesses can see the lifetime value of a subscription customer.
  
• Stripe allows businesses to analyze churn rates and payment failures to identify areas for improvement.
  
• With Stripe, businesses can generate reports for bookkeeping or strategic planning, all in the same platform.