sweden travel advisory map

Global Travel Risk Map

Daily updated risk assessment for all countries.

World Overview

Skip to main content
Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Sweden travel advice

Latest updates: Editorial change

Last updated: August 7, 2024 12:27 ET

Petty crime

Petty crime like pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs. Thieves work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings.

Thieves are especially active in crowded areas, such as:

airports, train stations and public transportation hubs
hotel lobbies
concerts and music festivals
restaurants, patios and outdoor cafés
tourist attractions

Always keep your belongings in a safe place, including your passport and other travel documents.

Violent crime

Gang and organized crime-related violence occurs mainly in the three largest cities in Sweden:

Stockholm County has experienced an increase in gun violence and homicides linked to gang rivalries. Recent incidents suggest retaliatory killings. In certain situations, criminals have used bombs, hand grenades or improvised explosive devices. Violent incidents have occurred in public areas, including bars and restaurants.

While violent incidents have not typically occurred in areas frequented by tourists, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings
Do not touch or move suspicious items or unattended packages

Heightened threat of terrorism

There is a heightened threat of terrorism in Sweden.

Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

government buildings, including schools
places of worship
airports and other transportation hubs and networks
public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending:

sporting events
religious holidays
major political events, such as demonstrations
other public celebrations

Terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

The Government of Sweden maintains a public alert system on terrorism. On August 17, 2023, the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) raised the national terrorist threat level from 3 (elevated) to 4 (high) on a 5-step scale. The threat level is based on the assessment that the threat posed by violent extremists will remain heightened. The Government communicates threat level changes online and through local media.

Local terrorism threat level – Swedish Crisis Information

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur from time to time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place
Follow the instructions of local authorities
Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Adventure and arctic tourism

Adventure tourism may lead to serious safety concerns if not well-organized. Weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

In winter, heavy snowfall can make it difficult to reach certain areas. Roads may become impassable. There is also a risk of avalanches, some of which can be fatal.

If you undertake adventure tourism or trekking, especially in the arctic provinces and remote areas of Sweden:

never do so alone
buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
don’t venture off marked trails
ensure that you’re properly equipped
ensure that you’re well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are excellent. Some roads may be closed in winter, particularly in northern areas.

Wildlife road accidents are common. Be particularly vigilant if driving at nighttime. Road signs indicating risks posed by the presence of particular animals display the animal’s silhouette on an orange triangle with red borders.

Public transportation

Public transportation services are efficient and reliable.

Trains and buses

Sweden has an extensive high-speed railway network that connects main cities and rural areas. Stockholm also has a metro (subway) rail service, and a regional commuter rail network serves the Southern part of the country.

Most cities have good public bus systems. Long-distance bus lines are also available.

Taxis are widely available but may be expensive. Use only officially marked taxis and don’t share them with strangers.

Taxi fares in Sweden are not regulated. Fares may vary and have no upper limit. Always confirm the rates before your journey or pre-negotiate fares.

There are daily ferry connections with Denmark, Germany, Finland and the Baltic countries.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Swedish authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Schengen area

Sweden is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

Foreign Representatives in Canada

Temporary border controls

The Swedish government has reintroduced internal border controls at all ports of entry. You may be required to pass through immigration controls when entering Sweden, even if arriving from another Schengen area country.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus. Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.

The flu occurs worldwide.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to April.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and October.
In the tropics, there is flu activity year round.

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

In this destination, rabies may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional.

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
Minimize exposure to insects
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

washing your hands often
avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

English is widely spoken in the main hospitals, particularly in the urban centres of Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg.

Emergency services may be limited in remote areas.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Sweden are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Sweden to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Sweden authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Sweden.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Sweden, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Sweden.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Sweden, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Swedish court.

If you are in this situation:

act as quickly as you can
contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
consult a lawyer in Canada and in Sweden to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
Request emergency assistance

Compulsory military service

Swedish citizens of 18 years of age are subject to compulsory military service. Dual Canadian-Swedish citizens may be subject to this requirement.

Military service - Swedish Defence Recruitment Agency (in Swedish)

Physical punishment of children

Physical punishment of children, including the threat of physical punishment, is illegal in Sweden. The law applies to all adults regardless of relation and in all settings, including at home. Swedish authorities can take custody of children and prosecute adults in situations where physical punishment occurs.

Use of public land

Movement and camping on public land in Sweden is permitted under the “Allemansrätten” or “Freedom to Roam” law. Camping is not permitted within 70m of a dwelling or cultivated land. There are certain restrictions for specific areas, times of year, and uses.

The right of public access – Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

A Canadian driver’s licence can be used to drive in Sweden for up to one year. You should also carry an international driving permit.

Congestion charges

A congestion tax is imposed for vehicles entering and exiting Stockholm and Gothenburg. Consult the website of the Swedish Transport Agency to confirm the current hours and amounts for congestion taxes.

Congestion taxes in Stockholm and Gothenburg - Swedish Transport Agency

Vehicles must be equipped with winter tires from December 1 to March 31. Winter tires may also be required outside of these dates when the Swedish police consider local weather conditions to be similar to the winter season. This could reflect snow, ice, or frost on the roads.

Children below 135 cm must sit in an approved car seat designed for their height and weight, either a baby car seat, child car seat, booster seat or booster cushion.

More information about driving in Sweden - European Commission
More about the International Driving Permit

The currency of Sweden is the Swedish krona (SEK).

Many shops and restaurants no longer accept cash.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

banknotes and coins
bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
bonds, shares
gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Sweden is prone to severe winter weather. Floods and windstorms could occur. The risk of flooding is greatest in the South of the country.

Weather warnings and advisories – Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)

Climate change

Climate change is affecting Sweden. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans.

In mountainous regions, avalanches and landslides present a risk.

Monitor local media and weather forecasts
Follow the advice of local authorities

Avalanche forecasts - Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket)

Forest fires may occur in summer months, and fire bans during the summer are common. Respect all fire bans to avoid a heavy fine. Whether or not a fire ban is in place, you may face arrest if you cause a forest fire.

If you plan on camping or cooking outdoors in Sweden during the summer:

use a camping stove instead of an open fire
follow the instructions of local authorities

Map of fire bans – Swedish Crisis Information

Local services

Dial 112 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Sweden, in Stockholm, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Media Resources
Contact Media Relations

FACT SHEET: United States Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in Several African Countries

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about the upsurge of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa. This announcement followed the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (Africa CDC) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13. The significant increase of clade I mpox cases, in both endemic countries (those that have previously had mpox outbreaks) and non-endemic countries (those that have historically not reported mpox outbreaks), threatens the health security of the region, as well as countries outside Africa. In addition, clade I mpox has a newer sub-clade referred to as clade Ib. Both clade Ia and clade Ib are circulating in DRC and have been detected in neighboring countries and in Sweden and Thailand (one case each associated with travel to Africa with known clade I cases).

In 2022, the world experienced a global outbreak of clade IIb mpox, which led to more than 95,000 cases across 115 non-endemic countries and continues to occur in the United States. The Biden-Harris Administration responded by ensuring the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine was available to at-risk populations in the U.S.

In February, as the clade I mpox outbreak grew in DRC, the Biden-Harris Administration established an incident response structure across federal departments and agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to take a proactive approach to U.S. domestic preparedness for potential clade I mpox cases. Clade I mpox causes a higher number of severe infections and has a higher mortality rate than clade IIb mpox. Because evidence for clade I mpox clinical outcomes is based primarily on data from endemic countries without widespread supportive care, particularly DRC, we do not yet know how clade I mpox would impact Americans; we do expect it would cause lower morbidity and mortality in the United States.

United States preparedness for clade I mpox

The Biden-Harris Administration has been closely monitoring the spread of mpox, specifically clade I mpox, and has been working since December 2023 to prepare domestically. The risk to most Americans from clade I mpox circulating in Central and Eastern Africa and the travel associated cases outside of Africa is very low, and there are no known cases in the United States at this time. The United States is well prepared to rapidly detect, contain, and manage clade I cases should they occur domestically.

The United States continues to increase our capacity to detect cases of clade I and clade IIb mpox through existing surveillance systems, including wastewater testing, and through expanding the robust diagnostic testing capacity built during the ongoing clade IIb outbreak to ensure coverage for clade I. The ability to expedite such diagnostic testing—in particular for those with recent travel to DRC or neighboring countries—also supports rapid detection. In addition to reaffirming the importance of mpox vaccination for those who are eligible , we are working to prevent the spread of both clades of mpox by providing and disseminating recommendations for clinicians, health departments, diagnostic laboratories, and the public.

