A Swedish company forms an Indian subsidiary by passing a board resolution, apostilling it with the Bolagsverket registration certificate through a notarius publicus, and appointing directors who obtain Indian digital signature certificates. We reserve the name and file SPICe+ incorporation forms, which also apply for PAN, TAN and GST. After incorporation, share capital is remitted from Sweden and reported to the RBI. One director must be resident in India, and a second shareholder is needed.
- Document route
- Notarius publicus certifies and issues the apostille
- Time difference
- India is 3h30 (summer) to 4h30 (winter) ahead
- Vehicle
- Private limited company
- Approval
- Automatic route in most sectors
Indian Subsidiary Setup from Sweden: how it works
We agree the structure first: a captive technology centre, a sales company, or a manufacturing entity, each with different object clauses, transfer pricing models and registrations. Swedish documents (registration certificate, articles, board resolution and directors' passports and address proof) are certified and apostilled by a notarius publicus, with authorised translations from Swedish where needed. Directors' Swedish identity numbers and addresses must match across documents. We also prepare the subscriber documents for the second shareholder, often a Swedish affiliate or a nominee.
Once the Registrar issues the incorporation certificate, we open the bank account, receive the share capital and file Form FC-GPR on the RBI FIRMS portal within thirty days of share allotment. Next come auditor appointment, statutory registers, professional tax and shops and establishments registration, and provident fund registration once staff join. Swedish parents should put an intercompany services or distribution agreement in place before invoicing starts, priced at arm's length and documented for Indian transfer pricing rules.
What clients in Sweden should know
- Profits paid to Sweden as dividends are taxed in India at the rate allowed by the India Sweden tax treaty, with credit in Sweden under Swedish rules.
- Swedish group policies on codes of conduct and whistleblowing can be adopted in India but must be aligned with Indian law such as the sexual harassment law.
- Secondees from Sweden can use a certificate of coverage under the social security agreement to stay in the Swedish system for a limited period.
Step by step from Sweden
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Sweden, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Sweden
Notarius publicus certifies and issues the apostille
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Sweden where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Sweden. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Indian Subsidiary Setup, or see all services for clients in Sweden and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Sweden
How long does it take?
Usually three to five weeks from complete apostilled documents to incorporation, then bank account and RBI reporting.
Can a Swedish AB be the only shareholder?
No. A private company needs at least two shareholders, though the second can hold a single share.
Do directors need to visit India?
No. Digital signatures and video KYC make remote incorporation possible.