Orientation briefing: Sweden

Orientation briefing: Sweden1 / 15

Overview

Alert levelNo general travel restrictionOfficial advice updated on 11 August 2026 (FCDO)

4open jobs

1organisations hiring

1violent events in 3 months

1deaths (estimate)

Region: Europe

To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.

The country in its region

Orientation briefing: Sweden2 / 15

Socio-political and economic situation

History and context

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden maintained a policy of military non-alignment until it applied to join NATO in 2022. Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. Stockholm preserved an armed neutrality in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. The share of Sweden’s population born abroad increased from 11.3% in 2000 to 20% in 2022.

Political system

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Political situation

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

Orientation briefing: Sweden3 / 15

Ethnic groups, languages, religions

Ethnic groups

Swedish 79.6%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.3%, other 15.8% (2022 est.)

Languages

Swedish (official)

Religions

Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 53.9%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 37.2% (2021 est.)

Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).

Orientation briefing: Sweden4 / 15

Economy and society

Economic overview

high-income, largest Nordic economy; EU member but does not use the euro; export-oriented, led by automotive, electronics, machinery, and pharmaceuticals; highly ranked for competitiveness, R&D investments and governance; recovery, with falling inflation and real wage growth balanced by risks from trade uncertainty

10.6 MPopulation2025

89.1 %Urban population2025

$63,133GDP per capita2025

1.5 %GDP growth2025

0.7 %Inflation2025

0.8 %Extreme poverty (international line)2023

8.7 %Unemployment2025

95.8 %Internet users2025

100 %Access to electricity2024

Refugees and displaced people

144,116refugees hosted2025

4,661asylum seekers2025

323refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025

5,838stateless people2025

Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.

Orientation briefing: Sweden5 / 15

Arms bearers

Armed and security forces

Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten): Army, Navy, Air Force, Home Guard (202)

Designated terrorist groups

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.

Orientation briefing: Sweden6 / 15

Warnings and insurance

UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.

Before you travel

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

see general advice for women travellers
read our guide on disability and travel abroad
see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
read about safety 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

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.

Get travel advice updates

Follow FCDO:  

Orientation briefing: Sweden7 / 15

Recent security

Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.

The darker the region, the more events it saw.

Clashes between armed groups · 1

By month: July 1 · August 0 · September 0

Region	Events	Deaths	Civilians	Trend
Skåne län	1	1	0	new

Orientation briefing: Sweden8 / 15

Safety and security

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.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe 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

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks 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

Paying for sex is illegal, from 1 July 2025 this will also include the purchase of sexual acts online

Physical punishment of children is illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited, even in small quantities. Severe penalties apply for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports. You should expect long jail sentences of up to 10 years and heavy fines.

Airports in Sweden have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

LGBT+ travellers

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

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Sweden, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Sweden guide. 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.

If you are visiting Sweden, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.

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. See Arctic travel safety advice.

Orientation briefing: Sweden9 / 15

Health

Health indicators

84.1yearsLife expectancy2024

2.4per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024

4per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023

4.41per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2021

99.8 %Basic drinking water access2024

Health risks and precautions (official advice)

Before you travel check that:

your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
you have appropriate travel insurance for 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 vaccine recommendations for Sweden
see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Sweden, including:

biting insects and ticks
mpox – also see Sweden’s Public Health Authority website 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.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Sweden

FCDO has a list of medical 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).

The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage 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 also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Sweden.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

Orientation briefing: Sweden10 / 15

Entry and visas

Your nationality

For other nationalities:

Visa-free (68): Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela
Visa to apply for at the embassy before travel (103): Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)

Work visa and humanitarian permit

A tourist visa does not allow you to work: your organisation usually applies for a work or mission visa, with an invitation letter and the NGO's registration with the authorities.
It often takes several weeks: have a passport valid for at least 6 months, photos, diplomas, contract and international vaccination certificate ready.
United Nations staff travel on the laissez-passer with an official visa requested by the agency.

Detailed entry requirements (FCDO, for British travellers)

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 the Swedish Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Sweden follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:

have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area
have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew 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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

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.

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 the Swedish Embassy in the UK.

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 entry processes 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.

New Schengen entry requirements

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area. 

This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration. 

On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken. 

You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.

EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.

If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK. 

Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.

If you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.

If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.

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 TravelHealthPro’s Sweden guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into and out of Sweden. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into Sweden

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.

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.

Orientation briefing: Sweden11 / 15

Humanitarian coordination

Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.

Global directory of NGO forums (ICVA)

Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.

Orientation briefing: Sweden12 / 15

Humanitarians on the ground

Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:

UNICEF · 4

See jobs in Sweden Tenders ↗Train in field security

Orientation briefing: Sweden13 / 15