From August 2022 to August 2024, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), distributed more than one million vials of the JYNNEOS vaccine across the United States to mitigate the spread and severity of the clade II mpox outbreak. In addition to the preventive vaccine, partners across the U.S. government are working to better understand the effectiveness of existing treatments for mpox and have treatment options available in the event that clade I mpox is reported in the United States. The United States will continue to provide information to the public on transmission, prevention, and treatment of mpox. Those who have already had clade IIb mpox or who are fully vaccinated against it are expected to be protected against clade I mpox.

CDC has issued an updated Health Alert Network advisory for clinicians and public health departments and partners, as well as an updated Travel Health Notice , recommending travelers to DRC and neighboring countries to practice enhanced precautions. Through the State Department, our embassies are working to keep U.S. citizens abroad informed of these updates. At this time, CDC and WHO do not discourage travel to DRC or elsewhere due to the mpox outbreaks.

United States support to the global mpox outbreak

The U.S. government has been closely monitoring the spread of clade I mpox in DRC and the risk to neighboring countries since 2023, and we have been working closely with the affected country governments and regional and global health partners to reduce the impact of this outbreak and safeguard public health. The U.S. government support for the mpox response builds on our longstanding partnerships in global health security and development with DRC and throughout Africa, which have helped to combat infectious diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria for more than 20 years. In fiscal year 2023, the United States allocated more than $2.65 billion in bilateral health funding to countries in Central and Eastern Africa and is the largest global health donor.

Since March 2024, USAID and CDC together have provided an additional $20 million USD to support clade I mpox response efforts in Central and Eastern Africa, and on August 20, USAID announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts, pending Congressional Notification, bringing the proposed total U.S. government financial support for DRC and other affected countries in the region to more than $55 million.

In addition to direct financial support, the United States government is surging staff to support the mpox response. More than 200 staff including epidemiologists, laboratorians, and risk communication experts have been deployed to support response efforts in the United States and Africa. United States government support has focused on a range of critical public health interventions aimed at limiting transmission and reducing mpox morbidity and mortality. These interventions include surveillance with deployment of additional local field epidemiologists, risk communication and community engagement, laboratory supplies and diagnostics, infection prevention and control, clinical services, and vaccine planning.

In addition to scaling up surveillance, testing, and treatment of cases, vaccination will be a critical element of the response to this outbreak. Successful vaccination campaigns will require health workers to provide vaccinations, financial support to roll out vaccine and vaccination supplies, and regulatory approval for use of vaccines in affected countries. To support this effort, USAID is donating 50,000 doses of the FDA-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to DRC, as well as financial support for rollout of the vaccine doses. The United States is working with other countries that have vaccine stockpiles, WHO, and international partners to encourage additional donations that support vaccine efforts and address challenges with vaccine delivery. This includes evaluating vaccine demand, supporting country engagement on regulatory pathways, planning vaccine implementation, and providing technical assistance to deliver the vaccines.

The United States is working with bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners to develop and implement a coordinated response – including encouraging collaboration between WHO and Africa CDC on their response plans. The United States, through the State Department, will continue working through the U.S.-Africa CDC Joint Action Plan adopted in November 2023 to increase African Union Member States' capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.

The Biden-Harris Administration will continue its whole-of-government response to this growing outbreak, building on lessons learned from the 2022 mpox response. To learn more about mpox, signs and symptoms, treatments, and prevention, please visit the CDC website here .

### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC’s world-leading experts protect lives and livelihoods, national security and the U.S. economy by providing timely, commonsense information, and rapidly identifying and responding to diseases, including outbreaks and illnesses. CDC drives science, public health research, and data innovation in communities across the country by investing in local initiatives to protect everyone’s health.

CDC Newsroom

CDC public health news, press releases, government public health news, medical and disease news, story ideas, photos.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Warnings and insurance

Before you travel.

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

see general advice for women travellers
read our guide on disability and travel abroad
see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
read about safety for solo and independent travel
see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

International Travel Restrictions by Country

Find out where you can travel and covid-19 policies.

Select origin country, search destination or select a country on the map to see travel restrictions.

The travel status of individual countries can change suddenly, and we know it can be hard to stay on top of it all. That's why we're getting you the information you need to consider when planning travel. Learn about country-specific entry requirements such as the border status, COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine requirements. Many countries are reopening their borders for international travel. Find out which countries are open to vaccinated travelers.

Just enter your departure country above - the map will update to reflect countries' opening status and any entry requirements for air travelers. Before you book, be sure to double check your country's official government site.

Destinations you can travel to now

Dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Filter by region, status and more

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Albania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Algeria.

American Samoa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter American Samoa.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Angola.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Anguilla.

Antigua And Barbuda

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Antigua And Barbuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Argentina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Armenia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Aruba.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Australia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Austria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Azerbaijan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bahrain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Barbados.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belgium.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belize.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Benin.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bermuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bhutan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bolivia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Botswana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brazil.

British Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the British Virgin Islands.

Brunei Darussalam

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brunei Darussalam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bulgaria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Burundi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cambodia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cameroon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Canada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cape Verde.

Caribbean Netherlands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Caribbean Netherlands.

Cayman Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cayman Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chad.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chile.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter China.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Colombia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Comoros.

Cook Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cook Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Costa Rica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Croatia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Curaçao.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cyprus.

Czech Republic

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Czech Republic.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Denmark.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Djibouti without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Dominica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Dominican Republic.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, need to quarantine to enter East Timor.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ecuador.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Egypt.

El Salvador

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter El Salvador.

Equatorial Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Equatorial Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eritrea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Estonia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eswatini.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ethiopia.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Faroe Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Faroe Islands.

Federated States of Micronesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Federated States of Micronesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Fiji.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Finland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter France.

French Guiana

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Guiana.

French Polynesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Polynesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gabon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Gambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Georgia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Germany.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ghana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gibraltar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greece.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greenland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Grenada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guadeloupe.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guatemala.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea.

Guinea-Bissau

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea-Bissau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guyana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Honduras.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hong Kong.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hungary.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Iceland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Indonesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ireland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Italy.

Ivory Coast

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ivory Coast.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jamaica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Japan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jersey.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jordan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kazakhstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kenya.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kiribati.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kosovo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kuwait.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kyrgyzstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Laos.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Latvia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lesotho.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liberia.

Liechtenstein

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liechtenstein.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lithuania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Luxembourg.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Macau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Madagascar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malawi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malaysia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Maldives.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malta.

Marshall Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Marshall Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Martinique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritius.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mayotte.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mexico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Moldova.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mongolia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montenegro.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montserrat.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Morocco.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mozambique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Namibia.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Nauru without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nepal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

New Caledonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Caledonia.

New Zealand

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Zealand.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nicaragua.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Niger without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nigeria.

North Macedonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter North Macedonia.

Northern Mariana Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Northern Mariana Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Norway.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Oman.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Pakistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Palau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Panama.

Papua New Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Papua New Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Paraguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Peru.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Philippines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Poland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Portugal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Puerto Rico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Qatar.

Republic of the Congo

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Republic of the Congo without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Réunion.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Romania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Rwanda.

Saint Barthélemy

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Barthélemy.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Saint Lucia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Lucia.

Saint Martin

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Martin.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Samoa.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter São Tomé and Príncipe.

Saudi Arabia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saudi Arabia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Senegal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Serbia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Seychelles.

Sierra Leone

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sierra Leone.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Singapore.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovakia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovenia.

Solomon Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Solomon Islands.

South Africa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Africa.

South Korea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Korea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Spain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sri Lanka.

St. Maarten

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter St. Maarten.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sudan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Suriname.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sweden.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Switzerland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Taiwan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tajikistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tanzania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Thailand.

The Bahamas

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter The Bahamas.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Togo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tonga.

Trinidad and Tobago

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Trinidad and Tobago.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tunisia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Türkiye.

Turkmenistan

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Turkmenistan.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tuvalu.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uganda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Arab Emirates.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uruguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uzbekistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vanuatu.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vietnam.

Wallis and Futuna

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Wallis and Futuna.

Western Sahara

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Western Sahara.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zimbabwe.

Get trip-ready with at-home COVID-19 tests

How often is the data on this page updated.

We check for travel restriction information from government authorities daily, and update the page any time we get new information. The following information regarding travel restrictions for each country is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.

How many countries are closed to visitors?

As of Jul 8, 2 countries have completely restricted entry to non-citizens and 5 are open but require quarantine and/or a negative COVID test.

Where can I travel without COVID restrictions?

Currently you can travel from the United States to 197 countries without restrictions. Please check our map to learn more.

Are there any other types of travel restrictions besides COVID-19 tests and quarantines?

These are the two main types of restrictions or requirements needed to travel into another country. However, the COVID-19 testing options are continually widening as new methods are developed. Different countries may accept results from different or multiple test types, so be sure to check the individual country's specific requirements.

