Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| STIM | STIM | Composers, lyricists and publishers |
| SAMI | SAMI | Performing artists and musicians; recorded music |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Sweden
Music licence for a café, shop or restaurant in Sweden
In Sweden two separate licences are normally needed: STIM for composers, lyricists and publishers, and SAMI for the performers of recorded music.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
STIM sells music licences for restaurants and food service (Mini, Basic and Premium packages, with quizzes and live music priced separately) and for retail premises. SAMI licenses public performance of recorded music for performers. No joint STIM and SAMI company was found.
Workplaces not open to the public may need licences if they have 40 or more employees and at least 20 hear the music (Företagarna).
How the fee is worked out
STIM prices restaurants by number of seats and open days, and retail by sales area and business days per year. Single day background music costs SEK 0.70 per visitor per day, minimum SEK 260 (2025).
Example: STIM's annual fee for music on retail premises up to 100 m2, with at most 100 business days a year, is SEK 1,379 (2024). This is the STIM part only; SAMI is extra, and VAT is not stated.
Can I play Spotify or YouTube in my business?
Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers.
Music outside the collecting societies
STIM licenses on the basis of its members' mandates and agreements with foreign societies. Section 47 of the Copyright Act (1960:729) gives performers and producers a right to equitable remuneration for public performance of sound recordings; as generally described, the performers' claim can only be made through an organisation (SAMI or IFPI). This was not verified again for this guide.
Directly licensed music from non members can remove the need for STIM, but the remuneration for recordings may still be claimed for recordings covered by section 47. Penalties were not documented on the pages read.
Dr.DIO in Sweden
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
Dr.DIO works are not in STIM's repertoire, but the section 47 remuneration for recordings may still be claimed through SAMI, so whether a Swedish venue owes SAMI for Dr.DIO recordings is not settled. Ask SAMI in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate, before you decide.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
Official sources
- STIM: https://www.stim.se/
- SAMI: https://www.sami.se/
- STIM licence page: https://stim.se/en/customer/music-in-public-environments/restaurant-and-food-service
- STIM licence page: https://stim.se/en/about-us/terms-and-agreements/prices-and-terms-for-music-licenses/prices-and-special-terms-and-conditions-for-music-on-retail-premises
- STIM: https://www.stim.se/en/prices-and-special-terms-and-conditions-for-recorded-background-music-single-days
About this guide
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
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Questions
What does a music licence for a restaurant cost in Sweden?
STIM prices restaurants by seats and open days in its Mini, Basic and Premium packages; SAMI charges separately for recorded music.
Do I need STIM and SAMI for background music in a shop?
Normally yes, two separate licences: STIM for authors and SAMI for performers.
Do I need a licence to play music in a shop?
Yes for protected music. STIM's retail fee up to 100 m2 and 100 business days was SEK 1,379 a year in 2024.
How much does a STIM licence for a café cost?
It depends on seats and open days; see STIM's restaurant and food service packages.
Is it allowed to play Spotify in a shop?
No. Personal plans are for personal, noncommercial use.
Can I use music outside STIM?
Yes, with a direct licence, but the SAMI remuneration for recordings may still be claimed.