Travel to Sweden

Sweden: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

Tourists are only allowed to enter the country if they have a return ticket and sufficient financial resources to finance their stay in the country themselves.

German nationals can enter Sweden with a passport, identity card, temporary passport or temporary identity card. For children up to the age of sixteen, entry is possible with a child ID card or with an entry in the passport of one of the parents. There are no special regulations for minors traveling alone or with only one custodian. All entry documents must be valid upon entry and for the duration of the stay. The travel document for foreigners with a valid German residence permit is recognized.

Issuing of visas in Germany

Visa department of the Embassy of Sweden

Rauchstrasse 1

10787 Berlin

Tel: +49 – (0) 30 – 50 50 60

Fax: +49 – (0) 30 – 50 50 67 89

Issuing of visas in Austria and Switzerland

See under Representations of Sweden in Austria and Representations of Sweden in Switzerland.

Import and export of foreign currency

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency.

Import and export of goods The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.

The maximum quantities for duty-free import of goods per EU citizen (over 20 years) are 1 l of spirits over 22 percent by volume or 6 liters of wine or liqueur over 15 percent by volume, 26 liters of wine and 32 liters of beer. People over the age of 18 are allowed to import 300 cigarettes or 150 cigarillos or 75 cigars or 400 g of tobacco duty-free. The dose will be increased further to reach the full EU zone maximum levels by 2004. Lower amounts apply to travelers from non-EU countries. The import of all kinds of weapons, including tear gas and switchblades, requires a permit.

Entry with pets

Since July 3rd, 2004 new regulations apply to the importation of pets into Sweden.

For every pet that is to be imported into Sweden, the owner must have an EU pet passport. This card can be issued by any resident veterinarian. In order to be able to guarantee a clear identification, every imported pet must be chipped or tattooed.

In addition, when entering Sweden, each animal must be vaccinated against rabies and tested for rabies antibodies. This antibody test must have been carried out at least 120 days before entry and must not be more than 365 days ago.

Every pet that is to be imported into Sweden must also have been treated with praziquantel against dwarf tapeworm (Echinococcus spp). This treatment must not be more than ten days ago when you entered the country.

Animals younger than three months are not allowed to enter Sweden.

Transporting animals with an accompanying person (keeper)

In this case, proceed as follows: At the airport, the animal is locked in a transport box provided by the keeper beforehand. It must be ensured that the container is large enough for the animal to stand in it and turn around, and that no liquids can run out (urine). This is done using suitable absorbent material, in the simplest case using a sufficient amount of newspaper.

There should also be a water bowl and, depending on the length of the flight, enough food. The transport container is handed over to the staff at the check-in counter. The transport fee depends on the weight of the animal. It is essential to ensure that there is space for the animal on the flight booked, as the number of animals that can be transported is limited.

The animal is located in the machine in an air-conditioned area between the passenger deck and the cargo area. As a rule, no member of the crew takes care of the animal during the flight, not even to give water or food.

However, experience has shown that the stress of checking in and the take-off phase is so stressful for most animals that they sleep for most of the flight. The administration of sedatives before check-in is not only not recommended, as their effects cannot be foreseen under these conditions, but is even prohibited for reasons of security (smuggling). Many airlines also exclude a number of dogs (attack dogs) from transport.

Animal transport without an accompanying person

In this case, a specialist company must be commissioned with the transport, which then takes care of everything else. However, it should be ensured that the animal is picked up at the arrival airport by someone who is familiar to the dog. And of course all import regulations for pets for the country have to be explored beforehand and strictly adhered to.

Note

It has proven to be very helpful if you have accustomed the animal to such a transport container at home a few weeks before the intended flight.

Sweden: travel and transport

How do you get to Sweden?

The quickest way to get to Sweden is by plane. International airports are located in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. There are direct flights with Finnair, SAS or Lufthansa to Stockholm-Arlanda or Gothenburg-Landvetter, which operate daily. But also by car. Sweden can be reached easily and comfortably with the help of a ferry.

Travel in the country

Air connections

Numerous smaller airfields serve the connections within Sweden.

Rail

The rail network covers around 11,000 km.

Bus

There are numerous inner-city bus routes and very good intercity buses that connect cities and towns. Some cities in Sweden are served by regular buses from Germany. From the central bus station in Stockholm there are long-distance buses to all parts of Sweden.

Roads

Sweden has a mostly well-developed road network of around 98,000 km with around 1,450 km of motorways.

Rental cars Rental cars

can be rented in all major cities in Sweden.

Ferry connections

There are several international ferry connections and ferry connections to the Swedish islands, such as Öland or Gotland.

Traffic rules

Seat belts are compulsory in Sweden. Even during the day you always have to drive with low beam. Running the engine at idle is prohibited in many locations or limited to a few minutes. The driver’s license must always be carried. A green insurance card is not mandatory, but recommended. You are not allowed to stop 20 meters before and 5 meters after a public transport stop. Trams always have right of way.

Maximum speeds

The speed limits are very strictly controlled in Sweden and high fines are imposed if they are exceeded. The maximum speed on European roads (E) is 110 km/h, on the blue-signposted Reichsstraßen (RV) it is 90 km/h, in places 50 or 30 km/h with appropriate signs.

