Can I decide who manages my affairs if I become ill in Sweden?
Yes — with a future power of attorney you appoint someone in advance to handle your financial and personal affairs if you later permanently lose your decision-making capacity. It follows from the Future Powers of Attorney Act (2017:310). You must be 18 and have decision-making capacity when you write it, and it must be in writing and witnessed by two people who know that it is a future power of attorney. The witnesses may not be your spouse, cohabitant, closest relative or the person you appoint as attorney — that is where most powers of attorney fall down. It cannot cover decisions on healthcare or dental care, nor writing a will or getting married.
📋 The rules
- You appoint, in advance, an agent for your affairs
- You must be 18 and of sound mind
- It must be written and witnessed by two people
- The witnesses may not be a spouse, relative or the agent
- Cannot cover healthcare or dental-care decisions
🔓 Exceptions
- The chief guardian can review and stop misuse of the power of attorney
- It cannot be made irrevocable
- It lapses if a guardian or administrator is appointed for the same matters
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The Act contains no penalty — a future power of attorney is a tool, not a permit. The price of getting it wrong is instead that the document does not work when it is needed: if the formal requirements fail, or the wrong person witnessed it, relatives are left without the authority they thought they had. If the attorney abuses the power it can bring liability in damages and fall under general criminal law, as breach of trust against a principal or embezzlement. The Chief Guardian can review and stop abuse, and the power can never be made irrevocable.
📎 Official sources
- Future Powers of Attorney Act (2017:310) · Riksdagen →
- Courts of Sweden · Future power of attorney →
- Konsumenternas · Future power of attorney →
❓ Frequently asked
What is a future power of attorney?
A way of appointing someone in advance to handle your financial and personal affairs if you permanently lose your decision-making capacity. It rests on the Future Powers of Attorney Act (2017:310).
What are the formal requirements?
It must be in writing, signed and witnessed by two people who know that it is a future power of attorney. You yourself must be 18 and have decision-making capacity when you sign.
Who may be a witness?
Not your spouse, cohabitant, closest relative or the person you appoint as attorney, because they are too close. The witnesses must be at least 15 and know that what they witness is a future power of attorney.
Can the power cover healthcare?
No. A future power of attorney cannot cover decisions on healthcare or dental care, nor writing a will or getting married. It covers finances and personal affairs.
When does the power take effect?
When you can no longer permanently handle your own affairs. The attorney assesses that, unless the document says otherwise, and the Chief Guardian can review and stop abuse.
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