What is a Special Service Recipient?
A special service recipient is a person who receives legal documents on behalf of a company. Learn about the role's legal significance and why it exists.
Definition and Purpose
A special service recipient (särskild delgivningsmottagare) is a designated person who receives legal documents, such as court summons and official notices, on behalf of a Swedish limited company (aktiebolag). This ensures that important legal documents reach the company even when board members or the CEO are not available in Sweden.
The role is regulated by the Swedish Companies Act (Aktiebolagslagen) and is registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket).
What Does It Mean in Practice?
When a company has a registered special service recipient, authorities and courts can send legal documents to this person instead of trying to reach individual board members. The service recipient then forwards the documents to the appropriate people within the company.
The service recipient handles:
- •Court summons and legal notices
- •Tax decisions from the Swedish Tax Agency
- •Decisions from other authorities
- •Important legal deadlines
Legal Background
The requirement for a special service recipient is found in Chapter 8, Section 40 of the Swedish Companies Act (Aktiebolagslagen 2005:551). The law states that a limited company must have a special service recipient if:
- 1.None of the board members or the CEO is a Swedish resident
- 2.The company cannot be reached through its registered address
The service recipient must be a natural person who is a Swedish resident and is registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.
See the step-by-step guide on how to register a special service recipient with Bolagsverket.
You can also read about what responsibilities a special recipient of service has.
FAQ
Can anyone be a special service recipient?
The person must be a Swedish resident (folkbokförd i Sverige) and at least 18 years old. The person cannot be a minor or have a legal guardian.
Is the service recipient personally liable?
No, the service recipient is not personally liable for the company's obligations. The role is limited to receiving and forwarding legal documents.
How is the appointment registered?
The appointment is registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) through their online service verksamt.se. The registration fee is 1,000 SEK.
You can also see the price for a special recipient of service.
Related Guides
When Must a Company Have a Service Recipient?
Understand when the requirement for a special service recipient arises.
Read more about When Must a Company Have a Service Recipient?How to Register with the Swedish Companies Registration Office?
Step-by-step guide for registering a service recipient.
Read more about How to Register with the Swedish Companies Registration Office?Responsibilities of a Special Service Recipient
What responsibilities does a special service recipient have?
Read more about Responsibilities of a Special Service RecipientService Recipient for Foreign Board Members
Rules for companies with foreign board members and CEOs.
Read more about Service Recipient for Foreign Board MembersOfficial Sources
For official regulations and requirements, please refer to these Swedish government agencies: