How to Find Government Tenders in Sweden
Sweden spends over SEK 800 billion (approximately €70 billion) on public procurement annually — around 17-18% of GDP, making it one of the highest shares in the EU. This guide explains how to navigate Sweden's fragmented e-procurement landscape, understand the LOU legislation, and find contract opportunities across national and municipal levels.
By TenderRadar Team
Procurement Landscape
Sweden has one of the largest public procurement markets in the EU relative to GDP, with annual spending exceeding SEK 800 billion (approximately €70 billion) — roughly 17-18% of GDP. Procurement is conducted by around 6,000 contracting authorities including national agencies, 21 regions (regioner), and 290 municipalities (kommuner). Unlike many EU countries, Sweden has no single mandatory national tender portal. Instead, tenders are distributed across several competing commercial e-procurement platforms such as Visma TendSign, Mercell, and e-Avrop. Above EU thresholds, all tenders must also be published on TED. Sweden is a signatory to the EU procurement directives and the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
SEK 800B+ (~€70B)
Annual procurement value
~17-18%
Share of GDP
Legal Framework
Swedish procurement law implements the EU procurement directives through a set of national acts. The main law is LOU (Lagen om offentlig upphandling, 2016:1145), which governs procurement by public sector entities for supplies, services, and works. LUF (Lagen om upphandling inom försörjningssektorerna, 2016:1146) covers utilities sectors including water, energy, transport, and postal services. LUFS governs defence and security procurement. Below EU thresholds, LOU still applies but with simplified procedures. Sweden's procurement regime is known for its transparency, strong emphasis on sustainability criteria, and relatively accessible complaint mechanisms.
- LOU — Lagen om offentlig upphandling (2016:1145) — Public Procurement Act
- LUF — Lagen om upphandling inom försörjningssektorerna (2016:1146) — Utilities Procurement Act
- LUFS — Lagen om upphandling på försvars- och säkerhetsområdet (2011:1029) — Defence Procurement Act
- LOV — Lagen om valfrihetssystem (2008:962) — Freedom of Choice Act (healthcare/social services)
- Konkurrenslagen (2008:579) — Competition Act (governs anti-competitive behaviour in procurement)
Key authority: Upphandlingsmyndigheten (National Agency for Public Procurement)
Official Procurement Portals
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily)
PrimaryAll Swedish tenders above EU thresholds must be published on TED. This is the most reliable single source for high-value Swedish contracts and the best starting point for international suppliers.
Visit portalVisma TendSign
One of Sweden's most widely used e-procurement platforms. Used by many municipalities, regions, and government agencies to publish tenders and manage the entire procurement process electronically.
Visit portalMercell (formerly Opic)
Major Nordic e-procurement and tender notification platform. Aggregates tenders from Swedish contracting authorities and provides alert services. Widely used across Scandinavia.
Visit portale-Avrop
E-procurement platform used by several Swedish contracting authorities for publishing tenders, receiving questions, and managing bid submissions.
Visit portalSKR Adda (formerly SKL Kommentus)
The purchasing organisation for Sweden's municipalities and regions. Manages framework agreements (ramavtal) covering a wide range of goods and services on behalf of local government.
Visit portalProcurement Thresholds
| Category | Threshold (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Supplies | SEK 2,403,188 (~€221,000) |
| Services | SEK 2,403,188 (~€221,000) |
| Works | SEK 60,193,585 (~€5,538,000) |
Thresholds shown are for sub-central authorities (municipalities, regions) which account for the majority of Swedish procurement. Central government thresholds are lower: SEK 1,520,244 (~€140,000) for supplies/services. Values are exclusive of VAT (moms). Below these thresholds, LOU Chapter 19 simplified rules apply — tenders must still be advertised but with shorter timelines and less formal procedures. Thresholds are updated every two years in line with EU regulations.
Key Sectors & Opportunities
Defence & Security
Sweden has a significant defence industry anchored by Saab, with procurement managed by FMV (Försvarets materielverk). Opportunities span military equipment, IT systems, maintenance, and construction on defence installations.
CPV: 35
IT & Digital Services
Sweden is one of Europe's most digitally advanced nations. Government agencies and municipalities invest heavily in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital identity, and e-government platforms.
