Do I need a visa to go to Sweden?
Who needs a Schengen visa for Sweden, who does not, and where the official list is.
Short answer
Citizens of countries on the Swedish government's visa list need a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days, while citizens of visa-exempt countries do not. Visa-exempt visitors, including Americans and British citizens, may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Border police can still check that you meet the entry conditions.
Why
- According to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), you need a Schengen visa to visit Sweden for up to 90 days if you come from a country whose citizens need one.
- The Swedish Government publishes an alphabetical list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visa to enter Sweden, last updated on 15 October 2024.
- According to Migrationsverket, you do not need a visa if your country's citizens are visa-exempt, and you also do not need one if you are a citizen of, or hold residence in, another Schengen country.
Details
Check your citizenship against the government's list of countries whose citizens need a visa. Visa-exempt travellers can still be stopped at the border: Migrationsverket names a passport valid at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, a return ticket, an invitation or hotel booking, and SEK 700 for each day of the visit. Border police cannot give approval in advance, so the decision is made at the border.
Tip
Look up your citizenship on the government's list before you book anything. If your country is on it, apply for the visa well ahead: the earliest you can apply is six months before the visit.
What may differ
Some countries on the government's list have exceptions for certain passport types, such as biometric passports from certain Western Balkan and Eastern European countries, so read the footnotes next to your country. Working in Sweden on a visa is allowed only in exceptional cases.
People also ask
- Do you need a visa for Sweden?
- Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?
- Which countries need a visa for Sweden?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Migration Agency before you travel.
Planning and entry to SwedenRelated questions
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Can you bring prescription medicines into Sweden?
You can bring prescription medicines into Sweden if you can show they are yours, for example with a prescription, a pharmacy label or a doctor's certificate.
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Can you bring food, meat and dairy into Sweden?
From other EU countries you may bring any type of food for personal use, but meat and dairy products from outside the EU are generally not allowed.
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How much alcohol and tobacco can you bring into Sweden from outside the EU?
From outside the EU you can bring 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of fortified wine, 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes duty free.
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How do I renew a Swedish passport from abroad?
Swedish citizens living abroad can apply for a passport at some Swedish embassies, and most embassies can also hand over a passport applied for elsewhere.