Warranty expired? You may still have statutory consumer rights in Sweden

How to complain about a defective product in Sweden after the warranty expires, who must prove what, and whether you need the receipt.

If a phone, appliance, piece of furniture, clothing or another product develops a fault after its warranty expires, you do not necessarily have to pay for the repair yourself.

Swedish consumer law gives buyers a statutory right to complain about certain product defects. The Swedish term is reklamationsrätt.

Warranty and statutory rights are different

A warranty is an additional voluntary promise from the seller or manufacturer. Your statutory right to complain exists separately. If you are a private consumer and bought goods from a business, you can generally complain about an original defect for up to three years.

New and second-hand goods

The rule can apply to both new and second-hand goods purchased from a business. Different rules apply when buying from another private individual.

Not every breakdown is covered

The underlying cause of the defect must have existed when the product was delivered, even if the problem only becomes noticeable later. Normal wear and tear, misuse or damage caused by the buyer are not automatically the seller’s responsibility.

The first two years

If the problem appears within the first two years, you generally only need to show that the product is faulty. If the seller wants to reject the claim, the company generally has to show that the problem is due to something it is not responsible for.

From two to three years

After two years, if the seller disagrees, you may need to show that the underlying defect was already present when the product was delivered. An expert opinion may sometimes help.

What can you ask for?

The first remedies are normally repair at no cost or replacement. If the defect cannot be resolved within a reasonable time, repairs fail, or the problem is sufficiently serious, a price reduction or cancellation of the purchase may become possible.

Do you need the receipt?

You must be able to prove the purchase. A receipt is the easiest evidence, but it is not always the only option. Konsumentverket states that a bank statement may sometimes be sufficient if it clearly shows what you bought.

How to complain

1. Contact the seller in writing.
2. State what you bought and when.
3. Describe the defect and when you noticed it.
4. Add photos or video where useful.
5. Include proof of purchase.
6. State the remedy you want.
7. Keep the correspondence.

If the seller refuses

If you cannot resolve the dispute, consumer guidance is available from Konsumentverket and, in some municipalities, local consumer advisers. In some cases the dispute can be submitted to Allmänna reklamationsnämnden — ARN.

Serious safety defects

Serious safety defects are a separate category. Konsumentverket states that in some cases consumers may complain about serious safety defects for up to 10 years. This is not the general rule for ordinary product faults.

Official sources

• Konsumentverket — Reklamationsrätt
• Konsumentverket — Receipt rules

Sources checked: 6 September 2026.