2025-02-192024/25:CU10 · p.20CUCivil law & housing
Final Statute of Limitations
Final limitation period for debts
What's at stake: The question is whether someone living under long-term wage garnishment should be guaranteed that the debt will eventually lapse. It affects people stuck in a debt spiral for a very long time.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
Parliament weighs whether the government should bring forward a proposal for a final limitation period on debts, or whether the matter should wait for the pending government inquiry's proposal on an absolute limitation period.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The Committee notes that a proposal for an absolute limitation period on claims, ten years after a creditor obtains an enforcement order, is still being prepared within the Government Offices, and considers that this ongoing work should not be pre-empted by parliament. The motions are therefore opposed.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 21 (V)
V argues that the government should produce a bill establishing a final limitation period for debts, as a complement to debt settlement, to guarantee that the situation of someone who has lived for a long time under wage garnishment at least does not get worse.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 21 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 90/0/0/16 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 13/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | Yes | Yes 57/0/0/11 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Abstain 0/0/63/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:130 by Isak From and Åsa Karlsson (both S) point 4, 2024/25:195 by Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez et al. (V) point 10, 2024/25:1381 by Mikael Eskilandersson et al. (SD) point 6 and 2024/25:2548 by Boriana Åberg (M) point 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:130 av Isak From och Åsa Karlsson (båda S) yrkande 4, 2024/25:195 av Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez m.fl. (V) yrkande 10, 2024/25:1381 av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 6 och 2024/25:2548 av Boriana Åberg (M) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 40 proposals in motions from the ordinary motion period 2024. The proposals concerned, among other things, compensation law issues, such as matters concerning insurance and damages. Others concerned insolvency and enforcement law issues, that is, what should apply to individuals and companies that cannot pay their debts. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the fact that work is already underway in many of the issues to which the proposals pertain.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to allow adjustments of wage deduction amounts multiple times per year during periods of high price increases. (V) — Reservation 21
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan states that indebtedness weakens people's independence and bargaining power and that regulation should be based on our shared needs rather than financial capital's.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that indebtedness weakens people's independence and bargaining power and that regulation should be based on our shared needs rather than financial capital's. A final statute of limitations for debts gives the person who has lived long with wage garnishment a way out, rather than lifelong debt bondage. The plan sees a society where people get trapped in deep debts as profitable mainly for the banks.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att skuldsättning försvagar människors självständighet och förhandlingsstyrka och att regleringen ska utgå från våra gemensamma behov snarare än finanskapitalets. En slutlig preskriptionstid för skulder ger den som levt länge med löneutmätning en väg ut, i stället för livslång skuldbundenhet. Planen ser ett samhälle där människor fastnar i djupa skulder som lönsamt främst för bankerna.
- counter over-indebtednessdecisive»Skuldsättning försvagar många människors självständighet och« (party programme ↗)“Indebtedness weakens many people's independence and”
- regulation based on shared needs»våra gemensamma behov snarare än finanskapitalets.« (party programme ↗)“our shared needs rather than financial capital's.”
- debt traps benefit capital»skulder är både lönsamt för bankerna och fördelaktigt för kapitalet i« (party programme ↗)“debts are both profitable for the banks and advantageous for capital”
The plan's fundamental starting point is that security and constantly new chances are a prerequisite for freedom and that the party's task is to take the side of those with the least power.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's fundamental starting point is that security and constantly new chances are a prerequisite for freedom and that the party's task is to take the side of those with the least power. A final statute of limitations for debts gives someone who has lived long with wage garnishment a final boundary and thus a second chance, in line with criticism of debt economy. The statute of limitations is not explicitly addressed in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planens principiella utgångspunkt är att trygghet och ständigt nya chanser är en förutsättning för frihet och att partiets uppgift är att ta parti för den som har minst makt. En slutlig preskriptionstid för skulder ger den som levt länge med löneutmätning en bortre gräns och därmed en andra chans, i linje med kritiken mot skuldekonomin. Preskription behandlas inte uttryckligen i planen.
- new chances in lifedecisive»trygghet, och ständigt nya chanser.« (party programme ↗)“security, and constantly new chances.”
- take the side of the weaker»Socialdemokratins uppgift är att ta parti för den som har mindre makt.« (party programme ↗)“The Social Democrats' task is to take the side of those with less power.”
