Loan rules in Sweden 2026
What protects you when you take an unsecured loan, in figures. Sources: the Consumer Credit Act, konsumentkreditlagen (2010:1846), the Riksbank and Skatteverket.
Interest rate cap (räntetak)
22.00%
The nominal rate on consumer credit may not exceed the reference rate plus 20 percentage points. The reference rate is 2.00% in the second half of 2026. Mortgages are exempt.
Cost cap (kostnadstak)
At most the amount borrowed
Interest, fees, late-payment interest and collection costs may together never exceed what you borrowed. Borrow SEK 30,000 and you can never owe more than SEK 60,000 in total.
High-cost credit (högkostnadskredit)
32% effective rate
Credit with an effective rate of at least the reference rate plus 30 percentage points. It is subject to special requirements for credit assessment, and its marketing must carry a warning.
Interest deduction (ränteavdrag)
Not on unsecured loans
The tax deduction for interest on unsecured loans was removed from 1 January 2026. Mortgages and other secured loans are not affected.
Right of withdrawal (ångerrätt)
14 days
You can withdraw from a credit agreement within 14 days. You then repay the money and interest for the days you had it.
Early repayment
Always allowed
You may always repay a credit early. On unsecured loans at a variable rate, the lender may not charge interest compensation (ränteskillnadsersättning).
What the rules mean for you
The caps stop a credit from growing without limit, but they do not make it cheap. A quick loan of SEK 10,000 can still cost up to SEK 7,039 over one year in our comparison. So always compare the effective rate and the total to repay.
If you cannot pay, the cost cap sets the limit for how large the debt can become. Contact the lender early, and get help from your municipality's budget and debt advice.
Common questions about the rules
Does the interest rate cap apply to credit cards and credit lines?
Yes. The cap applies to the nominal rate on consumer credit, and credit cards and credit lines are consumer credit. Mortgages are exempt.
Who makes sure the rules are followed?
Finansinspektionen, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, supervises the lenders. Konsumentverket, the Swedish Consumer Agency, supervises the marketing of credit, and it is where you turn if an advert is misleading.
Where can I find the law?
The rules are in the Swedish Consumer Credit Act, konsumentkreditlagen (2010:1846). Konsumentverket's regulations on marketing credit (KOVFS 2025:1) govern the warning text, among other things.