Knives and pepper spray in Sweden (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: 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.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | Knives, other stabbing and cutting weapons and other objects suited as weapons in offences against life or health may not be held in a public place, in a school area or in a vehicle in a public place. The law does not distinguish folding knives. Holding is allowed if the item is part of equipment for a service or assignment, or if holding is justified (befogat) by the nature of the item, the holder's need and the circumstances. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | The law applies to knives in general and names no locking or one-handed-opening criterion, so such a knife is covered by the same ban on holding it in public unless holding is justified. Knives with a blade that can be quickly folded or pushed out of the handle (springknivar) may not be held by anyone under 21. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | Fixed-blade knives are covered by the same ban on holding knives and other stabbing and cutting weapons in a public place, school area or vehicle in a public place, unless holding is justified (befogat). [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | Tear gas, pepper spray and similar products are covered by the Weapons Act. A police permit is needed to hold them and an import permit to bring them into Sweden. Permits are granted very restrictively. Some self-defence sprays are covered by the Weapons Act and others are not; the buyer is responsible for knowing which. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | Holding is allowed where the item belongs to equipment for a service or assignment or is otherwise justified (befogat). Police examples: table knives and carving knives for a picnic, a small sheath knife on an outing with grilling, a craftsman's work knife, a mushroom picker's suitable knife, and travel to or from such a setting. This does not normally extend to entertainment or sports events or places where many people gather. [2] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | Spring-out or spring knives (springknivar) and spring stilettos may not be held by anyone under 21, and may not be handed over to people under 21 or offered for sale. Butterfly knives, stilettos, sabres, swords, throwing stars and knuckledusters are listed by the police as examples of dangerous objects. [1] |
Notes
- The law is Lag (1988:254), amended to SFS 2026:413. Offences carry a fine or up to one year in prison. Section 3 says that items covered by the Weapons Act (2026:408) are governed by that act instead.
- The police page (reviewed 3 June 2026) refers to 'vapenlagen'. A new Weapons Act (2026:408) is listed on the Riksdag site; it equates tear gas weapons and tear gas devices with firearms. Its commencement dates were not checked in detail.
- Travel on public transport is allowed if the journey is a natural way to get to or from a setting where use of that knife is justified.
- Importing dangerous objects into Sweden requires a permit from the police (not for sabres and swords), and permits are limited to collections or similar purposes.
Sources
- Sveriges riksdag: Lag (1988:254) om förbud beträffande knivar och andra farliga föremål (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Polismyndigheten: Knivar och andra farliga föremål (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.