CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Sweden

1. RECENT UPDATES

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

BACK TO TOP

2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Sweden

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Sweden do not experience problems.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

BACK TO TOP

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

The crime rate is lower than in most European countries. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs in tourist areas, on public transportation, and in restaurants, particularly during the summer months in urban areas. Pickpockets and purse snatchers may work in teams; one distracts the victim and another commits the robbery. Hotel lobbies and breakfast rooms attract professional, well-dressed thieves. Remain vigilant and ensure valuables are secure.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur periodically. They should be avoided, as they can turn violent without notice. You should also follow the advice of the local authorities at all times.

General Safety Information

For emergency assistance, call 112.

BACK TO TOP

4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Swedish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of Sweden and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Sweden. The passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay in the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required
Student Resident Permit: Required (for stays more than 90 days)
Work Permit: Required

---

Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

---

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult the European Commission's website page on Cash controls.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Swedish authorities recognize same-sex marriages.

BACK TO TOP

5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Sweden - STOCKHOLM, Embassy of Canada
Address: 23 Klarabergsgatan, Stockholm, Sweden
Postal Address: P.O. Box 16129 , Stockholm, Sweden, 10323
Tel.: 46 (0) 8 453-3000
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 46 (0) 8 453-3016
E-Mail: stkhm-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Sweden.gc.ca

Sweden - GOTHENBURG, Consulate of Canada
Address: Viktor Rydbergsgatan 10, 411 32 Gothenburg, Sweden
Tel.: 46 (0) 31 707 4288
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 46 (0) 31 154 099
E-Mail: per@jessing.nu

Sweden - MALMÖ, Consulate of Canada
Address: Canadian Oil Co. AB, Verkstadsgatan 4, 233 51 Svedala, Sweden
Tel.: 46 (0) 40 402 351
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 46 (0) 40 403 112

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Stockholm and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa toll-free at 00 800 2326-6831 (does not work from mobile telephones or pay phones).

BACK TO TOP

6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

BACK TO TOP

7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of healthcare is high, and excellent medical care is widely available.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in coastal areas, especially the Stockholm Archipelago, from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 flu virus.

BACK TO TOP

8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Sweden are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Sweden to request to be transferred to Canada to serve the remainder of their sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Swedish authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Some substances, such as khat, legal in other European countries, are prohibited in Sweden. There are strict penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs.

Penalties for drunk driving are severe, including possible imprisonment and a heavy fine.

Firearms, medications, and pharmaceuticals may be subject to strict import or export regulations. Contact the Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa for specific information on customs requirements.

BACK TO TOP

9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

The road network is excellent. Some roads, particularly in northern areas, may be closed in winter. Consult local news and weather reports prior to travel. Headlights must be on at all times. Vehicles must be fitted with winter tires from December 1st to March 31. The use of seatbelts is mandatory. Approved child or booster seats are required for children under seven. A toll bridge connects Sweden with Denmark.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02%.

A congestion tax is imposed on Swedish-registered vehicles entering and exiting Stockholm on weekdays between 6:30 a.m. and 6:29 p.m. For more information, visit the Swedish Transport Agency website.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

Public Transportation

Taxis are available, but expensive. Public transportation is convenient, reliable, and punctual. Modern trains operate throughout the country. Extensive and efficient ferry services operate between other countries in the Baltic Sea.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

---

The currency is the Swedish krona (SEK). Credit cards are widely accepted in major shops, restaurants, and hotels. ABMs are widely available.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

BACK TO TOP

10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Rockslides, floods, and windstorms present a risk. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Stockholm (see Section 5 above) in the event of an emergency.

BACK TO TOP

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

BACK TO TOP

12. ANNEX

N/A

BACK TO TOP