What should I do if I get COVID-19 while in another country?

If you get COVID-19 while in another country, follow the local authority's recommendations. These may include hospitalization, self-isolating and testing in that country. Be sure to contact your travel insurance company and travel provider as well and inform them of your situation.

What should I do if the borders of the country I am visiting close?

Depending on your home country, you may need to change your departure date and return home as soon as possible. If that's the case, contact your travel provider to find the earliest departure.

Additional resources

What you need to know
Airline policies
Hotel policies
Car policies
Tips for flying
Tips for hotel
Tips for vacation rental

If you're looking for personalized travel advice for your own travel plans like whether or not a restriction applies to your trip, we won't be able to answer any questions or offer advice. Please consult your local government's resources.

Search , Opens in modal

Weather warnings from SMHI

International travel

It is a good idea to find out before you travel if the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (“Utrikesdepartementet” or “UD”) has issued a travel advisory for your destination.

Travel and health insurance

In Sweden, travel cover for 45 days is usually included in your home insurance. Please check with your insurance company for terms and conditions.

You may also have some insurance cover if you have purchased your trip with a bank card. Check with the card issuer for details.

If you are travelling within the EU/EEA, you must bring your European health insurance card. Order EU cards via the Försäkringskassan website.

Your passport

Please note that some countries require your passport to be valid for six months on your return trip. Passports and national ID cards are the only valid documents that can prove your identity and your citizenship. Driving licences are not considered as travel documents. Apply to the police for a passport or national ID card if you are a Swedish citizen or to your country’s embassy if you have a citizenship other than Swedish.

If you lose your passport during your trip, please contact your country’s embassy or consulate where you happen to be.

Read up on your destination

Find out as much as you can about the country you are travelling to. Sweden’s embassies have travel information in Swedish on Sweden Abroad. You can also get travel information via the UD Resklar app.

Follow news reports about the country to which you are travelling.

If you are travelling to a country outside Europe, you should also find out if you need any vaccinations.

Remember, it is the destination country's legislation that applies. It may look very different from Swedish law, for example, with regard to criminal law and child custody. In some countries there may be special rules for outbound travel for children, such as a requirement for consent from one or both parents to leave the country.

Travel advisories

The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) advises against travel to a country, or parts of a country, where the security situation is deemed to be very dangerous, unpredictable or rapidly changing.

If you choose to travel despite the Ministry's advice, your ordinary travel insurance does not usually apply. Check with your insurance company for particulars.

An advisory against travel often means that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies have limited opportunities to provide consular support.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) recommends that all Swedes who are abroad register their stay on what is known as the 'Swedish list'. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Swedish Embassy can then contact you if a major crisis situation should arise.

In an emergency situation abroad

After events where many people affected or feared to be, it is crucial that relatives or friends in Sweden be informed.

Call home or notify via social media. Use one of the electronic services available for this purpose, such as the Facebook Safety Check. Certain services also allow relatives to register and search for named persons.

Register on the Swedish list so that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate can contact you if necessary.

In the event of extensive crisis events, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs can open special telephone lines for affected Swedes and relatives.

Stay informed about and follow the local authorities’ advice

Follow the development of events through the media and the embassy’s travel information.

Follow the advice of the national and local authorities.

Krisinformation.se publishes confirmed information about events abroad that affect Swedish citizens and people connected to Sweden.

If you need medical care or other practical help

Contact your insurance company’s emergency centre if you need medical care or other practical help.

Contact your local embassy for specific advice on how to solve problems. In the event of an emergency, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs may also be contacted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on-call is staffed around the clock every day of the year and handles urgent matters outside the embassy’s office hours.

Contact airlines or other travel operators to rebook tickets.

Share this content:

What are you searching for.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Sweden Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Sweden.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
Avoid contaminated water and soil
Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
Bite from an infected rodent
Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
Avoid rodents and areas where they live
Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Sweden, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although Sweden is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
2-undecanone
Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Sweden include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
Do not dive into shallow water.
Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
Go to a doctor right away.
Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

Use latex condoms correctly.
Do not inject drugs.
Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Sweden’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
Make sure there are seatbelts.
Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

Wear a seatbelt at all times.
Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
If you choose to drive a vehicle in Sweden, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
Follow all local laws and social customs.
Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Sweden for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

Adobe PDF file
Microsoft PowerPoint file
Microsoft Word file
Microsoft Excel file
Audio/Video file
Apple Quicktime file
RealPlayer file
Zip Archive file

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

Exercise a high degree of caution in Sweden due to the threat of terrorism.

Sweden (PDF 525.08 KB)

Europe (PDF 2.62 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Sweden.

See Safety

Swedish authorities assess that Sweden is a prioritised target for terrorist attacks, with increasing threats by violent Islamist groups. The current threat level is 'high threat' or level 4 out of 5, meaning the probability of an attack is high.

Terrorist attacks can occur at any time. Maintain high vigilance in public spaces and take official warnings seriously. Avoid crowds, be aware of your surroundings, and stay i nformed .

Petty crime is common. Take care in hotels and restaurants. Violent crime is rare. However, gangs and organised crime do occur. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
Winter is extremely cold, with heavy snowfall and severe transport delays. Public facilities can also be interrupted. Check the media, emergency information from Swedish authorities and other local sources for the latest details.

Full travel advice: Safety

Australia has a healthcare agreement with Sweden. You'll still need private travel health insurance and a valid Medicare card.
Ticks are very common outside city areas from March to November. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are risks. Check your body and remove any ticks as soon as you can.

You can bring a 3-month supply of medicine for personal use to Sweden.

Swedish medical facilities are similar to Australia. However, emergency services are limited in remote areas.

Full travel advice: Health

It's illegal to use physical punishment on children, including threatening a child with physical punishment. If you do, local authorities can take custody of your child and prosecute you.
Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and jail. This applies even to small amounts.
Sweden recognises dual nationality. If you're a dual Australian-Swedish national, check your military service obligations with the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency .

Full travel advice: Local laws

Sweden has abolished passport and border controls within the Schengen area. Schengen visa rules apply. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Sweden for the latest details.

Sweden's official currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK).

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy, Stockholm .
To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Swedish authorities assess that Sweden is a prioritised target for terrorist attacks, with threats by violent Islamist groups increasing in the past year. Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Sweden.

Sweden's deterioration in the security situation has led the Swedish Government to raise the threat from 'elevated threat' to 'high threat', equivalent to a threat level of 4 out of 5, meaning the probability of an attack is high. This is a long-term assessment and not a temporary increase.

Gathering sites, such as places of worship, could be targeted. Use caution when in and around any diplomatic facilities. Report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

In recent years, terrorists have attacked some European cities. Targets have included:

Airports
public transport and transport hubs
places of worship
sporting venues
restaurants, bars and clubs
shopping centres
other sites frequented by tourists

European security services have also stopped several planned attacks.

Areas attracting large groups of people are also targets. These include places popular with foreigners, such as Christmas markets.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

avoid places that could be terrorist targets
consider the level of security around you
avoid visiting at peak times
have a clear exit plan if there's a security incident
report any suspicious actions or items to the police
monitor the media for new threats
take official warnings seriously
follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

More information:

Swedish Police
Emergency Information

Civil unrest and political tension

Monitor local media for updates and other sources for possible unrest.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself in periods of unrest:

avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations
Demonstrations and civil unrest
Major cultural events

Violent and other serious crimes are rare. However, gang and organised crime do occur, mainly in the three largest cities:

While violent incidents are rare in tourist locations, you should still be cautious. Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. In Gothenburg and Malmö, gang-related violence does occur more frequently in the city centre, especially at night.

Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common and on the rise in Stockholm.

Criminals may work in teams. One distracts the victim while the other carries out the theft.

Take care in hotels and restaurants. Thieves steal bags and purses when you're distracted.

More information

theft and robbery

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Climate and natural disasters

Winter can be extremely cold, depending on where you are. There's heavy snowfall, including in major cities. There can also be severe transport delays and temporary closures of public facilities, including roads, train and air services.

Sweden experiences severe weather , including:

forest fires

If conditions are extreme or there's a natural disaster :

check the media, emergency information from Swedish authorities and other local sources for updates

Floods and fires

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

General health advice
Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Check the status of your medicine with the Swedish Medical Products Agency .

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

what the medicine is
your required dosage
that it's for personal use

Health risks

Health risks in Sweden are similar to those in Australia.

Insect-borne diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are risks. Ticks are very common in country areas, especially in some coastal regions and around major lakes. They're active from March to November.

To protect yourself from disease:

make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
always use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

To reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:

check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests
remove ticks as soon as possible, making sure to remove the whole tick
monitor the tick bite for any signs of infection
Infectious diseases

Medical care

Swedish medical facilities have standards similar to those in Australia.