CPV: 72
Healthcare & Medical Equipment
Sweden's publicly funded healthcare system (managed by 21 regions) drives substantial procurement of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, hospital equipment, and healthcare IT systems.
CPV: 33
Infrastructure & Construction
Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration) manages major road, rail, and maritime infrastructure projects. Municipal construction and housing (bostadsbyggande) add significant volume.
CPV: 45
Clean Energy & Environment
Sweden leads in renewable energy adoption and green procurement. Opportunities in wind power, district heating, waste management, and environmental consulting are substantial.
CPV: 09
Social Services & Education
Municipalities procure extensively for schools, elderly care (äldreomsorg), and social services. The LOV system also creates choice-based markets in healthcare and social care.
CPV: 80
Tips for Suppliers
Monitor multiple e-procurement platforms
Sweden has no single mandatory tender portal. Tenders are spread across TendSign, Mercell, e-Avrop, and individual authority websites. Missing one platform means missing opportunities. TenderRadar aggregates all Swedish sources into a single feed so you never miss a relevant tender.
Understand framework agreements (ramavtal)
A large share of Swedish procurement is conducted through framework agreements, especially via Adda (for municipalities/regions) and Kammarkollegiet (for central government). Winning a place on a ramavtal gives you access to call-offs from hundreds of contracting authorities over 2-4 years.
Leverage Sweden's sustainability focus
Swedish procurement places strong emphasis on environmental and social sustainability criteria. Highlighting your environmental certifications (ISO 14001, EU Ecolabel), climate targets, and social responsibility practices can give you a competitive edge in evaluation.
Language is manageable
While most Swedish tenders are published in Swedish, Sweden has high English proficiency and many tenders — particularly in IT, consulting, and defence — accept bids in English. For Swedish-language tenders, the language is closely related to other Nordic languages and translation is straightforward.
Use the free guidance from Upphandlingsmyndigheten
The National Agency for Public Procurement (Upphandlingsmyndigheten) publishes extensive free guidance, criteria tools, and statistics on its website. It is an excellent resource for understanding Swedish procurement requirements and best practices.
Know the review process
Procurement decisions can be challenged at the förvaltningsrätt (administrative court). A supplier must apply for review before the contract is signed — the standstill period (avtalsspärr) is typically 10 days after award notification. Acting quickly is essential if you believe a procedure was unfair.
See how TenderRadar covers Sweden: Sweden coverage details, portals & sources →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Swedish government tenders published?
Swedish tenders are published across multiple commercial e-procurement platforms — primarily Visma TendSign, Mercell, and e-Avrop. There is no single mandatory national portal. All tenders above EU thresholds must also appear on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). Framework agreements for municipalities are managed through Adda, and for central government through Kammarkollegiet. TenderRadar monitors all these sources and delivers matched tenders to you automatically.
Can foreign companies bid on Swedish government tenders?
Yes. EU/EEA companies have full and equal access to all Swedish tenders above EU thresholds under EU procurement directives. Companies from WTO GPA signatory countries also have access. For below-threshold tenders, there are no legal restrictions on foreign participation. Sweden is generally considered one of the more open and transparent procurement markets in Europe.
Do I need to submit bids in Swedish?
It depends on the contracting authority and the tender. Many tenders require submissions in Swedish, but Sweden has one of the highest English proficiency rates in Europe, and tenders in IT, defence, and research frequently accept English-language bids. Always check the tender documents carefully — the language requirement is stated in the procurement notice.
What is the role of Adda and Kammarkollegiet?
Adda (formerly SKL Kommentus) is the central purchasing body for Sweden's 290 municipalities and 21 regions. It establishes framework agreements that local authorities can call off from. Kammarkollegiet serves a similar function for central government agencies. Together, these two bodies manage a significant portion of Swedish procurement through framework agreements covering IT, office supplies, vehicles, consulting, and many other categories.
How long does a typical Swedish procurement process take?
For open procedures above EU thresholds, the minimum tender period is 30 days (35 without electronic submission). Simplified procedures below thresholds have no statutory minimum but typically allow 20-30 days. Evaluation and contract award usually take 1-3 months. The mandatory standstill period (avtalsspärr) is 10 days after the award decision before the contract can be signed. The total process from publication to signed contract typically takes 3-6 months.
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