Am I allowed to install ground-source heating in Sweden?
Yes — but ground-, soil-, lake- and groundwater-source heat need a notification to the municipal environmental board before you drill. An air-to-air heat pump needs nothing, and air-to-water usually not. Send the notification about 6 weeks before drilling, and keep at least 20 m between boreholes (your own and the neighbour's). Within a water-protection area the county board may need to give permission. The green-tech credit does not cover heat pumps (it covers solar, battery and charging point) — for a heat pump you instead use the ROT credit of 30% of the labour cost, max 50,000 kr per person per year.
📋 The rules
- Ground/soil/lake-source heat needs a notification to the board
- Notification about 6 weeks before drilling
- At least 20 m between boreholes (own and neighbour's)
- Air-to-air needs nothing; air-to-water usually no permit
- Green-tech excludes heat pumps — use the ROT credit (30%)
🔓 Exceptions
- Within a water-protection area the county board may need to give permission
- Neighbour consultation if the boundary is within 20 m or a drinking-water well within 30 m
- An air-to-air heat pump needs no notification at all
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Drilling without a notification brings an environmental sanction charge (around 3,000 kr) plus a handling fee, and the board can ban use. The property owner carries the liability.
📎 Official sources
- City of Stockholm · Heat pump permit →
- Tax Agency · Green technology →
- Environmental Code (1998:808) · Riksdagen →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a permit for ground-source heating?
You need to file a notification with the municipal board before drilling. In a water-protection area a permit can be required.
How close to the neighbour's borehole can I drill?
At least 20 metres between boreholes applies as a guideline, both to your own and the neighbour's holes.
Do I get the green-tech credit for a heat pump?
No. Green tech covers solar, battery and charging point. For a heat pump you use the ROT credit instead.
Does an air-to-air heat pump need a notification?
No. Air-to-air needs no notification, and air-to-water usually needs no permit.
What happens if I drill without notifying?
You can get an environmental sanction charge of around 3,000 kr and the municipality can ban use of the pump.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I install ground source heating sweden”
- “heat pump notification municipality”
- “borehole distance 20 metres sweden”
- “green tech heat pump credit”
- “rot credit heat pump”
- “ground source water protection area”