Passport / ID Sweden is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can enter with a valid national ID card. Other nationals require a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure.

Visa Schengen visa required for many non-EU nationals. Check Swedish Migration Agency for details.

• Additional: International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended if you plan to drive.
• Digital copies: Keep scans of passport and visa in your email/cloud.

Official sources: Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Migration Agency.

Mandatory No mandatory vaccinations for entry.

Recommended Routine vaccines: MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is recommended if you plan to spend time in forests or rural areas (especially in southern and central Sweden).

• Travel health insurance is highly recommended. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state medical care (co-payments apply).
• Medical care is excellent, with well-equipped hospitals and clinics throughout the country. 1177 Vårdguiden (healthcare guide).

Links: WHO · CDC Sweden.

Current situation Sweden is generally very safe. Check U.S. State Department or UK FCDO for updates (usually no warnings).

• Crime: Low violent crime. Petty theft (pickpocketing) can occur in tourist areas and on public transport.
• Emergency plan: Save local emergency numbers and embassy contacts.

Official advisories: Ireland · Australia.

• European emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire)
• Police (non-emergency): 114 14
• Medical advice: 1177 (healthcare guide)
• Poison Information Centre: 010-456 67 00
• Breakdown assistance: Motormännen · Falck

Ministry of Justice: regeringen.se.

US Embassy in Stockholm: Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31 · se.usembassy.gov · +46 (0)8 783 5300

UK Embassy Stockholm: Skarpövägen 6-8 · gov.uk/.../british-embassy-stockholm · +46 (0)8 671 3000

German Embassy Stockholm: Skarpövägen 9 · stockholm.diplo.de · +46 (0)8 670 1500

French Embassy Stockholm: Kommendörsgatan 13 · se.ambafrance.org · +46 (0)8 459 5300

🔍 Full list of embassies and consulates in Sweden

Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with a rich Viking history, a constitutional monarchy, and a world-renowned welfare state. It is known for its innovation, design, and commitment to sustainability.

• Political system: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
• Main income: Services, manufacturing (automotive, telecom), forestry, and mining.
• Nature: Vast forests, 100,000+ lakes, archipelagos, and the northern lights in Lapland.

Swedish society values equality, consensus, and a strong connection to nature. Official Tourism Website · Sweden.se.

Climate Temperate with cold winters and mild summers. The south is milder; the north has subarctic conditions.

• Winter (Dec–Mar): -5°C to -15°C (colder in the north). Pack warm layers, down jacket, hat, gloves, and waterproof boots.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): 15°C to 25°C (sometimes 30°C). Light clothing, but bring a rain jacket.
• Midnight sun: Above the Arctic Circle (May–July) – 24-hour daylight. Polar night (Nov–Jan) – darkness.
• Clothing: Layers are essential. In churches and restaurants, smart casual is appropriate.

SMHI weather forecast.

Official Swedish. English is very widely spoken (almost fluent).

• Useful phrases: Hej (hello), Tack (thanks), Ursäkta (excuse me), Snälla (please), Pratar du engelska? (do you speak English?)
• Mentality: Reserved but friendly. Punctuality and personal space are important.
• Religion: Lutheran Christianity (Church of Sweden) – but society is largely secular.
• Internet/Wi-Fi: Excellent coverage; free Wi-Fi in most cafes, hotels, and public spaces. Local SIM: Telia, Telenor, Tele2.

Voltage 230 V · Frequency 50 Hz

Plug types C (Europlug) and F (Schuko). German/Swiss/Austrian plugs fit without adapter.

• Adapter needed? No, for most European devices (Type C/F).
• Converter? Not needed for 230 V devices. For 110 V devices (US, Japan), a step-down converter is required.

Currency Swedish Krona (SEK, kr). Current exchange rate.

