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Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:Ìý

• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read aboutÌýsafety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice ÌýÌý

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Sweden set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact theÌý.

Passport validity requirements

Sweden follows . Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issueâ€� less than 10 years before the date you arrive â€� if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry dateâ€� at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.ÌýRenew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Sweden, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

The requirements for working in Sweden are different.

If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.

If you’re a visitor, border guards will look at your entry and exit stamps to check you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If your passport is missing a stamp, show evidence of when and where you entered or left the Schengen area (for example, boarding passes or tickets) and ask the border guards to add the date and location in your passport.

At Swedish border control, you may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking
• show proof of your travel insurance
• prove that you have enough money for your stay

Staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period

To stay longer, you must meet the Swedish government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with theÌý.

If you stay in Sweden with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

See passport stamping if you live in Sweden.

Border controls on arrival from Denmark and Germany

Border controls are in place in Sweden for people travelling from Denmark via the Öresund crossing and arriving on ferries from Denmark and Germany.

Travelling with children

Carry a letter of consent from the parent or guardian of children aged 17 and under who are travelling with you.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules

There are strict rules aboutÌý. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Sweden

You cannot take . There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.Ìý

Taking money into Sweden

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Many shops, cafes and restaurants do not accept cash, so make sure you have a debit or credit card with you.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Sweden

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals.

The authorities in Sweden have successfully disrupted a number of planned attacks and made a number of arrests.

Political demonstrations

Demonstrations in Sweden are usually peaceful. Avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Crime

Protecting your belongings

Take particular care of your belongings in major cities as pickpockets often target tourists for passports and cash.

Violent crime does occur. Gang-related crime, including knife crime, shootings and explosions, has been reported in Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Laws and cultural differences

There are heavy punishments for importing illegal drugs. There is zero tolerance towards drugs; even petty drug use will lead to a penalty.

Paying for sex is illegal.

Physical punishment of children is illegal.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Sweden. Read moreÌýadvice for LGBT+ travellers.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Sweden, ²õ±ð±ðÌýinformation on driving abroadÌýand check theÌý. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.

You need a UK driving licence to drive in Sweden. Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience and a minimum age.

During winter, snow and ice on the roads cause accidents daily. From 1 December to 31 March, and any other times designated by the police, all vehicles must have winter tyres.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Arctic travel

Parts of Sweden are in the Arctic Circle, including some very remote areas of land. Emergency medical assistance and search and rescue are limited in these areas. SeeÌýArctic travel safety advice.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you haveÌýappropriate travel insuranceÌýfor local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

If you’re visiting remote areas, consider how easily you will be able to access emergency services.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the

See what , including:

• biting insects and ticks
• mpox â€� also see which includes updates on mpox

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

¸é±ð²¹»åÌý.

Healthcare in Sweden

FCDOÌýhas a list ofÌýmedical providers in Sweden where some staff will speak English.

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Sweden, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).Ìý

The NHS’s has details about:

• how to apply for a GHIC
• how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
• who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
• what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings
• additional standard costs for treatment
• medical repatriation to the UK
• treatment that is ruled non-urgent
• private healthcare
• private clinics

There is alsoÌýguidance on healthcare if you’re living in Sweden.

Travel and mental health

¸é±ð²¹»åÌýFCDOÌýguidance on travel and mental health. There is alsoÌý.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Sweden

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more aboutÌýchanging or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support fromÌýFCDO

FCDOÌýhas guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speakingÌý,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýÌýin Sweden
• dealing with aÌýdeath in Sweden
• ²ú±ð¾±²Ô²µÌýarrested or imprisoned in Sweden
• getting help if you’re aÌývictim of crime
• what to do if you’reÌýin hospital
• if you’reÌýaffected by a crisis,Ìýsuch as a terrorist attack

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Help abroad �

SeeÌýÌýincluding in an emergency.Ìý

Help in the UKÌýÌý

You can call�FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. �

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) �

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates �

Sign up to�get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. �

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Risk information for British companies

TheÌýOverseas Business Risk serviceÌýoffers information and advice for British companies operating in Sweden on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.