On 3 February 2021, the Government decided on certain amendments to the ban on entry to Sweden. The amendments mean that there is now a general entry ban for foreign nationals who cannot present a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection upon entry into Sweden. The rules include certain exemptions. The amendments apply as of 6 February 2021. From 6 February 2021, a separate entry ban from EEA states and certain other states also applies. The requirement to present a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection – with certain exemptions – also applies upon entry from these states.
Q: What does the Government's decision to implement an entry ban mean?
A: It means that the Government has decided to temporarily ban non-essential travel to Sweden from all countries except EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The entry ban does not apply to Swedish citizens. Exemptions from the entry ban are also made for more categories of travellers. These include, for example, foreign citizens with a Swedish residence permit, people with an essential need or function in Sweden, or residents of certain specified countries.
See below for more information on which exemptions apply.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. There are also certain exemptions from the test requirement, for example for children, for transport workers and in the event of imperative family reasons.
See below for more information on which exemptions apply.
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: Why has an entry ban been issued?
A: The EU Member States have given their support to a call from the European Council and the European Commission to take measures to temporarily ban non-essential travel to the EU. The purpose is to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus is an international emergency requiring a coordinated response. The Government has therefore decided to respond to the call and issue a temporary entry ban in line with the Commission’s recommendations.
Q: How ling will the entry ban apply?
A: The entry ban came into effect on 19 March 2020. It has been extended and currently applies until 31 March 2021. It is presently unclear how long the entry ban will apply.
Q: What kind of travel is affected by the entry ban?
A: The entry ban basically applies to foreign citizens attempting to enter Sweden from all countries except EU Member States, members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. The EEA includes all EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway*.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival.
*However, the Government has adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
There are also a number of exemptions from the entry ban and test requirement. To see who is covered by the exemptions, see below.
Q: Does the entry ban also apply to Swedish citizens?
A: No, the entry ban only applies to foreign citizens. Swedish citizens can therefore enter the country despite the entry ban.
Nonetheless, Swedes who have been abroad should follow the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s recommendations on testing and quarantine, which are intended to curb the spread of the virus.
The Government refers to the Public Health Agency of Sweden for guidelines for incoming travellers. According to the Agency, information is also provided at airports and harbours.
Q: Does the entry ban affect travel within the EU?
A: The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The EEA includes all EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: Why has Sweden chosen to exempt certain travellers from the entry ban but not others?
A: The Government has chosen to follow what was agreed at EU level regarding the groups not to be included in the entry ban.The Government is closely monitoring developments concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and has continuous contact with the responsible public authorities and other countries.
Q: The Government has decided to require a negative test result upon entry into Sweden. What does this mean?
A: It means that a foreign citizen who is covered by an exemption from the entry ban must, upon entry into Sweden, be able to present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. There are a few exemptions from this requirement. The amendment applies as of 6 February 2021.
Press release: Negative COVID-19 test required for entry into Sweden
The Government refers to the Public Health Agency of Sweden for information about the standards that certificates showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 must meet.
From 6 February 2021, the requirement of presenting a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection also applies – with some exemptions – upon entry to Sweden from EEA states and certain other states.
Q: Must all travellers be able to present a negative test result in order to enter Sweden?
A: Swedish citizens always have the right to enter Sweden. However, Swedes who have been abroad should follow the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s recommendations on testing and quarantine, which are intended to curb the spread of the virus.
All other nationalities must be able to present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival, with some exemptions. The exemptions apply to:
People who are exempt from the requirement to present a test result upon entry should nonetheless follow the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s recommendations on testing and quarantine, which are intended to curb the spread of the virus.
The Government refers to the Public Health Agency of Sweden for guidelines for incoming travellers. According to the Agency, information is also provided at airports and harbours.
Q: Does the test requirement also apply to children?
A: No, the requirement to present a certificate showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection does not apply to children under the age of 18.
Q: Why are those transporting goods exempt from the test requirement?
A: It is crucial that transports of essential goods, such as food or medicines, are not impeded. The European Commission has also recommended that Member States make exceptions for people transporting goods.
Q: Does Sweden has any quarantine requirements upon entry? Must all travellers go into quarantine?
A: The Government refers to the Public Health Agency of Sweden for guidelines for incoming travellers. According to the Agency, information is also provided at airports and harbours.