Emergency services are limited in remote areas.

The main hospitals are located in the Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö regions. English is widely spoken.

Australia has a healthcare agreement with Sweden. It's called the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA). If you're in Sweden for less than 90 days, you can access emergency medical services for free.

It doesn't give you the same coverage as Medicare in Australia and doesn't cover the following:

ongoing treatment of pre-existing health conditions
medical evacuation
prescription medicine
elective surgery

Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You must present an Australian passport and a valid Medicare card to get emergency treatment. You may also need to refer to the RHCA.

If you can't show your passport and Medicare card, you may need to pay the same costs that apply to non-residents.

The RHCA does not replace the need for private travel health insurance.

Medicare Australia

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter , but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

It's illegal to use physical punishment against children in Sweden, including threatening a child with physical punishment.

If you use or threaten physical punishment against your child, local authorities can take custody of your child and prosecute you.

Penalties for drug offences, even for small amounts, include heavy fines and jail.

Carrying or using drugs
Partying safely

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Sweden recognises dual nationality.

The Swedish Government has reinstated compulsory military service for citizens who are 18 years of age, starting with those born between 1999 and 2000.

If you're a dual Australian-Swedish national, check your military service obligations with the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency .

Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.

Sweden is part of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen area and has abolished passport and border controls within the Schengen area.

When you first enter the Schengen area, get an entry stamp from border control on your passport.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy of Sweden for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border measures

Check with Swedish authorities for the latest advice.

Swedish Migration Agency
Arlanda Airport departures
Swedish Police

Other formalities

Carry a valid passport to enter or leave Sweden. Do this even if you're travelling from another Schengen country.

Always carry your passport. If you have one, carry your Swedish residency permit. Authorities may ask for proof of identity.

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

LGBTQIA+ travellers

Declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Sweden and any non-European Union (EU) country. This includes all forms of currency, not just cash.

You'll be fined if you don't declare it or give the wrong information on entry or exit.

You don't need to declare currency if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Local travel

Road travel.

Sweden's roads are usually in very good condition.

Roads can be dangerous in winter due to ice. Long periods of darkness can make it hard to see. Every year, approximately 60,000 wildlife road accidents are reported in Sweden.

Get details on road conditions from the Swedish Transport Agency (Swedish).

Vehicle headlights must always be on.

Winter tyres must be fitted:

from 1 December or when it first snows
until 31 March or later if roads are still icy

The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.02%. Penalties for drink driving are severe and can lead to a prison sentence. Note that the police may give you a fine even if the alcohol limit in your blood is lower than 0.02%, depending on your capability to control your vehicle.

Driving or riding
Transport styrelsen: Vägtrafik

Motorcycles

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike or quad bike.

Always wear a helmet.

Public transport

Public transport, including buses and trains, is generally reliable and safe.

Use officially marked taxis.

Transport and getting around safely

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Sweden's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact:

Australian Embassy, Stockholm

Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor 111 64 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: (+460) 8613 2900 Email: [email protected] Website: sweden.embassy.gov.au Facebook: Sweden Embassy Facebook X: @AusAmbSE

Check the Embassy website or its Facebook page for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Sweden?

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

WHO is scaling up response to curb a growing mpox outbreak in the African region.

Mpox: What you need to know about the latest public health emergency

Facebook Twitter Print Email

The swift spread of a new virulent strain of the mpox virus across Africa triggered the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it once again a public health emergency of international concern last week.

But, what is it, where did it come from and how can the world deal with the threat, which inevitably raises the spectre of pandemics past such as COVID-19 and the early spread of HIV infections?

Here’s what you need to know:

Mpox lesions often appear on the palms of hands. (file)

What is mpox?

Formerly known as monkeypox, the viral disease can spread between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via objects and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox.

Originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, mpox was neglected there, according to WHO .

“It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself,” said Dimie Ogoina, who chairs the International Health Regulations’ Emergency Committee , which advises WHO on such matters.

Endemic in central and West Africa, the infectious disease later caused a global outbreak in 2022, leading to a WHO public health emergency in July as it became a multi-country outbreak.

Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO has begun using a new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. Find out more about that decision here .

Mpox is similar to the eradicated smallpox virus. (file)

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of mpox include a rash lasting for two to four weeks, which may be started with or followed by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The rash looks like blisters and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions, mouth, throat or the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand.

People with mpox are considered infectious at least until all their blisters have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath, and all lesions on the eyes and in the body have healed. Typically this takes two to four weeks. Reports show that people can be re-infected after they’ve had mpox.

People with severe mpox may require hospitalisation, supportive care and antiviral medicines to reduce the severity of lesions and shorten time to recovery.

How does mpox spread?

Human to human: Touching, sex and talking or breathing close to someone with mpox can generate infectious respiratory particles, but more research is needed on how the virus spreads during outbreaks in different settings and conditions, says WHO.

What scientists do know is that it is also possible for the virus to persist for some time on clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. Someone else who is in contact with these items may become infected without first washing their hands before touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the fetus, during or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent with mpox to an infant or child during close contact.

Although getting mpox from someone who is asymptomatic has been reported, there is still limited information on whether the virus can be transmitted from someone with the virus before they get symptoms or after their lesions have healed.

Humans to animals: Since many species of animals are known to be susceptible to the virus, there is the potential for spillback of the virus from humans to animals in different settings.

People who have confirmed or suspected mpox should avoid close physical contact with animals, including such pets as cats, dogs, hamsters and gerbils, as well as livestock and wildlife.

Animals to humans: Someone who comes into physical contact with an animal which carries the virus, such as some species of monkey - or a terrestrial rodent like a tree squirrel - may also develop mpox. Such exposure can occur through bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping or preparing a meal. The virus can also be caught through eating contaminated meat which is not cooked thoroughly.

A health worker checks on a two-year-old being treated for mpox north of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Can it be fatal?

Yes, for a small minority. Between 0.1 per cent and 10 per cent of people who have become infected with mpox, have died.

It is important to note that death rates in different settings may differ due to several factors, such as access to health care and underlying immunosuppression, including because of undiagnosed HIV or advanced HIV, according to the UN health agency.

In most cases, the symptoms of mpox go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever, but, in some people, the illness can be severe or lead to complications and eventual death.

Newborn babies, children, people who are pregnant and people with underlying immune deficiencies - such as from advanced HIV - may be at higher risk of more serious mpox disease and death.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes. The UN health agency recommends several vaccines for use against mpox. However, mass vaccination, which rolled out during the COVID-19 global pandemic, is not currently recommended.

Many years of research have led to the development of newer and safer vaccines for the now eradicated disease smallpox. Some of these vaccines have been approved in various countries for use against mpox.

At present, WHO recommends use of MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines, or the ACAM2000 vaccine when the others are not available.

Only people who are at risk of exposure to mpox should be considered for vaccination, according to WHO. Travellers who may be at risk based on an individual risk assessment with their healthcare provider, may wish to consider vaccination.

One of the ways to prevent mpox from spreading is washing your hands after touching contaminated surfaces.

How can you prevent mpox?

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces or objects and cleaning your hands after touching surfaces or objects that may be contaminated can help prevent transmission.

The risk of getting mpox from animals can be reduced by avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead, including their meat and blood.

In countries where animals carry the virus, any food containing animal parts or meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating.

Learn more about mpox here .

Supported by

W.H.O. Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Outbreak

The epidemic is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the virus has now appeared in a dozen other African countries.

Share full article

A health worker in a yellow gown, a white mask and a blue hairnet holds a sealed plastic bag containing samples in a makeshift laboratory space in a tent.

By Apoorva Mandavilli

The rapid spread of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, in African countries constitutes a global health emergency, the World Health Organization declared on Wednesday.

This is the second time in three years that the W.H.O. has designated an mpox epidemic as a global emergency. It previously did so in July 2022. That outbreak went on to affect nearly 100,000 people , primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries, and killed about 200 people.

The threat this time is deadlier. Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. Those most at risk include women and children under 15.

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern D.R.C., its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general.

The outbreak has spread through 13 countries in Africa, including a few that had never reported mpox cases before. On Tuesday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a “public health emergency of continental security,” the first time the organization has taken that step since the African Union granted it the power to do so last year.

“It’s in the interests of the countries, of the continent and of the world to get our arms around this and stop transmission as soon as we can,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, the executive director for preparedness and response at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a nonprofit that finances vaccine development.

Facing the threat of global spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged clinicians and the public in the United States to be alert for the virus.

