New building permit regulations in Sweden as of 1 December 2025 – Key legal challenges and opportunities under the new regulatory framework
- Advokatfirma Tihinen
- 1 dec. 2025
- 4 min läsning
From 1 December 2025, a new regulatory framework for building permits will enter into force in Sweden. The new rules are one of several measures introduced to facilitate construction and enhance opportunities for property development. In the following article, we explain what the changes entail, address some of the most common questions arising from the amendments, and explore how the regulatory changes could affect practical application.
Background
As of 1 December 2025, a new regulatory framework for building permits will enter into force in Sweden. These new rules constitute the most extensive amendments to the Planning and Building Act (2010:900) (Sw. plan- och bygglagen, “PBL”) in the past 15 years. In brief, the amendments mean that a significantly larger number of measures may be carried out without a requirement for a building permit. The purpose of the changes is partly to promote increased housing construction and partly to strengthen property owners’ opportunities to develop their own properties.
Amendments to the Planning and Building Ordinance (2011:338) (Sw. plan- och byggförordningen, “PBF”) will also enter into force on 1 December 2025. In addition, the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning’s new Building Regulations entered into force on 1 July 2025 (“BBR”). These regulatory instruments largely complement the PBL.
What do the new building permit regulations in Sweden entails?
The new building permit rules that have recently entered into force have attracted significant attention among property owners. Many see new opportunities to develop their properties and carry out various measures, but also potential challenges.
Expanded opportunities for property development
The new building permit rules make it possible to create additional income streams from a property, for example through the construction of complementary residential buildings for rental purposes, installation of solar panels for the production and sale of solar electricity, or conversion of existing spaces (e.g. attic spaces into residential use, despite previous prohibitions on attic conversion in detailed development plans).
In combination with the amendments to the BBR, this also means that lower requirements may apply in respect of ceiling height and natural light, enabling modification or conversion of more spaces than previously permitted. For buildings located outside areas covered by a detailed development plan, it will also be possible, without a building permit, to change the use of up to 50 square metres of an individual building to a different purpose (e.g. converting a small cottage or storage building into a co-working office or café).
Although several measures are now exempt from the requirement for a building permit, a notification under the PBF may still be required (e.g. in relation to fireplaces, water and sewage installations, ventilation etc.), and other necessary permits still may need to be obtained (e.g. a shoreline protection exemption if the property is located within a shoreline protection area etc.).
Restrictions in cultural heritage areas
Through the comprehensive plan, municipalities are required to designate areas within the municipality that constitute cultural heritage areas. In such designated areas, the requirements for building permits are tightened, including for measures that were previously exempt from building permit requirements.
Possibilities for enforcement in the event of violations of the PBL
Despite the regulatory simplifications, the municipality’s supervisory powers remain in place. A supervisory matter may be initiated by the municipality itself or following a complaint. The municipality has a duty to investigate all supervisory matters. If a violation of the PBL is found to have occurred, the municipality may require corrective measures to be taken and, where necessary, decide on various enforcement actions (orders, penalty payments, building sanction fees, etc.).
Transitional provisions applicable to the new rules
As a general rule, the previous provisions (i.e. the rules in force prior to 1 December 2025) continue to apply to matters that were initiated before the entry into force of the new rules, as well as to proceedings concerning appeals and reviews of such matters, until the matter has been finally determined.
Reflections
The new building permit regulations in Sweden entail simplifications of the Planning and Building Act However, the regulatory changes are at times perceived as confusing, and it is not always clear which measures are exempt from building permit requirements and which remain subject to a permit or notification obligation. Nevertheless, the regulatory simplifications are welcome, and it remains to be seen how private individuals and developers will make use of the new building-permit-exempt measures.
Although the purpose of the amendments is to reduce the need for building permit reviews, there is a risk of uncertainty as to which measures do or do not require a building permit or notification. This may lead to an increase in supervisory actions under the PBL, particularly in relation to measures within or adjacent to culturally and historically valuable areas. In this context, the designation of cultural heritage areas in municipal comprehensive plans may give rise to some uncertainty regarding whether a building permit is required. It cannot be ruled out that carrying out measures without prior review may also increase the risk of disputes between neighbouring property owners.
At the same time, the legislative amendments provide expanded opportunities for property owners to develop their properties. It will be interesting to follow developments in this area over the coming years and to see how the new rules function in practice, and whether they contribute to greater opportunities for individuals to make use of their properties.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding the above or other legal matters, please feel free to contact us for more information on how we can assist you. We have experience acting as local counsel for a wide range of clients, and we regularly assist companies and organizations in resolving legal challenges within our areas of expertise.
(Please note that this article is intended solely as a general overview for informational purposes and should not be regarded as binding legal advice in any individual case.)