Villkor

Villkor is a Swedish noun meaning condition, stipulation or term. The word is used in everyday language as well as in law to describe requirements that must be met for something to hold, or to define the terms governing a transaction, relationship, or process. In Norwegian and Danish, cognate forms such as vilkår are used with a similar meaning.

In legal and commercial contexts, villkor refers to clauses or provisions attached to an agreement, contract or decision. They can set conditions for validity, performance, or the exercise of rights. Common examples include betalningsvillkor (payment terms), leveransvillkor (delivery terms) and användarvillkor (terms of use). A villkor may be a condition precedent, which must be fulfilled before a contract becomes effective, or a condition subsequent, which can affect ongoing rights if it is not satisfied.

The enforceability and interpretation of villkor depend on the applicable jurisdiction and the specific contract. In Sweden, contract law and consumer protection rules govern how villkor are drafted, presented, and enforced, with emphasis on clarity, fairness, and the prohibition of unfair terms. Courts and regulators may scrutinize the conspicuousness and reasonableness of important villkor, particularly in consumer agreements.

Outside formal law, villkor also describe general conditions for eligibility or access, such as villkor for lån (loan conditions) or försäkringsvillkor (insurance terms). The term is often paired with discussions of rights and obligations, clarifying what is required of each party and what consequences follow if the conditions are not met.