- criticism of debt economy»utvecklats till en skuldekonomi. Detta har lett till en djup instabilitet« (party programme ↗)“developed into a debt economy. This has led to deep instability”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that excessively high private debt is a risk for both the individual and the national economy and that over-indebtedness shall be countered, while at the same time everyone has the right to basic economic security and new chances through life.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that excessively high private debt is a risk for both the individual and the national economy and that over-indebtedness shall be countered, while at the same time everyone has the right to basic economic security and new chances through life. A final period of limitation for debts gives those who have lived long with wage garnishment a way out and thus aligns with the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att en alltför hög privat skuldsättning är en risk för både individen och samhällsekonomin och att överskuldsättning ska motverkas, samtidigt som alla har rätt till grundläggande ekonomisk trygghet och nya chanser genom livet. En slutlig preskriptionstid för skulder ger den som levt länge med löneutmätning en väg ut och ligger därmed i linje med planens åtaganden.
- debt as a social riskdecisive»hög privat skuldsättning är en risk för individen« (party programme ↗)“high private debt is a risk for the individual”
- counter over-indebtedness»Girighet, överskuldsättning och spekulation ska motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“Greed, over-indebtedness and speculation shall be countered.”
- new chances through life»där alla erbjuds nya chanser att växa och« (party programme ↗)“where everyone is offered new chances to grow and”
- basic economic security»Alla har rätt till grundläggande ekonomisk« (party programme ↗)“Everyone has the right to basic economic”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address prescription of debts.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address prescription of debts. Closest is the party programme's demand for social safety nets strong enough to give everyone a new chance in life, and for given and predictable rules in the economy. A final prescription period as complement to debt relief aligns with this, but the underlying material is weak and the property rights principle pulls partly in the other direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen tar inte upp preskription av skulder. Närmast liggande princip är partiprogrammets krav på sociala skyddsnät som är starka nog att ge alla en ny chans i livet, och på givna och förutsägbara spelregler i ekonomin. En slutlig preskriptionstid som komplement till skuldsanering ligger i linje med detta, men underlaget är svagt och äganderättsprincipen drar delvis åt andra hållet.
- new chance in lifedecisive»att den klarar av att ge alla en ny chans i livet« (party programme ↗)“that it can give everyone a new chance in life”
- basic economic security»Välfärden ska innefatta sociala skyddsnät som förmår skapa en god ekonomisk grundtrygghet.« (party programme ↗)“Welfare shall include social safety nets that can create good basic economic security.”
- predictable rules»Ekonomin ska ha givna och förutsägbara spelregler« (party programme ↗)“The economy shall have given and predictable rules”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme requires that rules for debt relief be changed so that over-indebted people get greater opportunity to become debt-free, and is based on the idea that in a liberal society the individual gets new chances throughout life and has a basic economic standard.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires that rules for debt relief be changed so that over-indebted people get greater opportunity to become debt-free, and is based on the idea that in a liberal society the individual gets new chances throughout life and has a basic economic standard. A final statute of limitations as a complement to debt relief serves the same purpose: that those who have lived long with wage garnishment do not get trapped forever. Prescription is however not mentioned, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att reglerna för skuldsanering ändras så att överskuldsatta får större möjlighet att bli skuldfria, och bygger på att individen ska få nya chanser hela livet och ha en grundläggande ekonomisk standard. En slutlig preskriptionstid som komplement till skuldsanering tjänar samma syfte: att den som levt länge med löneutmätning inte fastnar för alltid. Just preskription nämns inte, så slutsatsen är härledd.
- ways out of debt trapsdecisive»Reglerna för skuldsanering ska ändras så att överskuldsatta får större möjlighet att bli skuldfria.« (party programme ↗)“Rules for debt relief shall be changed so that over-indebted people get greater opportunity to become debt-free.”
- new chances in life»liberala samhället får individen nya chanser, hela livet.« (party programme ↗)“liberal society the individual gets new chances, throughout life.”
- basic economic standard»Alla har rätt till en grundläggande ekonomisk standard.« (party programme ↗)“Everyone has the right to a basic economic standard.”
- support for those in debt»Konsumenter ska ha tillgång till budget- och skuldrådgivning« (party programme ↗)“Consumers shall have access to budget and debt counselling”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address prescription, but social policy's stated goal is to support individuals toward their own provision and that distribution policy measures are directed at those who have the greatest need for support.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address prescription, but social policy's stated goal is to support individuals toward their own provision and that distribution policy measures are directed at those who have the greatest need for support. A final prescription time for debts is such support for those who for a very long time have lived with wage garnishment and thereby been prevented from providing for themselves. Solidarity with the weak argues for the counter-proposal's requirement, while the plan's emphasis on personal responsibility is a counterweight that makes the assessment uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte preskription, men socialpolitikens uttalade mål är att stödja enskilda människor till egen försörjning och att fördelningspolitiska åtgärder riktas till dem som har störst behov av stöd. En slutlig preskriptionstid för skulder är ett sådant stöd för den som under mycket lång tid levt med löneutmätning och därigenom hindras från att försörja sig själv. Solidariteten med de svaga talar för motförslagets krav, medan planens betoning av personligt ansvar utgör en motvikt som gör bedömningen osäker.
