Rules and laws in Sweden (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
Every topic we cover for Sweden. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Driving after drugs
Driving after taking a narcotic is an offence if any narcotic substance remains in the blood, with no numerical limit. Narcotics taken as prescribed are excepted. The penalty is a fine or up to 6 months in prison, or up to 2 years for a gross offence.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
A pedal-assisted bicycle whose motor assists only up to 25 km/h and has a continuous rated power of at most 250 W counts as a bicycle. Children under 15 must wear a helmet when cycling. Vehicles that go beyond that limit are probably mopeds and were not verified here.
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E-scooters
An electric kick scooter limited to 20 km/h and 250 W continuous rated power counts as a bicycle and follows the bicycle rules. Riders under 15 must wear a helmet, and no passengers are allowed. Minimum age, insurance and any registration were not stated on the page read.
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Foreign driving licences
A valid licence from an EEA country is valid in Sweden, also for residents, until exchanged. A licence from outside the EEA is valid for up to one year of residence, except licences from the United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands. Only licences from the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Switzerland and Japan can be exchanged.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
A Swedish category B licence is issued from age 18. Practice driving with a car is allowed from 16 with a learner permit and an approved supervisor aged at least 24. The page on foreign licences says Swedish age rules apply to them too.
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Mopeds
A moped klass I (designed for up to 45 km/h) needs an AM licence from age 15, a helmet, registration with a plate and traffic insurance. A separate class, moped klass II, is limited to 25 km/h and follows other rules.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Everyone riding on a motorcycle must wear a protective helmet, and lights must be on when riding. Minimum ages are 16 (A1), 18 (A2) and 24 for category A, or 20 after two years on A2.
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Road tolls and vignettes
Sweden has no motorway toll or vignette for cars. Congestion tax is charged in central Stockholm and Gothenburg, and bridge charges on Sundsvallsbron, Motalabron and Skurubron. Charges are recorded by camera and invoiced monthly to the vehicle owner.
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Seat belts and child seats
Everyone must use a seat belt where the vehicle has belts. Children shorter than 135 cm must use a child seat, booster cushion or other protective device.
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Towing trailers and caravans
With a category B licence a trailer up to 750 kg is allowed, and a heavier trailer if the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg. B96 allows up to 4,250 kg for the combination, and BE a trailer of up to 3,500 kg. The speed limit is 80 km/h with a braked trailer in most cases.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to flights departing from Sweden, with compensation of EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance. The national enforcement body is Konsumentverket (the Swedish Consumer Agency).
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
From other EU countries, Swedish Customs takes into account quantities of 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine (60 of them sparkling) and 110 litres of beer for personal use. From outside the EU, 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer are duty-free for travellers who meet the age and time-abroad conditions.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
The EHIC gives access to medically necessary care at public healthcare facilities in Sweden on the same terms as residents. It does not cover private care in general, repatriation or planned treatment.
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Meat and dairy imports
Food for personal use may be brought from other EU countries without restriction. Meat and dairy products are not allowed from countries outside the EU, including the United Kingdom, except from a few listed countries. Small amounts of infant milk and fish products are allowed.
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Minors travelling: documents
Children need their own travel document outside the Schengen area, and a valid passport or ID card is recommended inside it. The police recommend a certificate from the guardians when not all guardians travel, but have no standard form.
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Rail passenger rights
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies, but domestic urban, suburban and regional services under 150 km are exempt from its refund and compensation articles. For other services the figures are 25 % from 60 minutes and 50 % from 120 minutes.
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Short stays (90/180-day rule)
Sweden applies the Schengen short-stay rules of up to 90 days within 180 days. Visitors from visa-exempt countries need a passport valid for three months after leaving, a return ticket, proof of accommodation and funds. Non-EU nationals on short stays are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
Visitors who live outside the EU can reclaim Swedish VAT on goods worth at least SEK 200 including VAT that they take out of the EU by the end of the third month after the month of purchase. A tax free partner or Tullverket stamps the receipt before departure, and the tax free partner handles the refund.
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Travelling with pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel. Entry from outside the EU needs an animal health certificate and, from most countries, a rabies antibody titration test. No more than 5 animals may travel together.
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Living
Dual nationality
Sweden allows dual and multiple nationality. Naturalisation does not require giving up the previous nationality, and a Swedish citizen who acquires another nationality can keep Swedish citizenship.
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Home education
Children resident in Sweden must attend school. Home education is only possible if the home municipality allows another way of fulfilling the school duty, which requires exceptional reasons and is granted for up to a year at a time.
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Maximum working time
Ordinary working time is at most 40 hours a week, and total working time may average 48 hours a week over up to four months. Employees need 11 hours of daily rest and 36 hours of weekly rest.
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Naturalisation by residence
Since 6 June 2026 the main rule is eight years of residence in Sweden. Adults aged 16 to 66 must show knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society, and applicants must meet an income requirement. Sweden allows dual citizenship.
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Smoke alarms in homes
Smoke alarms have been required in newly built dwellings since 1999. For older dwellings the national advice is that every home should have one, with the owner installing it and the occupier looking after it unless agreed otherwise.
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State pension age
Sweden has a guide age (riktålder) for the public pension: 66 for people born in 1958 and 1959 and 67 for those born in 1960 to 1965. Income and premium pension can be taken from three years before it. Ages for later cohorts are forecasts.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Sweden treats cannabis as a narcotic: possession and use are criminal offences, with a fine or up to six months in prison for minor cases. Selling is prohibited. Other points are still being checked.
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Drinking age and alcohol sales
Alcohol may not be sold to anyone under 20, except folköl (up to 3.5% alcohol), which has an age limit of 18. Serving in licensed premises is allowed from 18. Retail sale of spirits, wine and strong beer is limited to the state-owned retail company.
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Drones
Operators must register with Transportstyrelsen if the drone weighs 250 g or more or has a camera or sensor. A drone licence is required from 250 g, with a height limit of 120 m in the open category. Insurance is not required for leisure use of drones under 20 kg.
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Fireworks
Outdoor fireworks may be bought and used only from 18, and indoor (category F1) fireworks from 12. Firecrackers and stick rockets need a permit and special training. A police permit may be needed at a particular place, and municipalities can set their own rules.
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Knives and pepper spray
Swedish law bans holding knives and other stabbing or cutting weapons in public places, school areas and vehicles in public places, unless holding is justified. Spring knives may not be held by under-21s. Pepper spray is covered by the Weapons Act and needs a police permit.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
The minimum age is 18 for tobacco, e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine products such as pouches. Smoking, including vaping, is banned in restaurants, public premises and domestic public transport.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.