Sweden

Swedish authorities assess that Sweden is a prioritised target for terrorist attacks, with threats by violent Islamist groups increasing in the past year. Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Sweden. 

Sweden's deterioration in the security situation has led the Swedish Government to raise the threat from 'elevated threat' to 'high threat', equivalent to a threat level of 4 out of 5, meaning the probability of an attack is high. This is a long-term assessment of Sweden's deteriorated security situation, not a temporary increase. 

Terrorist attacks can occur at any time. Maintain high vigilance in public spaces and take official warnings seriously. Avoid crowds, be aware of your surroundings, and stay informed. 

Gathering sites, such as places of worship, could be targeted. Use caution when in and around any diplomatic facilities. Report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

​In recent years terrorists have attacked some European cities. Targets have included:

• Airports 
• public transport and transport hubs
• places of worship
• sporting venues
• restaurants, bars and clubs
• shopping centres
• hotels
• other sites frequented by tourists

European security services have also stopped several planned attacks.

Areas attracting large groups of people are also targets. These include places popular with foreigners, such as Christmas markets. 

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• avoid places that could be terrorist targets
• consider the level of security around you
• avoid visiting at peak times
• have a clear exit plan if there's a security incident
• report any suspicious actions or items to the police
• monitor the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

More information:

• Terrorism
• Swedish Police
• Emergency Information

Demonstrations and protests

Protests or demonstrations can occur.

Monitor the media and other sources for possible unrest.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself in periods of unrest:

• avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Violent and other serious crimes are rare. However, gang and organised crime do occur, mainly in the three largest cities:

• Stockholm
• Gothenburg
• Malmö

While violent incidents are rare in tourist locations, you should still be cautious. Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. In Gothenburg and Malmö, gang-related violence does occur more frequently in the city centre, especially at night. 

Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common and on the rise in Stockholm. 

Criminals may work in teams. One distracts the victim while the other carries out the theft.

Take care in hotels and restaurants. Thieves steal bags and purses when you're distracted. 

More information

• theft and robbery

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Winter can be extremely cold, depending on where you are. There's heavy snowfall, including in major cities. There can also be severe transport delays and temporary closures of public facilities, including roads, train and air services.

Sweden experiences severe weather, including:

• rockslides
• floods
• forest fires
• storms

If conditions are extreme or there's a natural disaster:

• check the media, emergency information from Swedish authorities and other local sources for updates
• follow the advice of local authorities

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

More information:

• Floods and fires

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)
• COVID-19 (Department of Health and Aged Care)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Check the status of your medicine with the Swedish Medical Products Agency.

You can bring a 3 month supply of medicine for personal use into Sweden.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

Health risks in Sweden are similar to those in Australia.

Insect-borne diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are risks. Ticks are very common in country areas, especially in some coastal regions and around major lakes. They're active from March to November.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• always use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

To reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:

• check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests 
• remove ticks as soon as possible, making sure to remove the whole tick
• monitor the tick bite for any signs of infection

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Swedish medical facilities have standards similar to Australia.

Emergency services are limited in remote areas.

The main hospitals are located in the Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö regions. English is widely spoken.

Australia has a healthcare agreement with Sweden. It's called the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). If you're in Sweden for less than 90 days, you can access emergency medical services for free.

It doesn't give you the same coverage as Medicare in Australia. It doesn’t cover the following:

• ongoing treatment of pre-existing health conditions
• medical evacuation
• prescription medicines
• elective surgery

Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

To get emergency treatment, you need to present an Australian passport and a valid Medicare card. You may also need to refer to the RHCA.

If you can't show your passport and Medicare card, you may need to pay the same costs that apply to non-residents.

The RHCA does not replace the need for private travel health insurance.

More information:

• Medicare Australia

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter, but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Children

You can't use physical punishment against children in Sweden. It's illegal. This includes threatening a child with physical punishment.

If you use or threaten physical punishment against your child, local authorities can take custody of your child and prosecute you.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences, even for small amounts, include heavy fines and jail.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs
• Partying safely

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Sweden recognises dual nationality.

The Swedish Government has reinstated compulsory military service for citizens who are 18 years of age, starting  with those born between 1999 and 2000.

If you're a dual Australian-Swedish national, check your military service obligations with the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Visas

Sweden is part of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen area and has abolished passport and border controls within the Schengen area.

When you first enter the Schengen area, get an entry stamp in your passport from border control.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy of Sweden for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border measures

Check with Swedish authorities for the latest advice. 

More information:

• Travel to Sweden (Swedish Police)
• Swedish Migration Agency
• Arlanda Airport departures 
• Swedish Police 

Carry a valid passport to enter or leave Sweden. Do this even if you're travelling from another Schengen country.

Always carry your passport. If you have one, carry your Swedish residency permit. Authorities may ask for proof of identity.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• LGBTI travellers 

Sweden's official currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK).

Declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Sweden and any non-European Union (EU) country. This includes all forms of currency, not just cash.

If you don't declare it or you give wrong information on entry or exit, you'll be fined.

You don't need to declare currency if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Road travel

Sweden's roads are usually in very good condition.

Roads can be dangerous in winter due to ice. Long periods of darkness can make it hard to see. Every year approximately 60,000 wildlife road accidents are reported in Sweden.

Get details on road conditions from the Swedish Transport Administration (Swedish).

Vehicle headlights must always be on.

Winter tyres must be fitted:

• from 1 December or when it first snows
• until 31 March or later if roads are still icy

The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.02%. Penalties for drink driving are severe and can lead to a prison sentence. Note that the police may give you a fine even if the alcohol limit in your blood is lower than 0.02% depending on your capability to control your vehicle.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike or quad bike.

Always wear a helmet.

Public transport

Public transport, including buses and trains, is generally reliable and safe.

Use officially marked taxis.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Sweden's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact:

Australian Embassy, Stockholm

Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: (+460) 8613 2900
Email: reception.stockholm@dfat.gov.au
Website: sweden.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Sweden Embassy Facebook
Twitter: @AusAmbSE

Check the Embassy website or its Facebook page for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia