Can UK citizens visit Sweden without a visa?
The 90/180-day rule, passport rules and EES for British travellers.
Short answer
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. The UK Foreign Office says the passport must be less than 10 years old on arrival and valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
Why
- According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, you can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Sweden, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The same source says visits to other Schengen countries in the previous 180 days count towards the 90 days, and that overstaying may lead to a ban of up to 3 years.
- According to the Swedish Police, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has operated since 12 October 2025 and registers travel documents, a face photo and fingerprints of non-EU travellers.
Details
EES replaces the manual stamping of passports, and the Foreign Office advises allowing extra time at the border. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in operation: the Swedish Police say the EU has not yet decided the start date. Stays beyond 90 days in any 180-day period need a Swedish visa or permit.
Tip
Check the issue date and expiry date of your passport before you book, because a passport renewed before 1 October 2018 may not meet the 10-year rule.
What may differ
British citizens who have lived in Sweden legally since before 1 January 2021 do not need a work permit or visa, because of their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Working in Sweden has different requirements from a visa-free short stay.
People also ask
- Do British citizens need a visa for Sweden?
- Do I need a visa for Sweden with a UK passport?
Sources
- UK Government: Sweden travel advice, entry requirementsChecked at:
- UK Government: Living in SwedenChecked at:
- Swedish Police: Entry Exit SystemChecked at:
- Swedish Police: Third-country nationals (ETIAS and EES)Checked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the UK Foreign Office travel advice and the Swedish Police 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.