- support toward self-provisiondecisive»Målet för socialpolitiken är att stödja gemenskaperna« (party programme ↗)“The goal of social policy is to support communities”
- support for those with greatest need»En social marknadsekonomi kräver fördelningspolitiska åtgärder som riktas till den som har störst behov« (party programme ↗)“A social market economy requires distribution policy measures that are directed at those who have the greatest need”
- solidarity with the weak»Vi vill solidarisera oss med de svaga och förtryckta.« (party programme ↗)“We want to show solidarity with the weak and oppressed.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address prescription (statute of limitations) of debts.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address prescription (statute of limitations) of debts. The closest principle is that the justice system should enforce concluded contracts and that property rights should have strong protection, which argues against claims being simply extinguished through a statutory final prescription. The party programme's promise of a way back is met in the plan's logic through debt relief, not by the creditor's right ceasing.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte preskription av skulder. Närmast liggande princip är att rättsväsendet ska upprätthålla ingångna avtal och att äganderätten ska ha ett starkt skydd, vilket talar mot att fordringar utan vidare släcks genom en lagstadgad slutlig preskription. Partiprogrammets löfte om en väg tillbaka tillgodoses i planens logik genom skuldsaneringen, inte genom att borgenärens rätt upphör.
- contracts must be enforceddecisive»För att lösa tvister, upprätthålla kontrakt« (party programme ↗)“To resolve disputes, enforce contracts”
- strong property rights»Äganderätten och näringsfriheten ska ha ett starkt skydd« (party programme ↗)“Property rights and freedom of enterprise shall have strong protection”
- a way back»Det ska alltid finnas en väg tillbaka för den som misslyckats« (party programme ↗)“There must always be a way back for those who have failed”
The plan does not address statute of limitations for debts.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address statute of limitations for debts. The nearest related principle is that a concern about remaining liable to repay years later cannot be accepted, together with the ambition to increase the individual's economic security and that work should always pay off. A final statute of limitations is in line with this, but the conclusion is derived from related principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte preskription av skulder. Närmast liggande princip är att en oro över att åratal senare fortfarande vara återbetalningsskyldig inte kan accepteras, tillsammans med ambitionen att öka den enskildes ekonomiska trygghet och att arbete alltid ska löna sig. En slutlig preskriptionstid ligger i linje med detta, men slutsatsen är härledd ur närliggande principer.
- no perpetual repayment obligationdecisive»Rätten till skadestånd måste garanteras, oron över att åratal senare bli återbetalningsskyldig, om brottsoffrets ens fått ut skadeståndet från första börja, kan inte accepteras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right to compensation must be guaranteed, the concern about being liable to repay years later, if the crime victim even received compensation from the start, cannot be accepted.”
- economic security»Öka den ekonomiska tryggheten för löntagare« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase economic security for wage earners”
- work should pay»Göra det mer lönsamt att arbeta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Make it more profitable to work”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:CU10)
- Committee report full text (HC01CU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:130 — Inkassolagen och inkassobolagen av Isak From och Åsa Karlsson (båda S)
- Motion 2024/25:1324 — Försäkringsbolagens bedömning av ärenden som gäller långvariga symtom från olycksfall av Märta Stenevi m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1368 — Skadestånd av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1381 — Överskuldsättning av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1385 — Insolvensrätt, bilmålvakter, olagliga bosättningar och övrigt av Mikael Eskilandersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1496 — Utredning av det solidariska betalningsansvaret för skadestånd av Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M)
- Motion 2024/25:1893 — Utökad kontroll vid ansökan om personlig konkurs av Jonny Cato (C)
- Motion 2024/25:195 — Konsumenträtt av Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:2199 — Skärpta straff för sexualbrott av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2548 — Absolut skuldpreskription av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2957 — Konsumentpolitik av Anne-Li Sjölund m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3074 — Konsumentpolitik av Jennie Nilsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3096 — Obligatorisk hemförsäkring av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3108 — Utgiftsområde 23 Areella näringar, landsbygd och livsmedel av Anna-Caren Sätherberg m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:488 — Utbetalning av skadestånd till drabbade av Mikael Larsson (C)
- Motion 2024/25:57 — Bättre ersättningsmöjligheter vid jaktskador av Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament