22.1 Licence to import or possess a weapon

A weapon licence is required to import and/or possess all kinds of weapons, including firearms, tear gas pistols or other tear gas or pepper spray devices and weapons kept exclusively on the premises of a mission. The licence holder must have the weapon licence with him/her when carrying the weapon in question.

Applications for a weapon licence must be submitted to the Police well in advance of the purchase or import of the weapon. The application form and more information about the application process can be found on the Swedish Police's website.

All weapons, including essential parts and ammunition, must be stored in secure cabinets tested and approved in accordance with the applicable Swedish standard.

All licence holders are obliged to observe Swedish laws and regulations concerning weapons. It is not allowed for the dispatch of weapons in, for example, a diplomatic bag.

If the licence holder intends to take a weapon with him/her when leaving Sweden, an application shall be submitted to the Police well in advance. That application form and more information about the application process can be found on the Swedish Police's website. The weapon must also be declared at the Swedish Customs upon export.

If the licence holder does not intend to take the weapon with him/her, the weapon shall be sold or transferred to a licenced weapons dealer or another person who is entitled to possess the weapon.

For further questions relating to weapons, please contact the Swedish Police.

Licence for hunting purposes or target practice

A licence for hunting can be issued if the applicant has passed a training course for huntsmen ‘jägarexamen’. Information on how to apply for a hunting permit can be found at the Swedish Hunters Association’s (Svenska Jägarförbundet) website.

Active membership in a shooting club and a certificate verifying that the applicant is experienced in the art of shooting are requirements for a licence for target practice.