What is a change of ownership?
A change of ownership (ägarskifte) means the ownership of a company changes hands in whole or in part. It can involve a founder selling, a co-owner being bought out, or the business passing to the next generation or to new investors. For unlisted companies, a change of ownership is often a larger and more planned process than a single share deal.
Common forms of change of ownership
- External sale — the company is sold to an outside buyer, sometimes as an exit.
- Internal change — shares pass to employees, co-owners or family members.
- Gradual change — ownership shifts over time, for example through share transfers in several steps.
What to keep in mind
A change of ownership often triggers clauses in the articles, such as a hembud, and any shareholders' agreement with drag-along and tag-along clauses. Valuation, tax and financing are central questions that often call for advice.