Last updated:  12/15/2020

Country-Specific Information:

• On December 14, Sweden enacted stricter national regulations and general advice to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  This guidance can be found at the Krisinformation.se website, and will last until June 20, 2021.
• Public gatherings and events are limited to a maximum of 8 individuals.  The restrictions apply to dance events, religious gatherings, cultural and sporting events, and demonstrations.  However, funerals are exempt and are allowed a maximum of 20 participants.
• Restaurants, cafés, and pubs are allowed to operate, but are required to limit the size of dining parties and implement other measures to avoid crowding.  The serving of alcohol is prohibited between 22:00 and 11:00 until February 28, 2021.
• Face masks are not required in public areas and are generally not worn.
• On April 1, the government announced a new regulation that restricts pharmacies from dispensing more than a 90-day supply of medicine to patients.  The restriction is valid until further notice and applies to medicines for humans and animals.
• On March 10, the Swedish Public Health Agency raised the level of risk for the spread of COVID-19 to Very High — the highest tier of the five-point scale.  They recommended that any individuals exhibiting even mild symptoms of respiratory infection should forego social contact, which could spread infection.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?  No.
  • Sweden has temporarily banned the entry of all foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, from entering the EU via Sweden until December 22, 2020. However, there are exceptions, including for students and certain travelers.  For more information, including exceptions to the ban, please refer to the announcement  or  the Government’s Q&As on the entry ban.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry?  No.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  No.
• Travelers or residents in Sweden who need to apply for or extend their legal status in Sweden should contact the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).

Movement Restrictions:

• Is a curfew in place?  No.
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?  No.
• U.S. citizens in southern Sweden wishing to travel to Copenhagen for consular services please take note!  The Danish government updates its  border entry guidance  weekly and identifies which regions of Sweden are considered “open” for the purposes of travel to Denmark.  This guidance can change without notice and should be reviewed prior to traveling to Denmark for consular services.  U.S. citizen Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad applicants residing in an open region within Sweden should review the  U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen webpage  to confirm which services are available.  U.S. citizens in Sweden who require emergency consular services may contact the  U.S. Embassy in Stockholm.

Quarantine Information:

• Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine?  No.
  • Different countries have chosen different solutions when it comes to travel recommendations and control of healthy evacuees and travelers from affected areas.  Sweden, like other Nordic countries, follows guidelines and recommendations from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).  Quarantine in its compulsory form is considered an extreme measure, which is strictly regulated by the Infection Protection Act and is not currently considered justified.
  • In Sweden, most preventative measures do not involve involuntary quarantine.  Instead, individuals are expected to act responsibly and follow the given recommendations, including immediately seeking out medical assistance if signs of infection appear.  If the recommendations are not adhered to, a designated physician in the relevant medical region can decide on mandatory quarantine or isolation.

COVID-19 Testing:

• PCR tests (confirming the presence of the Novel Coronavirus in sick individuals) and antibody tests are available in Sweden.  Testing in Sweden is organized by regional and local authorities and is primarily conducted through private clinics.  Individuals who do not possess Swedish citizenship or residency are expected to pay all the costs of testing, and costs vary depending on the clinic conducting the test.
• To book a test, or for more information on testing, individuals may dial 1177 in Sweden or visit the Krisinformation.se website.

Transportation Options:

• Are commercial flights operating?  Yes.
  • Commercial flight options to the United States remain available from Stockholm via Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Zurich.
• Is public transportation operating?  Yes.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

• Swedish police can cancel or disband a public gathering or event with more than eight people and anyone who organizes an event that violates the restrictions may face a fine or prison sentence of a maximum of six months.

Consular Operations:

• All visitors to the U.S. Embassy, including those for U.S. Citizen services and visa appointments, are required to wear face coverings at all times while inside the Embassy and Consular Section.  Visitors are expected to bring their own masks/face coverings when visiting and may be turned away if they are unable to comply with this requirement.  Please visit  this CDC webpage  for tips on how to create and effectively use cloth face coverings.
• The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm has resumed limited passport, citizenship, and emergency and mission critical notarial service appointments.  If you are eligible to  renew your passport by mail, use this option  to avoid wait times for an in-person appointment.   Please visit our websites for passports,  Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, or notarial services  for more information about eligibility, required documents and fees, or to schedule an appointment.  If you have an emergency and you are unable to book a passport appointment online, you may contact the ACS unit by email at  StkACSinfo@state.gov. 
• Nonimmigrant Visas – The Consular Section has resumed limited nonimmigrant visa services for students, humanitarian or emergency travel, and limited employment-based visas for those who qualify for national interest exceptions.
• Immigrant Visas – The Consular Section is processing a limited number of family-based visas, employment-based visas for healthcare professionals, and visas for emergency or Mission-critical travel.

Local Resources:

• • Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
  • Swedish Public Health Agency
  • U.S. Embassy Stockholm’s Most Recent Alerts
  • Government of Sweden FAQ on Entry Restrictions
  • Swedish Border Police Information on Implementation of Entry Restrictions
  • Swedish Migration Agency
  • EU Resource on Travel Information for Member States

Other links:   

• • COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
  • CDC page on COVID-19
  • Department of State Information and Travel Advisory Page for Sweden
  • IRS guidance and Information on Coronavirus Tax Relief and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act