Sweden in the EU

The Government has adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendments primarily mean that people who can present a vaccine certificate issued in certain specific countries and territories are exempted from the entry ban. The decision also means that the ban will be reintroduced for entry from a number of countries in accordance with the Council of the European Union’s updated recommendations for travel to into EU Member States. Certain amendments have also been made to make the entry ban rules more uniform and to simplify the entry process for both travellers and border police.

The Government has decided on a ban on entry to Sweden to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 entering the country or being spread to other countries. A temporary entry ban for entry from EU/EEA States and certain other states has been in force since February. As of 30 June, the Swedish regulation has been adapted to the EU regulation on a COVID certificate. This entails an entry ban on travel to Sweden from EU/EEA States unless a vaccination certificate, a test certificate, a certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19 or a corresponding certificate can be presented. The Government has decided to extend this regulation until 31 October 2021. Entry from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway is not subject to any entry restrictions. A temporary ban on non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/EEA to Sweden, introduced following a call from the European Council and the European Commission, has been in effect since March 2020. Since February, the ban has included a requirement to present a certificate verifying a negative COVID-19 test result for entry into Sweden. To travel to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA, you must be covered by at least one of the exemptions from the entry ban and also be able to present a negative COVID-19 test or be exempt from the test requirement. The Government has decided to extend the travel ban until 31 October 2021.

Joint non-paper by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden (2021-04-28).

There are currently several cases before the European Court of Human Rights against the French law banning sexual purchases. This is due to the legislation the country introduced in 2016 which included a ban on the purchase of sexual services. Sweden has requested and been granted the right to take part in the cases as a third party.

The Government today adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendments concern the exemption for residents of certain designated non-EU countries and are in line with the Council of the European Union’s latest recommendation to EU Member States.

Sweden’s participation in international crisis management and peace support contributes to upholding and strengthening the rules-based global order and is a priority of Sweden’s national security strategy (SB2017/00106–1). The basic premise of Sweden’s engagement is that security is best built through collaboration and partnership with others.

The Government is extending the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside and within the EU/EEA. The main rule remains that travellers from countries in the EU/EEA – apart from the Nordic countries – cannot enter Sweden without presenting a vaccine certificate, a negative COVID-19 test result or a certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19. Travellers from countries outside the EU/EEA can only enter Sweden if they are covered by one of the exemptions from the entry ban and can also present a negative COVID-19 test result. The extended entry bans apply until 31 October 2021 or until further notice.

On Monday, Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren and Minister for Employment Eva Nordmark met with French Minister of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion Élisabeth Borne and French Minister of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune. The aim of the meeting was to discuss various current issues, with a focus on the EU minimum wage proposal.

The Government has today adopted an amendment to the temporary ban on entry from third countries that expands the possibilities for participants in international elite competitions to enter Sweden.