Entry, passports and customs
Visa rules, the Schengen 90/180 count, the documents to carry and the limits for alcohol, tobacco, cash and food at the Swedish border. For short trips and longer stays.
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Can UK citizens visit Sweden without a visa?
Yes, British citizens can visit Sweden without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as their passport meets the entry rules.
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How long must my passport be valid to enter Sweden?
Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from Sweden, and it must not be older than 10 years.
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Where can you get a passport photo taken in Sweden?
You do not bring a passport photo, because the photo for a Swedish passport is taken at the Police passport office when you apply.
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How long is a Swedish passport valid?
A Swedish passport is valid for five years for people over 12 and for three years for children under 12, according to the Swedish Police.
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Do I need a passport to go to Sweden?
Yes, travellers from outside the EU need a valid passport to enter Sweden, while EU and EEA citizens can use a valid passport or a national ID card.
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What should you declare to customs at Arlanda?
You must declare goods above the duty-free allowances, cash of EUR 10,000 or more, dogs and cats, and firearms with silencers and ammunition by choosing the red lane.
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Where can you apply for a passport in Stockholm?
In Stockholm you apply at a Swedish Police passport office after booking a time online, for example at Polisen Stockholm Kungsholmen on Bergsgatan 48.
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Do I need ETIAS to travel to Sweden?
No, ETIAS is not yet in operation, so you do not need it to travel to Sweden today, and the EU has not announced an exact start date.
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Do Swedish citizens need a visa for the USA?
Swedish citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days, but they must have an approved ESTA before they travel to the USA.
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Do you have to hand in your old passport when you get a new one?
Yes, if your old Swedish passport is still valid you hand it in, either when you apply or when you collect the new passport.
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What happens if my Swedish passport expires, and can I renew it early?
Yes, you can apply for a new Swedish passport while the old one is still valid, and the Police advise applying early for travel in 2027.
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Does Sweden have open borders or border checks?
Sweden is in the Schengen area, where checks at internal borders have been abolished, but Sweden has temporary checks at its internal border.
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How long can I stay in Sweden without a visa?
Visitors who do not need a visa can stay in Sweden for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries together.
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How do I apply for a Sweden Schengen visa?
You apply for a Schengen visa outside Sweden, at a Swedish embassy or at VFS Global in many countries, up to six months before your visit.
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Can you travel within the EU without a passport?
Yes, EU citizens can travel to other EU countries, and to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, with either a valid passport or a national ID card.
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How do I get a Swedish passport?
A Swedish citizen gets a passport by booking a time with the Swedish Police and applying in person, with photo, fingerprints and fee handled at the passport office.