Estate clearance in Sweden: a step-by-step guide for heirs abroad
Inherited a home in Sweden while living abroad? Here is the whole process in plain English – from probate and valuation to clearance and selling – and how we handle it remotely.
Handling an estate in Sweden from abroad follows six steps: get the death certificate, do the estate inventory (bouppteckning), value the contents, clear and remove, sell the property and contents, then a final cleaning. We run the practical side remotely – free photo-based assessment, reply within 24 hours.
1. Get the death certificate and estate inventory
The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) issues a death certificate with a family certificate (dödsfallsintyg med släktutredning) that shows who the estate beneficiaries (dödsbodelägare) are. This document is needed to act on behalf of the estate towards banks and authorities.
Within three months of the death, an estate inventory (bouppteckning) must normally be drawn up and then registered with Skatteverket. It lists the assets and debts as they stood on the day of death.
2. You don't have to be in Sweden
Most of the process can be handled remotely. Beneficiaries living abroad can take part in the estate inventory by phone or video, or give another beneficiary power of attorney (fullmakt). A signature on a power of attorney may need to be witnessed by a Notary Public, embassy or consulate.
We run the practical side – valuation, buyout, clearance, removal and cleaning – on photos and email, with photo documentation throughout, so you can follow along from anywhere.
3. Value the contents before anything is removed
Furniture, art, silver, jewellery, watches and collectables are valued at market value (what they would realistically sell for second-hand), not at replacement cost. Send us photos and we make a free assessment, usually within 24 hours.
Valuable items can be bought by us and offset against the cost of clearance and cleaning – sometimes covering most of it. Nothing of value is thrown away without your approval.
4. Clear, remove and recycle
Once the inventory is done and the beneficiaries agree, we clear the home room by room, set aside papers, photos and valuables, and sort the rest into resale, donation and recycling. Keys can be arranged via your estate agent, lawyer or a neighbour.
5. Selling the property and the contents
If the property is sold while still owned by the estate, the estate (not you personally) reports any capital gain in its tax return. To sell a property the estate often first applies for title (dödsbolagfart) at Lantmäteriet. We can coordinate with your Swedish estate agent and lawyer, and handle the home so it is ready for sale or hand-over.
6. Final cleaning and hand-over
We finish with a move-out cleaning to estate-agent standard, so the home can be sold or returned to the landlord. You receive photo documentation and any buyout payment goes to the estate, to be distributed at the division of inheritance (arvskifte).
General information, not legal advice. Last updated 14 June 2026. Swedish version: Att ta hand om ett dödsbo · Official probate info at the Swedish Tax Agency ↗
Common questions from heirs abroad
Yes. The process runs on photos, email and phone: assessment, quote, key hand-over via your agent or lawyer, and photo documentation when the work is done. Most of our international clients never need to fly over.
As a rule the bouppteckning must be drawn up within three months of the death and submitted to Skatteverket within one month after that. This is general information – check the current rules with Skatteverket.
If there are several beneficiaries they need to agree, and a written power of attorney is often practical so one person can act for the estate. A signature may need to be witnessed by a Notary Public, embassy or consulate.
If the home is sold while owned by the estate, the estate reports and pays any capital gains tax in its tax return. If a beneficiary first inherits the property and sells later, they pay it privately. Check your case with Skatteverket or an estate agent.
Yes. We value and buy furniture, art, silver, jewellery and collectables. The amount is paid to the estate or deducted from the clearance cost.
All of Sweden – from Malmö and Gothenburg in the south to Stockholm, and north to Luleå.
Need help with an estate in Sweden?
Send a few photos and we'll reply in English, usually within 24 hours – free, no obligation.
Eller ring oss direkt på 010-189 27 00