Owning a home together: cohabitees, married couples and friends
What the Cohabitees Act says about the home, how inheritance works, when a cohabitation agreement and will are needed, and what applies to married couples.
Applies to: Sweden. Reviewed 2026-09-25.
Key takeaways
- A home bought for joint use is cohabitee property and is split equally on separation, whoever paid, unless otherwise agreed.
- Cohabitees do not inherit from each other without a will.
- Married couples can make the home separate property by prenuptial agreement.
Cohabitees
A home and household goods acquired for joint use are cohabitee property. When the relationship ends, it is divided equally in a division of property if either partner asks. Cohabitees can contract out of these rules in a cohabitation agreement.
Cohabitees do not inherit from each other. On death, the surviving partner may request a division of property and is always entitled to cohabitee property worth two price base amounts, where available.
Married couples
Spouses' property is marital property and is included in a division, unless it has been made separate property, for example by prenuptial agreement.
Friends, siblings and parents
If you buy together without being a couple, co-ownership applies. Write a co-ownership agreement on shares, costs, who may stay and how one party can be bought out.
Questions to ask
- How do we want to split if we paid different amounts of the deposit?
Red flags
- You buy together without a cohabitation agreement or wills.
Sources
- The Cohabitees Act (2003:376) (Sveriges riksdag)
- The Marriage Code (1987:230) (Sveriges riksdag)