Stockholm, February 4, 2026 — The Swedish authority has voiced support for proposals to strengthen merger review rules, arguing that removing current turnover thresholds would help prevent market concentration that risks undermining effective markets.
In its response to reports by the Productivity Commission, the authority said it broadly supports the recommendations set out in Good Opportunities for Increased Prosperity and More Opportunities for Increased Prosperity, while highlighting several areas of particular importance.
A key proposal backed by the authority is the removal of the current requirement that at least one party must have an annual turnover of SEK 1 billion (approximately $110 million) before a transaction can be subject to merger review. According to the authority, the existing threshold has allowed acquisitions in smaller markets to proceed without scrutiny, contributing to near-monopolisation in certain sectors.
The authority said abolishing the turnover requirement would make it possible to intervene against transactions that risk significantly restricting the existence or development of effective market rivalry.
Housing and Choice Systems
The authority also agreed with the Productivity Commission’s assessment that Sweden’s rental housing market is functioning poorly. It said the current rent-setting model contributes to economic inefficiency and reduced dynamism, though it cautioned that the proposed reforms in this area require further analysis.
On the Law on Systems of Choice (LOV), the Productivity Commission has raised the possibility of repealing the legislation if it cannot be revised to introduce gatekeeping mechanisms that prevent criminal and unsuitable operators from accessing public funding. The authority said revising the law would be a more appropriate response, pointing to proposals it presented in December 2025 aimed at significantly limiting access for such actors.
State Aid and Energy Policy
The authority supported a continued restrictive approach to state aid and subsidies, warning that targeted support for individual companies or technologies carries risks. It said government interventions to address market failures should be neutral and designed to harness the benefits of rivalry.
In the energy sector, the authority argued that market-based measures should be prioritised to ensure an efficient electricity supply. While acknowledging the role of state support in meeting energy policy objectives, it cautioned that large-scale state-backed nuclear power support could hamper ongoing market and technological development.
Capital Markets Integration
Finally, the authority endorsed proposals for greater integration of European capital markets, noting that this would expand business opportunities for Swedish fintech firms and facilitate consolidation. Consumers and companies would also benefit from a wider range of services and more effective rivalry, the authority said.
