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 and the EU’s future relationship with the UK
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
Total 442 hits.
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Extension of temporary entry ban to the EU via Sweden due to COVID-19
Today the Government decided to extend the temporary entry ban to the EU via Sweden until 15 May. The decision was taken following a recommendation of the European Commission. The aim of the entry ban is, as previously, to mitigate the effects of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and reduce the outbreak of COVID-19.
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Joint Statement – Rule of Law in the context of the Covid-19 crisis
Joint Statement by Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
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Speech by Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist at video conference of foreign affairs ministers (defence)
6 April 2020 Check against delivery.
· Speech from Peter Hultqvist, Ministry of Defence
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The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against travel to all countries up to 15 June 2020
In light of the extensive spread of the COVID-19 virus and the rapidly changing and uncertain situation for travellers, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has extended the decision it took on 14 March 2020 to advise against non-essential travel to all countries so that it applies until 15 June 2020.
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Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth instructed to take measures via European Regional Development Fund programmes to respond to the impacts of COVID-19
Through an investment initiative, the European Commission has proposed measures aimed at making it easier for countries and regions to introduce measures to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. On 27 March, the Government therefore instructed the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth to work with the regions to analyse needs and prioritise measures to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 within European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes. The Government considers that focus should be on measures to finance working capital in small- and medium-sized enterprises.
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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.
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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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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.
