Receiving an invoice you disagree with can be stressful and confusing. What are your rights under Swedish law? Here are 100 common questions and answers about how to dispute an invoice and what happens next.
1. What does it mean to dispute an invoice?
It means sending a written objection stating you do not accept the invoice.
2. Do I have to pay an invoice I disagree with?
No, but you must notify the company and explain why you dispute it.
3. How do I dispute an invoice?
By contacting the company in writing, such as by email.
4. What should I include in my dispute?
State that you do not accept the invoice and explain why.
5. Do I need to provide a reason?
Yes, it strengthens your position and helps prevent further claims.
6. Is there a deadline for disputing an invoice?
Yes, you should dispute it as soon as possible after receiving it.
7. What happens if I don’t dispute it in time?
It may be seen as acceptance of the claim.
8. Should I pay the part I agree with?
Yes, pay the undisputed part to avoid further reminders on that amount.
9. Is a phone call enough to dispute an invoice?
No, always dispute in writing so you have proof.
10. Can I dispute an invoice from a debt collection agency?
Yes, in the same way as you would with the original company.
11. What is a debt collection notice (inkassokrav)?
A payment demand sent by a collection agency.
12. Should I dispute the collection notice if I’ve already disputed the invoice?
Yes, to ensure the agency is aware of your objection.
13. What is a payment default record (betalningsanmärkning)?
A record of unpaid debt that affects your credit rating.
14. Can I get a payment default record for a disputed invoice?
Not directly, but if the matter goes to the Enforcement Authority and you don’t respond, you risk a record.
15. What is a payment order (betalningsföreläggande)?
A formal payment claim from the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden).
16. What should I do if I receive a payment order?
Send a written objection to the Enforcement Authority.
17. How do I object to a payment order?
Fill out and submit the objection form provided.
18. What happens if I don’t respond to the payment order?
The Enforcement Authority may rule you liable to pay, and you may receive a payment default record.
19. What happens after I object to a payment order?
The company must decide whether to take the matter to court.
20. Can the company take me to court after I dispute the invoice?
Yes, but they must initiate legal proceedings.
21. What is a civil lawsuit?
A court process where the court decides if you are liable to pay.
22. Do I need a lawyer in court?
No, but legal representation may help in complex cases.
23. Who pays the legal costs?
The losing party usually pays both sides’ legal costs.
24. What happens if I win the court case?
You don’t have to pay, and you may recover your legal costs.
25. What happens if I lose the court case?
You must pay the invoice and possibly the other party’s legal costs.
26. Can I get legal expense coverage through my home insurance?
Yes, legal protection is often included for disputes.
27. What is statute of limitations (preskription)?
The expiration of a claim after a certain period.
28. What is the limitation period for an invoice?
Three years for consumer claims, ten years otherwise.
29. What happens if the claim is time-barred?
You can dispute the claim on that basis.
30. Do I need to mention the limitation period?
Yes, otherwise the claim may still proceed.
31. What is a reminder fee?
An extra fee for unpaid invoices.
32. Can I dispute a reminder fee?
Yes, if you have already disputed the original invoice.
33. What is a collection fee (inkassoavgift)?
A fee for collection services.
34. Can I dispute the collection fee?
Yes, if you have disputed the underlying invoice.
35. What is late payment interest (dröjsmålsränta)?
Interest charged on unpaid invoices.
36. Do I have to pay late interest on a disputed invoice?
No, if you disputed the invoice in time.
37. What are contract terms (avtalsvillkor)?
The agreed rules and conditions between you and the company.
38. Can I dispute the invoice if the company broke the contract?
Yes, that is a valid objection.
39. Can I dispute the invoice if the product or service is faulty?
Yes, you can challenge the price or the whole invoice.
40. Do I need proof to dispute?
Proof helps, but you have the right to dispute even without it.
41. What is the Consumer Services Act (Konsumenttjänstlagen)?
A law protecting consumers when buying services.
42. Does the Consumer Services Act apply to invoices?
Yes, for services provided to private individuals.
43. What is the Consumer Sales Act (Konsumentköplagen)?
A law protecting consumers when buying goods.
44. Does the Consumer Sales Act apply to invoices?
Yes, for goods sold to private individuals.
45. Can I dispute the invoice if the delivery is late?
Yes, you may have the right to a discount or cancellation.
46. Can I dispute the invoice if the product is damaged?
Yes, you can demand repairs or a price reduction.
