Seat belts and child seats in Sweden (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: 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.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Children shorter than 135 cm must use a child seat, booster cushion or other special protective device for children, instead of or together with the seat belt. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | A child aged 3 or older and shorter than 135 cm may travel without a child restraint only on temporary short journeys, and then must use the seat belt if possible and must not sit in the front seat of a passenger car or light lorry. A child under 3 may travel without a child restraint only in a taxi on a short journey, and then must not sit in the front seat. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The Ordinance sets the 135 cm height limit only; no age limit is stated.
- Transportstyrelsen advises that a child in a child restraint should never sit on a seat with an active airbag, and that this is safe only from 140 cm. The Traffic Ordinance text read states no such prohibition, so the rule is not confirmed.
Sources
- Sveriges riksdag (Svensk författningssamling): Trafikförordning (1998:1276) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.