The W.H.O.’s designation of a “public health emergency of international concern” is intended to prompt member countries to begin preparing for the virus’s appearance and to share vaccines, treatments and other key resources with poorer nations.

“We need concerted international action to stem this recent, novel outbreak,” said Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist at Yale University who served on the W.H.O.’s mpox committee in 2022.

The outbreak that year stayed mostly within tight sexual networks, among gay and bisexual men. A combination of behavioral changes and vaccination tamped down the spread.

In the United States, for example, the toll dropped to about 1,700 cases last year from more than 30,000 in 2022.

The version of mpox that has been circulating in Congo has always been more virulent, and currently has a death rate of about 3 percent, compared with 0.2 percent in the 2022 outbreak. The infection can produce fever, respiratory symptoms, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, as well as a rash on the hands, feet, chest, mouth or genitals.

Until recently, it spread mainly through consumption of contaminated meat or close contact with infected animals and people. Most of the deaths have been in children, who in this region of Africa are already beset by malnutrition and infectious diseases like cholera, measles and polio.

Should the outbreak spread globally, children in developed countries are likely to be less vulnerable to severe illness, experts have said.

Last year, for the first time, scientists discovered sexual transmission of this version of mpox, with cases split about equally among young men and women. According to genetic analyses , sometime around September, the virus gained mutations that enabled it to spread more readily among people. It has done so partly through heterosexual prostitution .

This viral type has not surfaced outside Africa. Over all, there have been more than 17,500 presumed and confirmed mpox cases in 13 countries, according to Africa C.D.C . Most of the cases and deaths have occurred in Congo.

Given the rapid spread, the declaration of a global health emergency was justified, said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who served on the 2022 mpox panel.

“I think we learned a great deal about the speed with which this virus can spread,” she said.

Amid rising numbers, Congo has approved two mpox vaccines , a Japanese product called LC16 and Jynneos, the vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic that was used in 2022 in the United States and Europe. But Congo has yet to institute an immunization plan.

On Aug. 9, the W.H.O. invited vaccine manufacturers to apply for an emergency use listing , a prerequisite for international groups such as Gavi, a global vaccine alliance, to purchase and distribute the shots in low-income nations.

Bavarian Nordic has donated 15,000 doses of Jynneos to be distributed in African countries. But that is a tiny fraction of the 10 million doses needed to control the outbreak, according to Africa C.D.C.

“The challenge is that these vaccines are not sufficient,” even if countries try to protect only the people at highest risk, said Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian scientist and chair of the W.H.O.’s mpox emergency committee.

LC16 was used in Japanese children in the 1970s. Clinical trials funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations are now evaluating whether Jynneos can protect children and people who have already been exposed to the virus , Dr. Lurie said.

The organization is also supporting the development of a new mRNA vaccine made by BioNTech that would protect against mpox and related viruses, such as smallpox.

“This outbreak has been smoldering for quite a long time, and we continually have missed opportunities to shut it down,” Dr. Lurie said. “I’m really glad that everybody is now paying attention and focusing their efforts on this.”

Apoorva Mandavilli is a reporter focused on science and global health. She was a part of the team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the pandemic. More about Apoorva Mandavilli

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Sweden Travel Guide – Top Tips for Your Trip to Sweden

Sweden travel guide - Where to go, when, what to think about and more ...

Are you planning a trip to Sweden? Here are my top tips for a great time in Sweden. Where to go and what to do. What to eat and when to go…

These questions will be answered further below on this page…

Is it worth going to Sweden?

Why travel to sweden.

Where to go?
When to go?

How many days do you need in Sweden?

What to do?

Things NOT to do when you travel to Sweden

Safety tips – How to be safe in Sweden?
… and more

Tips for your trip to Sweden

Having lived in Sweden for more than ten years, I start considering myself as a long-term Sweden tourist, sort of. I still enjoy discovering new places and Sweden still manages to amaze me with idyllic locations and all sorts of impressive experiences. In this Sweden travel guide I want to share the best places, accommodations, useful tips and general travel advice for Sweden. I hope this guide makes it easier to plan your trip so you can have a great time when you’re in Sweden.

In the bottom of this page you find important safety information for your trip to Sweden.

Absolutely … if you plan your trip right. For example, your trip to Sweden can be a disappointment if you go to the wrong locations or even to the right locations but at the wrong time of the year. But let’s start with why you should travel to Sweden in general and after that I’ll tell you what is the best time to go there.

Sweden offers a lot for diverse types of travellers. You will have a great experience, if you want to discover stunning nature, take your loved ones to one of the family friendly amusement parks. You can buy go shopping in modern stores and afterwards dine in some of the world’s finest restaurants and afterwards get to know Sweden’s intense night life. You can go into culturally interesting buildings, learn more about historically relevant places and afterwards enjoy some typically Swedish pastry and a cup of strong coffee in a cozy Swedish café.

In short, Sweden is a great travel destination for those who want to

Discover beautiful nature
Provide all their family members a fun experience in a child-friendly, safe environment
Get to know Swedes at the bar and on the dance floor
Eat delicious food
Expand your wardrobe with the latest Swedish fashion

Where to go – best destinations in Sweden

Top destinations to visit in sweden.

Idyllic at the sea : Smögen and the surrounding coast line and villages at Sweden’s west coast
Typical Sweden : beautiful landscapes with lots of lakes and vast forrest: Småland (that’s where Astrid Lindgren grew up and many of her tales take place, for example Emil of Lönneberga)
Party, shopping, archipelagos and royal family : Stockholm

When to visit Sweden?

Unless you like skiing – in which case – the best time to travel to Sweden is mid/end of May to mid September . Sweden really comes to life during this time of the year:

When to visit Sweden? What is the best month?

Best months to travel to Sweden : mid/end of May to mid September (the big cities and the south of Sweden are great in summer, due to green landscapes, long, sunny days and smiling Swedes) and December (Christmas fairs and shopping).

If you like skiing , I’d recommend the time between December and March in one of the big Swedish skiing resorts like Åre , Sälen or Vemdalen .

Two days, if you’re going there for a short trip. Stockholm and Gothenburg are absolutely worth visiting, even if it’s just for one night or one full day.

A great way to experience Sweden, which I strongly recommend, is having a round trip/road trip, of at least a week, better two. This way, you can experience the cool cities as well as the idyllic little towns with their typically Swedish red houses and other beautiful country- or seaside locations. I will share the best destinations for your route through Sweden further below…

Practical travel advice

Short distance to Swedes when standing in line
Spanking your children even slightly (illegal). Sweden is a child-friendly country . Already in 1979 Sweden became the first country to ban corporal punishment of children. “ Beating or spanking a child is also a criminal offence according to the Swedish Penal Code”.
Expecting cash payment option

Buying alcohol and drinking age

To buy alcohol that you want to drink in your Swedish cabin or hotel, like wine, spirits and beer with high percentage alcohol (over 3.5%) you have to go to the state-owned alcohol shop Systembolaget . Also, you have to be 20 years old to buy alcohol at Systembolaget. In bars and restaurants on the other hand: 18 .

Currency in Sweden – Do I need cash in Sweden?

Swedish krona (svenska kronor). You get around Sweden pretty well with electric payment methods, even without cash in your wallet (personally, I rarely use any cash nowadays). Yet, I’d recommend you have about 500 SEK in bank notes with you, just in case a card payment processing system might be defect at the time you’re visiting a café or bar.

Tipping in Sweden – How much?

Tips are included in the prices. It’s not uncommon that Swedes don’t pay any tips in bars and restaurants at all. Waiters and bar keepers won’t look at you angrily when you just give them the amount that’s written on the bill. That said, if you found they provided great service, you can show that by giving a tip. (Personally, I pay about 10-20%, or round up the sum when I am very satisfied with the service, but usually only at places where food is served at the table. Same with taxi drivers: Was it a pleasant ride and you had a good conversation, you can give a little extra. Again, it’s not expected.)

What should I take to Sweden?

There’s actually not that much you have to think about, apart from your standard travel equipment like passport etc. When it comes to clothing, in winter, make sure you have a pair of proper winter boots with you that can persist in snowy winter conditions. In summer, when you stay in the country side, you might want to buy mosquito spray in the local pharmacy. Other than that… no, there’s nothing specific to consider compared to other travel destinations.

Power plugs, outlets, sockets and electricity in Sweden

If you need to charge your phone or run any other electric device, here is the outlet that is common in Sweden: Type C and F als known as “ Europlug “, 230 V, the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Need an adapter? Here is one on Amazon .