47. What is remedy (avhjälpande)?
The company fixing the problem at no extra charge.
48. What is a price reduction?
Paying a lower price due to a defect.
49. What is cancellation (hävning)?
The purchase is reversed, and both parties return what they received.
50. Can I dispute the entire invoice for minor issues?
Usually, you should only dispute the portion that relates to the issue.
51. What is ARN (Allmänna reklamationsnämnden)?
The National Board for Consumer Disputes in Sweden.
52. Can I file a complaint with ARN?
Yes, if you are a consumer and the company is a business.
53. Are ARN’s decisions binding?
No, but reputable companies often follow them.
54. What is a subscription invoice dispute?
Disputing an invoice for a subscription you never agreed to.
55. Can I dispute a scam invoice (bluffaktura)?
Yes, and you should also report it to the police.
56. What is a scam invoice?
A fake invoice for something you never ordered.
57. What is an incomplete contract?
A contract lacking clear price or terms.
58. Can I dispute the invoice if the contract is unclear?
Yes, unclear or unfair terms can be invalid.
59. What is an unreasonable invoice?
An invoice with a price that is unreasonably high.
60. Can I dispute an unreasonable price?
Yes, under Swedish contract law.
61. What is a verbal agreement?
An agreement made without written confirmation.
62. Are verbal agreements valid?
Yes, but they are harder to prove.
63. Can I dispute the invoice if there was no agreement?
Yes, if you never ordered the product or service.
64. What is acceptance (acceptavtal)?
When you explicitly agree to an offer.
65. Does silence count as acceptance?
No, you must clearly agree.
66. What is an unsolicited order?
An order you did not place.
67. Can I dispute an unsolicited order?
Yes, that is a valid objection.
68. What is a forged signature?
When someone signs your name without permission.
69. Can I dispute an invoice with a forged signature?
Yes, and you should report it to the police.
70. What is misleading advertising?
When a company gives false or unclear information.
71. Can I dispute an invoice based on misleading advertising?
Yes, the contract may be invalid.
72. What are unfair contract terms?
Terms that violate the law or good business practice.
73. Can I dispute the invoice due to unfair terms?
Yes, if the terms are unreasonable.
74. What is a standard contract?
Predefined contract terms used by companies.
75. Are all standard contracts valid?
No, they must comply with mandatory laws.
76. Can I dispute the invoice if the company violated the law?
Yes, the law overrides the contract.
77. Can I dispute an invoice from a foreign company?
Yes, but it may be more complicated.
78. What applies to invoices from EU countries?
EU consumer protection rules often apply.
79. What applies to invoices from outside the EU?
It depends on the contract and applicable law.
80. What is a pricing dispute?
Disagreement over the amount to be paid.
81. What is a contract interpretation dispute?
Disagreement over what the contract actually says.
82. Can I ask for proof that I agreed to the contract?
Yes, the company should be able to provide it.
83. What is the burden of proof (bevisbörda)?
Who must prove what in a dispute.
84. Who has the burden of proof for the agreement?
Usually the company.
85. Can recordings be used as evidence?
Yes, if legally obtained.
86. What is an email dispute?
Sending a written objection by email.
87. Must the company respond to my dispute?
They should, but they are not always required to.
88. What if the company does not respond?
They may still send the case to collection or enforcement.
89. What is a written acknowledgment of debt?
A statement where you admit you owe the money.
90. Should I avoid writing ”I will pay later” if I dispute the claim?
Yes, it may be seen as admitting the debt.
91. What is partial acceptance?
Agreeing to part of the invoice while disputing the rest.
92. What should I consider when partially accepting an invoice?
Be clear about what you accept and what you dispute.
93. Can I request a corrected invoice for the accepted amount?
Yes, this is common in partial disputes.
94. What is an acknowledgment (medgivande)?
Agreeing to a claim or contract.
95. Can I withdraw an acknowledgment?
Only if it was not legally binding.
96. What is a collection letter (inkassobrev)?
A payment demand from a collection agency.
97. What is a legal threat?
A warning that legal action may be taken.
98. Should I ignore legal threats?
No, always respond if you dispute the claim.
99. What is a fair resolution to an invoice dispute?
A solution where both parties’ rights and obligations are considered.
100. Why is legal advice important in invoice disputes?
To avoid costly mistakes and ensure you act correctly.
