Sweden in the EU

The Government has today decided to extend the temporary ban on entry to Sweden from countries within the EU/EEA due to the continued uncertainty concerning transmission of COVID-19. The Government has also adopted amendments to the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA concerning exemptions for people who live in or can present vaccination certificates issued in certain specified countries. These amendments are in line with the updated recommendations and decisions at EU level.

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 2021. The Swedish regulation has been adapted to the EU regulation on a COVID certificate since June/July. 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 January 2022 . 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 2021, 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. Since September 2021, people who can present a vaccine certificate issued in certain specific countries are also exempted from the entry ban and test requirement. The Government has decided to extend the travel ban until 31 January 2022.

On 15–16 November, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist took part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). The Ministers discussed EU training missions and met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a ministerial lunch. In a joint meeting with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs on 15 November the first draft of the EU Strategic Compass was discussed.

The Govern­ment today adopted amend­ments to the tempo­rary ban on entry into Sweden. The amend­ments primarily mean that additio­nal people who can present a vaccine certificate issued in Armenia are exempted from the entry ban and test require­ment.

(New version) The Government has decided on an amendment to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendment concerns an exemption for residents of a certain specified non-EU country and is in line with the Council of the European Union’s latest recommendation to EU Member States.

The Government today decided on continued border control at the internal border for six months. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is still a serious threat to public policy and internal security in Sweden.

The Government is extending the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside and within the EU/EEA, effective 31 October. The Government has also decided on changes to the effect that travellers who can present a vaccine certificate issued in the US, Guernsey, Isle of Man or Jersey are exempted from the entry ban and test requirement when entering Sweden.

On 21–22 October, Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist took part in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence in Brussels. Mr Hultqvist was invited to a special session on cooperation between NATO and the European Union.

As the EU heads of state and government meet in the European Council in Brussels, the agenda includes the COVID-19 vaccine situation and how the EU can advance digital transformation. The high energy prices in many Member States will also be discussed. At Sweden’s initiative, the leaders will hold a strategic discussion on trade issues.

The Government has decided on an amendment to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendment concerns an exemption for residents of a certain specified non-EU country and is in line with the Council of the European Union’s latest recommendation to EU Member States.

On-line event, 12 October 2021 Check against delivery.

The Government today adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The changes mean that travellers who can present a vaccine certificate issued in the UK will be exempt from the ban on entry to Sweden and the COVID-19 test requirement.

The Government today adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendments mean that the general exemption from the entry ban for people living in certain specified countries will be adapted to align with the latest recommendation from the Council of the European Union to the EU Member States.

The Government today adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendments primarily mean that additional people who can present a vaccine certificate issued in certain specific countries and territories are exempted from the entry ban and test requirement.

In response to the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, Sweden and others have signed a pledge for greater openness and transparency in the EU. All Member States, 37 MEPs, the European Commission and the European Ombudsman have signed the pledge, committing to work for greater transparency in the EU institutions.

In July 2020, EU heads of state and government agreed on a recovery package to mitigate the effects of the crisis. The package, called NextGenerationEU, comprises EUR 750 billion (2018 prices) in loans and grants to Member States. The main part of this will be channelled through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). On 28 May 2021, Sweden submitted its recovery plan to the EU.

The security policy situation in Europe and bilateral cooperation in the defence materiel area were some of the agenda items when Austrian Minister of Defence Klaudia Tanner visited Sweden on 20 September. Swedish Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist received Ms Tanner at Karlberg Palace.

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.

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