Power outlet in Sweden: "Europlug", Type C and F

What food to try when you’re in Sweden

Sweden is known for their köttbullar , meat balls. You have probably tried them already at IKEA but now it’s a good opportunity to eat original Swedish meatballs, in Sweden.
For all who can’t decide whether to have a kebab or a pizza, Swedes came up with the glorious idea to combine those two in the famous kebabpizza .
When you are in a café and don’t just want to eat sugary pastry, but rather something that feels like “proper food”, order a räkmacka , a shrimp baguette or sandwich.
kanelbulle (cinnamon roll),
the green princesstårta (princess cake),
a dammsugare aka punschrulle , a little marzipan role, also green

More about traditional Swedish food, here

Communication with Swedes – “Is English widely spoken in Sweden?”

You can’t speak Swedish? Almost all Swedes speak English . So no worries, you can have a conversation with almost any Swede you meet. Still want to impress Swedes with some Swedish? Here are basic Swedish words and phrases for your Sweden trip.

Is Sweden an expensive place to visit? /How expensive is a trip to Sweden?

To be honest, it kind of is. A beer costs about 5 to 8 Euros, a Pizza around 10 and 5 kilometers in a Taxi cost about as much as a Pizza and a beer.

Sweden on a budget

Ways to save some money when you’re in Sweden:

Buy groceries at LIDL or Willy:s
a hostel (find hostels here, at Hostelworld ),
or why not try out Couchsurfing
Use public transport ( SJ Swedish Railroads )

How to go to Sweden

Travel to sweden by plane.

Stockholm : Arlanda Airport (which is not far from Uppsala as well)
Gothenburg : Landvetter Airport
Malmö : It’s usually most convenient to choose Copenhagen airport (Denmark). From there you go by train or rental car to Malmö crossing the majestic Öresund bridge which connects Sweden with Denmark.

Travel to Sweden by car

Fastest way to Sweden by car : from Germany to Sweden via Denmark. Take the ferry from Putgarden (Germany) to Rodby in Denmark. Ten about two hours by car to Copenhagen and from there via the Öresund bridge to Malmö.

List with all ferries that will take you from Germany or Denmark to Sweden

If you want to avoid ferries and only go by car

Drive via Kiel in the very North of Germany, through Denkmark, and then crossing the Öresund bridge, to arrive in Malmö. From there it’s about …

7 hours to Stockholm
3 hours to Gothenburg
2 hours to central Småland (Växjö)

If you want to stay away from ferries (due to sea sickness for example) you can travel to Sweden by car, and it doesn’t even take so much longer. Here is the route. It goes leads through Germany and Denmark.

Best Hotels in Sweden

Here is a list of hotels I have stayed at and would recommend

Stockholm: Berns
Göteborg: Comfort Hotel
Malmö: not stayed there over night yet, but here’s a list on Booking.com
Uppsala: Radisson Blu or Elite Hotel Academia (both excellent hotels)
Umeå: U&Me Hotel
Växjö (Småland): PM & Vänner (Disclaimer: haven’t exactly stayed in one of their rooms, but experienced their roof top bar and restaurant.)

Sweden for families

Best amusement parks for kids.

Astrid Lindgren’s World , Vimmerby (Småland)
Liseberg , Gothenburg
Junibacken , Stockholm
Gröna Lund , Stockholm
High Chaparral , Kulltorp (Småland)

List with all amusement parks in Sweden, here .

Other Sweden travel guides online

If you didn’t find my travel guide useful enough, you might get the information you need from one of these online guides:

Nomadic Matt
Lonely Planet
Visit Sweden

Sweden Travel Guide Book, recommendation

My recommendation for a printed Sweden Guide, for the time when you want to keep your eyes off a screen and enjoy the haptics of paper… Lonely Planet Sweden (Country Guide)

Safety tips

Yes, there are a few dangerous animals in Sweden, here is a list

Emergency number to call: 112

Official information for Sweden travellers provided by the Swedish state, for example requirements for visa etc, can be found on their Website: Sweden Abroad, here

Enjoy your trip! :)

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Reddit

Understand Swedish Quirks

In this book you’ll learn how to ...

Interact with Swedes, without embarrassing yourself
Celebrate Swedish traditions
Flirt like a Swede
Privacy Overview
Strictly Necessary Cookies
3rd Party Cookies
Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

To view our full privacy policy click here

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

This website uses Google Analyticsand Facebook Pixel to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

More information about our Cookie Policy

Experience Guide (sv, dk, no, eng)
Corporate (in Swedish)
Press & Media
Travel Trade

A person kayaking between small islands in lake Vänern during summer.

Sweden – a destination of a different nature

Discover a country where nature is always present. In our cities, in our innovations and in our minds. Our nature has affected what we eat, where we live and how we live. Welcome to a destination of a different nature. Welcome to Sweden!

Where to go

Northern Sweden
Middle Sweden
Southern Sweden
Eat & Drink
Design & Architecture
Nature & Outdoors

Explore map

Want to plan your holiday based on your interests? Select activities of choice or explore Sweden geographically.

Sweden's top spots for sustainable second-hand shopping

Seasonal highlights.

Experience a Swedish crayfish party

Swedish seafood safaris

Discover Sweden's top 10 golfing destinations

Sweden's best cycling routes - enjoy an active holiday

From castles to coastlines – a scenic road trip through Sörmland

Round trips.

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

Göta Canal – Sweden's blue ribbon

Take a road trip in beautiful Skåne and Blekinge

On the road between Gothenburg and Stockholm – a cultural adventure

Vildmarksvägen – an epic drive on Sweden’s scenic Wilderness Road

Coolcationing in Sweden: 11 ways to keep your holiday refreshing

Sweden's four seasons.

Summer in Sweden

Autumn in Sweden

Winter in Sweden

Spring in Sweden

Discover why Sweden is the perfect destination for solo travellers

Destinations to discover.

City Sigtuna – discover a thousand years of history in Sweden's oldest town

Region Halland – a coastal haven for foodies and nature lovers alike

Region Experience Öland: From Swedish royalty to nature's majesty

Region Swedish Lapland – a culture-rich natural wonderland

Region Gotland – where Viking-era history meets unique natural scenery

Region Värmland – a lake-rich haven of natural beauty

Region Dalarna – a miniature Sweden rich in nature and culture

Explore Sweden’s smaller cities and towns

Region Sörmland – a pleasure garden studded with castles

Region Västerbotten – a hotspot for unforgettable nature experiences

The High Coast of Sweden

Region Skåne – a coastal county steeped in history

Region Hälsingland – a world of cultural heritage and untouched nature

Region Västmanland – magnificent nature and history close to Stockholm

Region Bohuslän – a gem on the idyllic west coast of Sweden

City Norrköping – an outdoor haven with a rich cultural heritage

Region Uppland – where Swedish history comes to life

Unique accommodation close to nature – 28 sustainable places to stay

Places to stay.

Discover Sweden's best campsites 2024

14 castle stays near Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö

Tree hotels in Sweden – the most unusual places you ever stayed

45 hostels in Sweden that will give your budget vacation a silver lining

Top hotel brands in Sweden – from large hotel chains to playful resorts

9 extraordinary accommodations close to Swedish nature

Fika like a Swede - not just a coffe break

Taste of sweden.

8 iconic restaurants in Stockholm

Discovering Sweden's wine country: Exploring the vineyards

From fika to flatbread: 11 must-have Swedish food souvenirs

'Surströmming' – the fermented herring that Swedes love

Practical information.

12 concrete tips for travelling responsibly

Discover Sweden by train – scenic views and climate-friendly travel

Getting to and from Sweden’s airports

Public holidays in Sweden 2024

Sweden – a dream destination for you and your pet

Public transportation

Accessible travel

Allemansrätten - Sweden's right of public access

Swedish weather and climate

Capital Stockholm

Population 9,894,888

Area 450,295 km 2

Sweden is a member state of the European Union located in Northern Europe. There are 2 countries ( Finland , Norway ) that Sweden shares its borders with. The official language of Sweden is Swedish . Although English isn’t the official language, the majority of people in Sweden are good English speakers.

EF EPI’s 2021 rankings placed Sweden 8th among 100 nations out of non-native English-speaking countries.

The national currency in Sweden is Swedish krona (SEK). The krona (kr) is subdivided into 100 ören .

Swedish Banknotes

kr20 kr50 kr100 kr500 kr1000

Swedish Coins

kr1 kr5 kr10

Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com , Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.

Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Sweden is 233.52 Mbps and mobile is 168.56 Mbs. The global average is 192.09 Mbps and 127.09 Mbps respectively.

ATM Density When compared to the world average, Sweden has less ATMs. 28.30 ATMs per 100,000 people. The global average is 39.49.

SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Sweden, a passport or ID is required as identification.

Socket types

There are 2 socket types used in Sweden. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.

Type C 230 V, 50 Hz Type F 230 V, 50 Hz

The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).

