Receiving a letter from Kronofogden signifies that a creditor has applied for a payment order, a procedural stage that has not yet resulted in a court judgment. According to Section 25 of the Act on Payment Orders and Assistance, the Authority must order the debtor to respond within a specified timeframe. This period must not exceed two weeks, although a specific deadline is stated in each individual letter. A common misconception that debtors always have ten days is incorrect; the law sets a ceiling of two weeks, and the exact time is determined by the specific case.
Debtors are required to confirm receipt of the letter, which can be done via the Authority’s website, a provided acknowledgement form, or by phone. The Enforcement Authority clarifies that confirming receipt does not constitute acceptance of the debt, only acknowledgment of the claim. If a debtor neither pays nor objects to the claim within the deadline, Kronofogden issues a formal decision, or “utslag,” establishing liability. It is at this stage, not upon the initial application, that a payment default record may be registered with credit reporting agencies for private individuals.
If the debt is valid and unpaid, the Authority may initiate enforcement measures, most commonly wage garnishment. Under this process, an employer withholds a portion of the salary and remits it to Kronofogden until the debt is cleared. However, Swedish law mandates a protected amount, or “förbehållsbelopp,” which debtors are entitled to retain for basic living expenses. This protected sum consists of verified housing costs plus a standard monthly amount for food, clothing, telephone, and electricity. For 2026, the standard amount for a single person is 6,243 kronor per month. For example, a single individual with housing costs of 8,000 kronor retains a total of 14,243 kronor, leaving a net salary of 22,000 kronor subject to garnishment of up to 7,757 kronor.
Debtors have the right to object to incorrect claims within the stated deadline. If a claim is disputed or the debtor cannot pay the full amount, contacting the creditor to arrange a repayment plan is advised, though the claim may remain with the Enforcement Authority unless withdrawn. The applicant for the payment order pays a fee of 300 kronor to Kronofogden, which is non-refundable even if the application is subsequently withdrawn. Individuals facing debt issues can access free and confidential budget and debt counseling services through their municipality or contact Kronofogden’s customer service during business hours.
