Sweden in the EU
Being a member of the EU means that Sweden has a direct influence on and is directly affected by EU decisions. The Government’s main role in the EU context is to represent Sweden in the European Council and in the Council of the European Union.
- Responsible ministers
- Stefan Löfven
- Hans Dahlgren
- Responsible ministries
- Prime Minister's Office
Sweden’s work in the European Council
The European Council determines the EU’s general political guidelines and priorities. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven represents Sweden in the European Council.
EU policy areas
The EU Member States work together in the Council of the European Union, also known as the Council. The work of the Council is divided into ten policy areas, each of which has its own configuration.
Brexit – the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU
This page contains more information on how the Government and the Government Offices are working in response to Brexit. It describes how Sweden is preparing for Brexit, including contingency planning for a no-deal withdrawal.
Projects and Strategies
Increased participation in the EU
The Swedish Government is working to strengthen participation, knowledge and engagement in EU-related issues in Sweden. In cooperation with relevant actors in society, the Government is creating better conditions for citizens to participate in EU affairs and influence decisions taken at EU level.
Europe 2020
The Europe 2020 Strategy is the EU common strategy for growth and jobs that has been in place since June 2010. The aim of the Europe 2020 strategy is to stimulate the economies of the Member States and so create increased growth and more jobs.
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
The aim of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is to meet the challenges common to the countries in the Baltic Sea Region today. The Strategy has three main objectives: saving the sea, connecting the region and increasing prosperity.
Content about Sweden in the EU
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Temporary ban on travel to the EU via Sweden due to COVID-19
In response to the European Council’s and the European Commission’s call for travel restrictions, the Government decided on 17 March to temporarily stop non-essential travel to Sweden from all countries except those in the EEA and Switzerland so as to mitigate the effects of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and reduce the spread of the disease.
· Press release from Ministry of Justice
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Civil society – an actor for democracy and poverty reduction
What is good support to civil society was the theme of a seminar hosted by the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU in Brussels on 4 March. Experiences, opportunities and new plans to support civil society were in focus. The seminar was the first in a series of three that the Permanent Representation is launching within the framework of the Government’s Drive for Democracy.
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Work in the areas of public health, medical care, social care and social insurance with regard to the COVID-19 virus
There is now an ongoing outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Swedish Government is following developments carefully and is in continuous contact with the responsible authorities. Below is a selection of the Government’s decisions and initiatives that have been taken so far in the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs’ areas.
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Questions and answers – temporary entry ban to the EU via Sweden
In response to the European Council’s and the European Commission’s call for travel restrictions, the Government decided on 17 March to temporarily stop non-essential travel to Sweden so as to mitigate the effects of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and reduce the spread of the disease.
· Article from Ministry of Justice
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Eva Nordmark takes part in EU meeting on measures for employment and businesses in light of COVID-19
Yesterday, Thursday 19 March, EU employment and social ministers took part in an informal video conference. The agenda included issues related to the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19.
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Sweden demands that the EU raise the bar ahead of Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
In a letter to the European Commission, Sweden and eleven other EU Member States call on the Commission to propose how the EU can show leadership in the climate transition and step up ambitions ahead of and during the UN Climate Change Conference at the end of the year.
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Government proposes legislative amendments to increase equal treatment of posted workers
The Government has decided to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation for Sweden to implement the EU’s revised Posting of Workers Directive. In its referral to the Council on Legislation, the Government proposes legislative amendments that will create more equal conditions for posted workers and domestic workers. The Government also proposes tighter regulations on the notification obligation in connection with the posting of workers and an extension of the right of access for regional safety representatives.
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No agreement on long-term budget at EU summit
Heads of state and government from the 27 EU Member States met in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to try to agree on the EU’s long-term budget for the period 2021 to 2027. The meeting ended without the EU leaders reaching an agreement.
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Summit on the EU’s long-term budget
On Thursday 20 February, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will be in Brussels to meet his colleagues in the European Council. They will try to agree on the EU’s long-term budget for 2021–2027.
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The 'frugal four' advocate a responsible EU budget
Opinion Piece by Sebastian Kurz, chancellor of Austria. Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands, Mette Frederiksen, prime minister of Denmark, and Stefan Löfven, prime minister of Sweden, co-wrote this article, which was published in Financial Times on 17 February 2020.