Public holidays

In the year 2024, Sweden will celebrate 16 national public holidays. The next one All Saints’ Day will take place on November 2.

EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)

What hotel chains are present in Sweden?

There are no Mariott hotels in Sweden.

The Hilton hotel chain operates in Sweden .

The IHG hotel chain operates in Sweden .

The Best Western hotel chain operates in Sweden .

There are Radisson hotels in 7 cities .

The Accor hotel chain operates in Sweden .

What fast food chains are present in Sweden?

The McDonald’s chain operates in Sweden .

The KFC chain operates in Sweden .

The Burger King chain operates in Sweden .

The Subway chain operates in Sweden .

The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Sweden .

The Starbucks chain operates in Sweden .

Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)

What is the weather like in Stockholm?

Weather data for Stockholm (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com

Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.

Subway Systems The subway system is available in Stockholm .

Taxi Apps You can use Uber in 3 cities . Bolt is available in 14 cities .

Car Rental Avis , Sixt , Hertz are all available in Sweden.

Road Connectivity Index (2016) With a score of 6.8 , Sweden is placed 4th out of 129 nations.

Driving Side In Sweden traffic is right-handed .

List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)

Theft Occurrence Rate 3,079.00 thefts per 100,000 people in 2020. The global average is 544.

Road Traffic Casualties 3.10 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. The global average is 16.74.

Travel Advisory Level (U.S. DoS) Level 2 : Exercise increased caution.

Emergency phones in Sweden

Sweden Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
Travel Advice for Sweden (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

Smoking & Alcohol

Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations , with limited exceptions.

Cananbis legality Recreational usage: Illegal Medical usage: Legal in certain circumstances

You must be at least 20 years of age to bring alcohol into Sweden.

Alcohol allowance

Travellers from EU countries:

90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
110L of beer
10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.

Travellers from non-EU countries:

16L of beer
1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume

Tobacco allowance

800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Travelling to Sweden (Swedish Customs)
List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution.

Travel Advisories |
Contact Us |
MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Sweden Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2024, sweden - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review without changes

Exercise increased caution in Sweden due to  terrorism .

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sweden. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Sweden.

If you decide to travel to Sweden:

Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
Review the  Country Security Report  for Sweden.
Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution.

Travel Advisories |
Contact Us |
MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

You are about to visit:

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

An agency of the European Union

Infectious disease topics

Mpox is a viral disease that is usually transmitted from animals to humans. The disease is caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is present in the wildlife (in certain small mammals) in several central- and west-African countries.

In 2022, an outbreak occurred Europe and spread globally, in which the disease was transmitted between humans, mainly through sexual contact, although this type of transmission is not the most common form of transmission.

Since November 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has seen a significant increase in mpox cases and the emergence of a new mpox clade I variant.

Mpox - the new old threat to health

Mpox symptoms usually appear 6–13 days (up to 21 days) after infection. The clinical manifestation of the disease include:

general, febrile symptoms (fever, headache, chills, physical weakness, lymph node swelling),

distinct rash (papule) on the skin and sores on the mucosa (e.g., in the mouth, nose, throat, or digestive tract),

back pain and muscle aches.

Within three days of experiencing the initial symptoms, the rash may spread quickly and eventually turns into small fluid-filled sacs known as vesicles. If the rash spreads throughout the body, it can also affect the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms that usually last two to four weeks, followed by a full recovery. Supportive care may facilitate recovery and reduce the risk for permanent lesions (e.g., scars on the skin).

Risk for people

The severity of the disease can vary depending on several factors including how the virus is transmitted, how susceptible the person is to the virus, and how much of the virus a person is exposed to.

Complications of mpox in areas where it is most common include:

encephalitis

related bacterial skin infections

dehydration

conjunctivitis

inflammation of the cornea

long-term effects such as disfiguring scars and permanent corneal lesions.

The mortality rate of mpox ranges from 0-11% in outbreaks, with young children being the most affected. Immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of severe disease and HIV-positive patients may experience more severe symptoms.

How it spreads

The MPXV is transmitted to people by close contact with infected animals or people, or by touching virus-contaminated materials. It enters the body through (often invisible) injuries or wounds in the skin, or the mucous membranes. Mpox can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact and the risk of infection increases after sexual exposure.

Vaccination and treatment

Most people completely recover from mpox without treatment. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and supportive (alleviation of fever, itchy skin, pain, and hydration), including the prevention and treatment of related bacterial infections.

Vaccination against mpox provides protection against the disease.

Protective measures

When someone is diagnosed with mpox, it is important they isolate themselves until their rash completely heals, as this indicates that they can no longer transmit the disease. General protective recommendations include:

Isolate yourself in your room and do not share household items with other members of the family.

Avoid contact with immunocompromised persons and other persons at risk for severe disease until the rash heals completely.

You can temporarily leave your home, but you should wear a medical face mask and make sure to cover the rash before going out.

Maintain good respiratory and hand hygiene and wear a face mask when in contact with other people.

Abstain from sexual activity until the rash heals completely.

Mpox resources

Factsheet for health professionals on mpox

Mpox (monkeypox) is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV). The clinical presentation is similar to smallpox.

Resources for health professionals on mpox

Key facts, epidemiological and surveillance data, and guidance on mpox (monkeypox) for public health professionals.

Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) resources for mpox

ECDC has produced several documents that address RCCE and provide examples of ongoing RCCE activities in the EU/EEA countries, as well as tools for public health authorities.

Latest outputs

News and reports
Risk assessments

Epidemiological update

Mpox due to monkeypox virus clade I

Surveillance and monitoring

Communicable disease threats report, 17-23 August 2024, week 34

Public health guidance

Mpox (MPX) Reporting Protocol 2024

Communicable disease threats report, 10-16 august 2024, week 33.

Press release

ECDC recommends enhancing preparedness as more imported cases of clade I mpox highly likely

Risk assessment

Risk assessment for the EU/EEA of the mpox epidemic caused by monkeypox virus clade I in affected African countries

Implications for the eu/eea of the outbreak of mpox caused by monkeypox virus clade i in the democratic republic of the congo, monkeypox multi-country outbreak - second update, monkeypox multi-country outbreak - first update, risk assessment: monkeypox multi-country outbreak.

Etias for Americans
ETIAS for Brazilians
Etias for Australians
More countries
Application
Blog (current)

Is It Safe to Travel to Sweden?

In this article

Is Sweden Safe to Visit? The Country's Crime Rates and Most Common Crimes

Political situation and civil unrest, is sweden dangerous the risk of terrorist attacks, road safety, public transportation, and local customs, relevant local laws and customs, alcohol policy and laws on illegal substances, sweden covid-19 restrictions and preventative measures, climate and natural disasters to be mindful of, arctic tourism - travel advice.

Avoid solo tours
Ensure you’re in good physical condition before embarking on any activity
Be well prepared, and come with the right equipment
Stick to marked trails
Check for extreme weather conditions and potential hazards and set off only when it is safe to do so
Keep your family or close friends informed of your itinerary
Get travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and emergency rescue

In the End: Do You Need a Visa to Go to Sweden?

The verdict: how safe is sweden, written by: fikayomi abisola, 1. is it safe to travel to sweden during the ukraine war, 2. is it safe to travel to stockholm, sweden, 3. is it safe to travel alone in sweden, 4. is it safe for americans to travel to sweden.

France Digital Nomad Visa

Poland digital nomad visa, austria digital nomad visa, low tax countries in europe, is the czech republic safe, is iceland safe, serbia digital nomad visa, montenegro digital nomad visa, latvia digital nomad visa, finland digital nomad visa, romania digital nomad visa, eu postpones introduction of etias travel system to 2024, how much does a trip to spain cost, cyprus digital nomad visa, everything you need to know about etias denial, countries felons can visit, hungary digital nomad visa, winter in spain, italy digital nomad visa, is it safe to travel to italy, venice in winter, norway vs sweden, moving to spain from the usa, is spain safe, italy solo travel, new year in europe, best european cities to visit in december, winter in germany, hidden gems of italy, best christmas markets in europe, italian winter, paris traveling tips, living in spain as an expat, winter in france, best time to visit greece, best time to visit norway, is it safe to travel to germany, is croatia safe, croatia digital nomad visa: a definitive guide, is it safe to travel to poland, norway digital nomad visa, greece digital nomad visa, is it safe to travel to norway, portugal digital nomad visa, estonia digital nomad visa, the roadmap to spain digital nomad visa, your in-depth guide to germany digital nomad visa, best european countries for expats, tips you need to know when traveling europe, 15 greek islands americans love to visit, us citizen migrate to germany, the best places to visit in germany when travelling from usa, a few things to know before traveling from america to greece, can americans live safely in germany, germany or the united states - which is cheaper to live in, places for americans to visit when travelling to greece, what is the best startup visa scheme in europe, the key information you need to know about the european union visa policy changes, how does ees differ from etias - everything you should know, how long can british citizens stay in europe, how long can you stay in europe without a visa, digital nomad visas in eu countries, which countries has the uk agreed trade deals with, schengen visa: requirements & application, all information about european golden visa, europe travel: why/when will you need etias, eu blue card: what is it, and what is it for, requirements for uk citizens when travelling to europe, where can americans travel in europe, differences between eu, eea, efta, and schengen countries, european health insurance card, who needs a schengen visa.

