Am I allowed to divorce in Sweden?
Yes — you have a right to divorce with no reason given. You apply for divorce to the district court, jointly or alone, and the application costs 900 kr. Your spouse cannot block it — if only one of you wants the divorce it still goes through, just after a reconsideration period. A reconsideration period of at least 6 months applies if a spouse lives with their own child under 16, if only one of you wants the divorce, or if you ask for it. The trap: after the reconsideration you must actively complete within 6 months, or the case is dismissed and you remain married. If you have no child under 16, agree and request no reconsideration — or have lived apart for at least 2 years — you can divorce immediately.
📋 The rules
- Divorce with no reason needed, application to the district court
- Application fee: 900 kr
- 6-month reconsideration with a child under 16 or a one-sided application
- Complete within 6 months after the reconsideration, or it is dismissed
- Immediate divorce if you have lived apart for at least 2 years
🔓 Exceptions
- Two years living apart gives an immediate right even with young children
- Bigamy or marriage between close relatives: no reconsideration
- A dismissed case resets the clock — you must apply again
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There is no penalty and no fee beyond the 900 kr application fee. The cost sits in the deadlines. After the reconsideration period the divorce must be completed within 6 months — if it is not, the case is dismissed, you stay married, and the clock resets: a new application means a new fee and, where applicable, a new 6-month reconsideration period. It is the commonest costly mistake, because many assume the divorce goes through by itself once the reconsideration period expires. It does not.
📎 Official sources
- Marriage Code (1987:230) ch. 5 · Riksdagen →
- Courts of Sweden · Divorce →
- Courts of Sweden · Application fee →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to give a reason for divorce?
No. Sweden has no-fault divorce, so you need give no reason and your spouse cannot block it. If only one of you wants the divorce, however, a six-month reconsideration period applies.
What does applying for divorce cost?
The application fee to the district court is 900 kr, and that is the only fee in the case itself. If the case is dismissed because you did not complete in time, you must apply again and pay the fee once more.
When is a reconsideration period required?
When a spouse lives with their own child under 16, when only one of you wants the divorce, or when you request it yourselves. The period is at least six months, but it is not needed if you have lived apart for at least two years.
Can we divorce immediately?
Yes, if you agree, have no child under 16 living with you and request no reconsideration period. If you have lived apart for at least two years you can divorce immediately even with young children in the family.
What happens if we do not complete in time?
If you miss the six-month completion window the case is dismissed and you stay married. The divorce does not go through automatically when the reconsideration period ends — you must reapply, with a new fee and a new reconsideration period.
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