Can I keep my US brokerage account after moving back to Sweden?
Short answer: Some US brokers restrict or close accounts once you have a Swedish address, and EU PRIIPs rules usually stop EU residents from buying US-domiciled ETFs. Existing holdings can often be kept or sold, but new purchases may be blocked. Many returning Swedes move to a broker that serves EU residents and rebuild the long-term portfolio inside an ISK.
Written and reviewed by Anthony Walsh, Selanis. Last reviewed 2026-10-06.
Why it works this way
US brokers are not licensed in every EU country, and many choose to limit service for non-US residents. Policies differ and change, so the only reliable answer is your broker's current written policy.
PRIIPs regulation requires a key information document that US fund issuers do not produce, which is why EU-resident investors usually cannot buy US ETFs even through EU brokers.
A Swedish ISK held at a Swedish bank or broker solves both problems for new money: it accepts residents, offers EU-domiciled funds, and replaces capital gains tax with an annual standard-return tax.
The expensive mistake: Updating your address and getting locked out
Changing your address to Sweden before deciding what to do can freeze trading. Decide first, then update.
What to do
- Ask your broker for its policy in writing — Confirm what happens to accounts of Swedish residents.
- Decide sell, hold or transfer — Weigh US tax on selling now against Swedish tax later.
- Set up an ISK — Use it for new investments once you are resident.