South Korea – Sweden Tax Treaty
The South Korea-Sweden tax treaty caps withholding on dividends at 15% for portfolio investors and 10% for qualifying direct investment, and interest at 10%. Royalties are taxed at a uniform 10% across all categories. Private pensions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. This is one of 48 active treaties in South Korea's network and one of 44 in Sweden's. The general dividend rate of 15% compares to a median of 15% across South Korea's network and 15% across Sweden's.
Verified data
Skatteverket (skatteverket.se) - Tax Treaties overview and individual treaty texts (Treaty list verified April 2026. Rates from individual treaty texts (Articles 10-12).)
Withholding Rate Summary
Source: Sweden Treaty Reference| Income Type | Treaty Rate | Statutory Rate (Sweden) |
|---|---|---|
| Dividends (general) Portfolio investors | 15%saves 15% | 30% |
| Dividends (qualified) Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock | 10%saves 20% | 30% |
| Interest Bank interest, bonds, loans | 10% | 0% |
| Royalties (avg) Patents, copyright, know-how, film/TV | 10% | — |
| Pensions Private pension distributions | 0% | — |
| Social Security Government social security benefits | 0% | — |
“Treaty Rate” is the maximum withholding permitted under this treaty. The actual effective rate may be lower if domestic law provides a more favorable rate independently. “Statutory Rate (Sweden)” shows the rate that applies when no treaty benefit is claimed. Qualified dividend rate requires: Beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock.
Dividends
The general dividend rate of 15% applies to portfolio investors. A reduced rate of 10% is available when beneficial owner is a company holding >= 10% of voting stock. Without the treaty, the statutory withholding rate on dividends is 30%.
Source: Sweden Treaty Reference
Interest
Interest payments (bank interest, bonds, loans) are subject to 10% withholding under this treaty, compared to the 0% statutory rate. This represents a no reduction from the statutory rate.
Source: Sweden Treaty Reference
Royalties
Royalty withholding rates vary by the type of intellectual property. This treaty distinguishes 4 categories, with rates ranging from 10% to 10%.
Source: Sweden Treaty Reference
Pensions & Social Security
Private pension distributions are taxable only in the country of residence, with no withholding at source. Government social security benefits are exempt from source-country withholding.
Source: Sweden Treaty Reference
Comparative Context
🇰🇷South Korea's Network
Among South Korea's 48 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 43th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 15% |
| Pakistan | 15% |
| Portugal | 15% |
| Sweden (this treaty) | 15% |
| Singapore | 15% |
| Turkey | 15% |
| United States | 15% |
🇸🇪Sweden's Network
Among Sweden's 44 active treaty partners, the 15% general dividend rate ranks 29th (median: 15%).
| Partner | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ireland | 15% |
| Israel | 15% |
| Italy | 15% |
| South Korea (this treaty) | 15% |
| Luxembourg | 15% |
| Mexico | 15% |
| Netherlands | 15% |