Swedish citizens always have the right to enter Sweden. However, it is important that Swedish citizens and others who are exempt from the test requirement upon entry follow the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s recommendations on testing and quarantine, which are intended to curb the spread of the virus.
Q: What applies to people with a Swedish residence permit but who are abroad?
A: People with a Swedish residence permit are exempt from the entry ban. Their family members are also exempt. Valid family ties may be a spouse, cohabiting partner or child.
People with residence permits are also exempt from the requirement to present a certificate showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection. However, it is not certain that family members will be exempt from this requirement (see above).
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: What applies for family members of Swedish citizens?
A: Some family members of Swedish citizens are exempt from the entry ban. This may include, for example, spouses, cohabiting partners and children.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. Children, people with residence permits and people with imperative family reasons, and certain others, are exempt from the test requirement (see above)
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: Will people who live abroad be able to visit relatives in Sweden?
A: That depends on the country they are travelling from. As a general rule, people travelling to Sweden from all countries – except EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – will be denied entry. However, exemptions may be made for several categories of people, including people with certain family ties to Swedish citizens. Exemptions may also be made for people living in certain particularly specified countries (see above). Exemptions may also be made for people with an essential need, such as imperative family reasons.
How exemptions are to be interpreted and what assessments are to be made in an individual case is primarily a matter for the Swedish Police Authority.
Swedish citizens living abroad are not affected by the entry ban.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. Children, people with imperative family reasons and certain others are exempt from the test requirement (see above)
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: What does the entry ban mean for exchange students in Sweden who are currently abroad - can they return to Sweden?
A: People with a Swedish residence permit for studies or similar reasons are exempt from the entry ban. In addition, people living in certain particularly specified countries (see above) are exempt. Exemptions may also be made for people with an essential need, such as people who travel in order to study.
People with residence permits and people under the age of 18 are also exempt from the requirement to present a certificate showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection. If a student is covered by one of the other exemptions from the entry ban, such a certificate may be required as of 6 February (see above).
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies.
Q: What applies for people residing abroad who will perform work in Sweden - will they be allowed to enter?
A: Travel from another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland is not covered by the entry ban. Further exemptions from the entry ban are people with residence permits, people living in certain particularly specified countries (see above) and people with an essential function in Sweden, such as seasonal workers and highly skilled workers.
How exemptions are to be interpreted and what assessments are to be made in an individual case is primarily a matter for the Swedish Police Authority.
Swedish citizens living abroad are not affected by the entry ban.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. Transport workers, seafarers and certain others are exempt from the test requirement (see above).
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies. Separate exemptions and test requirements for frontier workers also apply.
Q: What applies for people who want to visit Sweden as tourists - will they be allowed to enter?
A: That depends on the country they are travelling from. As a general rule, people travelling to Sweden from all countries – except EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – will be denied entry. However, people living in certain particularly specified countries (see above) are exempt from the entry ban.
For a foreign citizen travelling to Sweden to be covered by any of the exemptions from the entry ban, as of 6 February it is also a requirement that they can present a certificate showing a negative result for ongoing COVID-19 infection from a test conducted within 48 hours prior to arrival. Transport workers, seafarers and certain others are exempt from the test requirement (see above).
The Government has also adopted a separate entry ban with a testing requirement for entry from EEA states and certain other states, which applies as of 6 February. The Government’s earlier decision to substantially restrict possibilities to travel to Sweden from Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark still applies. Separate exemptions and test requirements for frontier workers also apply.
Q: Will asylum seekers be affected by the temorary entry ban?
A: The right to asylum will not be affected by the decision.
People with an essential need in Sweden – including those in need of international protection or who have other humanitarian grounds – are exempt from the entry ban, in line with Sweden’s international commitments.
These people are also exempt from the requirement to present a certificate showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection.
Q: Will the transport of goods, such as food and pharmaceuticals, be affected by the temorary entry ban?
A: People with an essential function in Sweden, such as transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff, are exempt from the entry ban.
These workers are also exempt from the requirement to present a certificate showing a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection.
It is crucial that transports of essential goods, such as food or medicines, are not impeded. The European Commission has also recommended to the Member States that people transporting goods should not be included in any entry ban.
