Background & Purpose

Traditional rules for business bans often required a direct connection to a company at the time of the crime, making it difficult to stop career criminals from misusing the business sector.

The Decision

The Swedish parliament approved the government's proposal to broaden and extend business bans, making it easier to stop criminals from operating companies regardless of their direct corporate ties during the offense.

Does this affect you?

  • Organized criminals: Faces a higher risk of receiving a long-term business ban that prevents them from legally running companies for up to fifteen years.
  • Legitimate business owners: Benefits from a cleaner market with reduced unfair competition from criminal actors abusing the corporate system.

In Practice

  • Business bans can now be issued even if the individual did not have an active business connection when committing the crime.
  • A business ban must now be issued for crimes carrying a minimum sentence of six months in prison, unless special reasons speak against it.
  • The maximum duration for a business ban is extended from ten years to up to fifteen years.