• Cash: Sweden is one of the most cashless countries. Cards are accepted virtually everywhere. Some places (buses, small shops) are card-only.
• Cards: Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted; American Express less common.
• ATMs: Readily available. However, many branches are cashless.
• Price level: High (similar to other Nordic countries).
• Tipping: Not expected; service charge is usually included. Rounding up is appreciated.

Airports Stockholm: Arlanda (ARN) (main), Bromma (BMA), Skavsta (NYO) (low-cost). Also Gothenburg (GOT), Malmö (MMX), and Luleå (LLA).

• Rail: SJ (Swedish Railways) – extensive network, high-speed trains.
• Public transport: SL (Stockholm metro/bus), Västtrafik (Gothenburg), Skånetrafiken (south).
• Taxis: Use official apps: Uber, Taxi Stockholm.
• Ferries: Stockholm archipelago ferries.

SJ · Flygbussarna (airport buses).

Hotel types Luxury (Grand Hôtel), boutique, mid-range (Scandic, Clarion), budget (Hostels, STF).

• Hostels: STF (Swedish Tourist Association) hostels – excellent quality.
• Apartments: Booking.com, Airbnb, and local sites.
• Safety: Very safe; standard precautions.
• Opening hours: Shops 10:00–19:00 (weekdays), shorter on weekends. Systembolaget (alcohol monopoly) limited hours.
• Allemansrätten: "Every man's right" – freedom to roam in nature (with respect).

Must-try dishes Swedish meatballs (with lingonberries), Gravlax (cured salmon), Smörgås (open-faced sandwich), Kräftor (crayfish, in August), Semla (cream bun), and Surströmming (fermented herring – for the adventurous).

• Drinks: Coffee (fika culture), snaps (aquavit), Swedish cider, and seasonal glögg (mulled wine) at Christmas.
• Street food: Hot dogs (with mashed potatoes), tunnbrödsrulle (flatbread wrap).
• Tap water: Excellent quality – drink from the tap.
• Hygiene: Very high standards.

Time zone UTC+1 (CET) · UTC+2 during summer (CEST).

• Public holidays 2026: 1 Jan (New Year), 6 Jan (Epiphany), 3 Apr (Good Friday), 5 Apr (Easter Sunday), 6 Apr (Easter Monday), 1 May (Labour Day), 14 May (Ascension Day), 24 May (Pentecost), 6 Jun (National Day), 25 Jun (Midsummer Eve), 26 Jun (Midsummer Day), 31 Oct (All Saints' Eve), 24 Dec (Christmas Eve), 25 Dec (Christmas Day), 26 Dec (Boxing Day), 31 Dec (New Year's Eve).
• Closing days: Most shops closed on public holidays; Midsummer and Christmas are especially quiet.

Event calendar.

Cities & places Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, Kiruna (Lapland), Visby (Gotland).

• Cultural: Vasa Museum, Skansen, ABBA Museum, Stockholm Palace, Moderna Museet.
• History: Gamla Stan (Old Town), Drottningholm Palace, Visby's medieval walls.
• Nature: Stockholm Archipelago, Icehotel (Jukkasjärvi), Abisko National Park, Höga Kusten (High Coast).
• Excursions: Boat tours in the archipelago, Northern Lights safari, dog sledding in Lapland.

Official tourism · Vasa Museum.

Nightlife Vibrant in Stockholm and Gothenburg: bars, clubs, live music, and craft beer pubs.

• Clubs: Stureplan (Stockholm), Avenyn (Gothenburg).
• Festivals: Midsummer (June), Stockholm Pride (July/Aug), Way Out West (Gothenburg, Aug), Stockholm Culture Festival (Aug).
• Classical: Royal Opera, Stockholm Concert Hall.

Stockholm events.

• Official Tourism Website Sweden
• Sweden.se – official site
• Government of Sweden
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• SVT (Swedish TV) · Dagens Nyheter (news)
• Google Maps — Sweden
• YouTube — Sweden travel & documentaries
• Google News — Sweden