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions

ETIAS.org is a privately owned website and it’s not operated by the government.

ETIAS.com is an informational site for ETIAS. The site contains paid links from our partners.

IMAGES

Sweden Travel Advisory Map as of November 18th...
Sweden Travel Advice & Safety
Travel advisory levels of European countries. ...
Sweden Map
Sweden
Sweden Travel Guide

COMMENTS

Sweden Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory. July 24, 2024. Sweden - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. T. Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise increased caution in Sweden due to terrorism. Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sweden. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations ...
Sweden Travel Advisory
These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Sweden from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.5 out of 5.0. Danger level: 2 - Travel is usually safe. This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.
Global Travel Risk Map
Global Travel Risk Map. Daily updated risk assessment for all countries. Extreme Warning (index value: 4.5 - 5) You should avoid any trips. A high warning index is a sound indicator of potential harm to your health and well-being. High Risk (index value: 3.5 - 4.5) Travel should be reduced to a necessary minimum and be conducted with good ...
Travel advice and advisories for Sweden
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa.
FACT SHEET: United States Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in
CDC has issued an updated Health Alert Network advisory for clinicians and public health departments and partners, as well as an updated Travel Health Notice, recommending travelers to DRC and neighboring countries to practice enhanced precautions. Through the State Department, our embassies are working to keep U.S. citizens abroad informed of ...
Information for travellers in regards to Covid-19
Recommendations and regulations when in Sweden. There are no longer any restrictions in Sweden due to Covid-19. Read more at krisinformation.se: "Current rules and recommendations". Travelling from Sweden. Please keep yourself informed of the different regulations that may apply in different countries for travelling from Sweden.
Sweden travel advice
Still current at: 25 August 2024 Updated: 16 August 2024 Latest update: Addition of a link about Swedish government advice on Mpox (see 'Health' page).
Where can I travel to? Travel Restrictions by Country
Many countries are reopening their borders for international travel. Find out which countries are open to vaccinated travelers. Just enter your departure country above - the map will update to reflect countries' opening status and any entry requirements for air travelers. Before you book, be sure to double check your country's official ...
Ministry for Foreign Affairs extends advice against travel due to the
As of 1 June, Sweden's advice against travel will also be lifted for countries on the EU's exemption list. These are currently: Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. The Ministry advises against non-essential travel to all other countries. This decision applies until 1 July.
Advice against travel due to COVID-19 pandemic extended to 15 October
Published 26 August 2021. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to extend its advice against non-essential travel to most countries until 15 October. The pandemic is not over and the situation around the world is still uncertain and highly changeable. For this reason, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to extend the advice ...
International travel
In Sweden, travel cover for 45 days is usually included in your home insurance. Please check with your insurance company for terms and conditions. You may also have some insurance cover if you have purchased your trip with a bank card. Check with the card issuer for details. If you are travelling within the EU/EEA, you must bring your European ...
Sweden
Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US ... Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Sweden for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you. ... Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do ...
Sweden International Travel Information
Sweden is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Visit the Embassy of Sweden website for the most current visa information.. Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
Sweden Travel Advice & Safety
Sweden has abolished passport and border controls within the Schengen area. Schengen visa rules apply. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Sweden for the latest details. Sweden's official currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK). Full travel advice: Travel
Mpox: What you need to know about the latest public health emergency
How does mpox spread? Human to human: Touching, sex and talking or breathing close to someone with mpox can generate infectious respiratory particles, but more research is needed on how the virus spreads during outbreaks in different settings and conditions, says WHO. What scientists do know is that it is also possible for the virus to persist for some time on clothing, bedding, towels ...
W.H.O. Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Outbreak
The outbreak that year stayed mostly within tight sexual networks, among gay and bisexual men. A combination of behavioral changes and vaccination tamped down the spread.. In the United States ...
12 tips for travelling responsibly
Sweden is the world's most sustainable travel destination, according to Euromonitor International's 2023 Sustainable Travel Index. Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, has ranked as the world's most sustainable destination according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index seven times in a row.Liseberg, one of the city's main attractions, was the first amusement park in the ...
Sweden
Bilateral Economic Relations. Sweden is a member of the European Union (EU). The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, and the United States and the EU continue to pursue initiatives to create new opportunities for transatlantic commerce. Sweden is highly dependent on exports, is strongly pro-free ...
Sweden Travel Guide
Short distance to Swedes when standing in line. Spanking your children even slightly (illegal). Sweden is a child-friendly country. Already in 1979 Sweden became the first country to ban corporal punishment of children. " Beating or spanking a child is also a criminal offence according to the Swedish Penal Code".
Sweden's official website for tourism and travel information
Sweden - a destinationof a different nature. Sweden - a destination. of a different nature. Discover a country where nature is always present. In our cities, in our innovations and in our minds. Our nature has affected what we eat, where we live and how we live. Welcome to a destination of a different nature.
Travel Advisory For Sweden
Travel Advisory Level (U.S. DoS) Level 2: Exercise increased caution. Emergency phones in Sweden. 112 Police. 112 Ambulance. 112 Fire police. Show data sources and references. Sources. Sweden Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State) Travel Advice for Sweden (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
Sweden Travel Facts
Cultural Practices. Swedish society is based on equality and individualism. Swedes are proud of their nation and its accomplishments. Lagom, which means "not too much, not too little…just right" is a word often used and heard in Sweden. Swedes also have a profound respect for integrity.
Sweden activates mpox contact tracing, prepares virus containment
Sweden's Public Health Agency issued travel recommendations for people going to areas with an outbreak of clade 1b. The recommendations aim to help travellers avoid infection and also provide ...
Sweden Travel Advisory
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. Travel.State.Gov > Travel Advisories > Sweden Travel Advisory. Congressional Liaison; Special Issuance Agency; Legal Resources
Travel Advisories
Sweden Travel Advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution: July 24, 2024: Switzerland Travel Advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions: July 26, 2023: ... Saba Travel Advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions: August 19, 2024: Take 90 Seconds for Safer Travel. Travel Advisory Levels.
Mpox
Mpox is a viral disease that is usually transmitted from animals to humans. The disease is caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is present in the wildlife (in certain small mammals) in several central- and west-African countries.. In 2022, an outbreak occurred Europe and spread globally, in which the disease was transmitted between humans, mainly through sexual contact, although this ...
Is It Safe to Travel to Sweden? Travel Advisory for Sweden
It is safe to travel to Sweden during the Ukrainian war. Sweden does not share borders with Ukraine or Russia, and the warring countries are not members of the EU. Also, Swedish authorities have not issued any travel warnings regarding the war. 2.
Sweden Travel Advisory Map as of November 18th 2023 : r/MapPorn
Sweden Travel Advisory Map as of November 18th 2023. 3M subscribers in the MapPorn community. High quality images of maps.

Global Travel Risk Map

Language selection

Sweden travel advice

On this page

Petty crime

Violent crime

Heightened threat of terrorism

Demonstrations

Adventure and arctic tourism

Road safety

Public transportation

Trains and buses

Useful links

Temporary border controls

Regular Canadian passport

Passport for official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

Other travel documents

Other entry requirements

Yellow fever

Relevant Travel Health Notices

Routine vaccines

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

Safe food and water precautions

Insect bite prevention

Animal precautions

Person-to-person infections

Medical services and facilities

Keep in Mind...

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

Compulsory military service

Physical punishment of children

Use of public land

Congestion charges

Climate change

Local services

Consular assistance

Risk Levels

Exercise a high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

FACT SHEET: United States Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in Several African Countries

CDC Newsroom

Cookies on GOV.UK

Warnings and insurance

Travel insurance

About FCDO travel advice

Related content

Help us improve GOV.UK

International Travel Restrictions by Country

Destinations you can travel to now

Filter by region, status and more

American Samoa

Antigua And Barbuda

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Brunei Darussalam

Caribbean Netherlands

Cayman Islands

Cook Islands

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Faroe Islands

Federated States of Micronesia

French Guiana

French Polynesia

Guinea-Bissau

Ivory Coast

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Macedonia

Northern Mariana Islands

Papua New Guinea