Who owns what in a marriage in Sweden?

Separate ownership during the marriage, with the gains shared at the end

In Sweden each spouse owns their own property during the marriage, but on divorce the marital property of both is generally divided equally.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

The default, not your case. This page describes what applies when a couple sign no contract. Family law changes, and a court can decide differently on the facts of a case. For a couple with a foreign spouse, take advice in each country involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

What applies by default

Each spouse owns what they own, and manages it. Property that counts as marital property is shared when the marriage ends. Some property can be made personal by gift or will.

When the marriage ends in divorce

The marital property of both spouses is added together, debts are deducted, and the total is divided equally.

A marriage contract

A prenuptial agreement can make property personal, and it must be in writing and registered with the Tax Agency to be valid.

What stays your own, and gifts

Property can be excluded from the marital property by a gift or will that says so, and by an agreement.

If one spouse is a foreigner

In member states that take part in the EU Matrimonial Property Regulation, the law that governs the spouses' property is set by common rules, and spouses may choose from a short list of laws in a written agreement. Check whether the country takes part.

Understand the legal system first

Sweden belongs to the Civil law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Sweden legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →

Official sources

European e-Justice Portal: matrimonial property regimes in the EU

TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.