Emergency preparedness

Together, the Nordic countries have stronger capability to ensure access to essential goods and services in peacetime crises, security-related crisis situations and, ultimately, war. On 24 June, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin met with representatives of several Nordic countries.

Sweden has signed a memorandum of understanding on protecting the civilian population of the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries, together with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Poland.

Sweden has signed a memorandum of understanding on protecting the civilian population of the Baltic Sea region and the Nordic countries, together with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Poland. This enables the temporary movement of people across borders in the event of crisis or, in the worst-case scenario, war.

Cyber attacks are one of the tactics used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Sweden and Ukraine have now reached an agreement aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s resilience to cyber attacks, which also enhances Sweden’s capability to cope with sophisticated cyber threats.

Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 11 January 2026. Check against delivery.

In a rapidly evolving security landscape marked by hybrid threats and geopolitical instability, civil preparedness and societal resilience have become strategic priorities for Europe. To strengthen cooperation and ensure preparedness for all security threats, including armed aggression, ministers responsible for civil preparedness and resilience from several EU member states convened for the second meeting of the European Coalition for Civil Preparedness and Resilience.

On 20–22 October, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will visit Tokyo, Japan. He will hold bilateral meetings to learn from Tokyo’s experience of preparing for and managing major crises such as earthquakes, and take part in a conference on international support for mine action projects in Ukraine.

On 1–2 October, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will observe the Rescue Borealis international rescue exercise 2025 taking place in Oulu, Finland. The exercise was initiated against the backdrop of the worsening security situation and is aimed at enhancing cross-border cooperation in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.

On 12 June 2025, Sweden and Denmark signed a letter of intent on enhanced cooperation on civil preparedness and resilience.

On 19 February 2025, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin received Poland’s Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak for bilateral talks. The two ministers signed a Letter of Intent to work further on the strategic partnership agreement between Sweden and Poland.  

On 19 February 2025, a Letter of Intent was signed between Sweden and Poland to work further on the strategic partnership agreement between Sweden and Poland.

Defence and security are becoming increasingly important in Swedish space policy. Sweden will therefore pursue a cohesive and knowledge-based space policy that contributes to the development of our crisis preparedness and total defence. With this strategy, we are strengthening the defence and security dimension of space policy to make Sweden better equipped to face challenges in space and more capable of utilising space for defence and security.

Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Försvar Annual National Conference in Sälen on 13 January 2025. Check against delivery.

On 6 September, the Regional Civil Protection Forum was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. A joint statement was issued in conjunction with the forum. Sweden was represented by Johan Berggren, State Secretary to Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

On 4 July, the Government adopted Sweden’s first defence and security space strategy − The role of space in a new security environment.

On 17–22 March, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin will travel to South Korea and Singapore. The programme includes bilateral meetings focusing on total defence and cybersecurity, and Mr Bohlin will also represent Sweden at the Summit for Democracy in South Korea.

The Government has decided to reintroduce border control at Sweden’s internal borders from 12 November 2023 to 11 May 2024. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is a serious threat to public order and internal security.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

In light of the serious security environment, the Government has proposed a number of investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the Budget Bill for 2024 and the autumn amending budget for 2023.

The Swedish Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level from level 3 (‘elevated’) to level 4 (‘high’) on a 5-level scale. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is working intensively and constantly to take the necessary measures.