Alcohol limit The alcohol limit in road traffic is 0.2. There are high penalties if exceeded – up to imprisonment.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, Sweden’s international license plate is:

S.

Tourist office

VisitSweden Tourist Information

Stortorget 2-4

831 30 Östersund

Fax: 0046 – 63 128 137

Contact

from Germany:

Tel: 0049 – 069 – 2222 3496

E-mail:

Travel medicine, risks

The health system, including the rescue system, is exemplary in Sweden and in every respect comparable to the German one.

Infectious Diseases

The following infectious diseases are particularly likely in Sweden:

  • Borreliosis, from tick bites when hiking through bush and forest areas
  • Early summer meningoencephalitis, caused by tick bites when hiking through bush and forest areas

Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Sweden, the same vaccinations are recommended as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland:

  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
  • Tick-borne encephalitis (FSMS), which, like Lyme disease, is transmitted by ticks.
  • Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Hazards/current warning notices

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

Current warning notices:

www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Sweden: currency, shopping and exchange rate

The national currency of Sweden is the Swedish krona = 100 ore.

Although Sweden is part of the EU, due to a referendum in September 2003 it did not become a member of the monetary union with the common currency of the EURO (€).

The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:

  • 20th
  • 50
  • 100
  • 500
  • 1,000
  • 10,000 crowns

As well as coins with the following values:

  • 1
  • 5
  • 10
  • 50

Conversion rate

You can find a currency converter here:

www3.forium.de

Bank opening hours

Banks at airports, train stations and the ferry terminals often have extended opening hours.

  • Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 9.30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: closed

Shop

Shop opening times

In Sweden shop opening times are not regulated. Large shops and supermarkets are often open until 9 p.m. in the evening, and longer, Saturday and Sunday until around 6 p.m.

Sweden: embassies, consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Sweden embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Sweden in Germany

The building of the Swedish embassy is located on Rauchstrasse in the diplomatic quarter in the Tiergarten district in Berlin’s Mitte district.

“Each for himself and yet together”. That is the motto of the five Nordic embassies that have combined their messages in this ensemble of buildings. In addition to the embassy of Sweden, this also includes the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.

A wide “copper band” consisting of individual slats connects all five embassy buildings around the outside. The Swedish embassy is adjacent to the Finnish embassy. Towards the street, the lamellas of the copper strip surrounding the ensemble were interrupted so that the walls clad with birch wood and the striking spiral staircase can also be seen from the outside. The Felleshus (community center) is used by all five embassies, where concerts, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions or conferences take place – there is also a canteen that is accessible to all visitors.

The entire ensemble of the five embassies is bordered by Rauchstrasse – the official address – as well as Klingenhöferstrasse and Stülerstrasse. You can reach the five embassies with the bus lines 100, 106, 187 and the night bus N 26, whose stop is on Klingelhöferstraße directly in front of the embassies, and with the bus line 200, whose stop is at the beginning of Stülerstraße.

Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Berlin

Rauchstr. 1

10787 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 505 060

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 505 067 89

E-Mail: ambassaden.berlin@foreign.ministry.se

Web: www.schweden.org

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Altenwall 6

28195 Bremen

Tel: 0049 – (0) 421-2 23 93 54

Fax: 0049 – (0) 421-2 23 99 58

E-Mail: schwedischeskonsulat.hb@t-online.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Berliner Allee 32

40212 Düsseldorf

Tel: 0049 – (0) 211-3 23 84 57

Fax: 0049 – (0) 211-3 23 97 52

E-Mail: konsulat@schwedenkammer.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Schlösserstraße 20-22

99084 Erfurt

Tel: 0049 – (0) 361-3 46 24 98

Fax: 0049 – (0) 361-3 48 42 85

E-Mail: info@schwedenkonsulat.de

Web: www.schwedenkonsulat.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Bockenheimer Landstrasse 51-53

60325 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69-79 40 26 15

Fax: 0049 – (0) 69-79 40 26 16

E-Mail: konsulat@msa.se

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Ditmar-Koel Strasse 36

20459 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40-24 82 76 64

Fax: 0049 – (0) 40-64 50 60 63

E-Mail: honorarkonsulat.schweden.hh@t-online.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Tresckowstraße 5

30457 Hanover

Tel: 0049 – (0) 511-4 39 25 61

Fax: 0049 – (0) 511-4 39 25 65

E-Mail: maud.wulf@eon-energie.com

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Hopfenstrasse 31

24103 Kiel

Tel: 0049 – (0) 431-6 60 78 75

Fax: 0049 – (0) 431-6 60 77 77

E-Mail: konsulat.schweden.kiel@web.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Goerdelerring 5

04109 Leipzig

Tel: 0049 – (0) 341-30 85 110

Fax: 0049 – (0) 341-30 85 120

E-Mail: pl@schwedenkonsulat.com

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Zum Hafenplatz 1

23570 Lübeck-Travemünde

Tel: 0049 – (0) 4502-80 13 71

Fax: 0049 – (0) 4502-80 13 72

E-Mail: Konsulat@ttline.com

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Brienner Strasse 9

80333 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89-54 52 12 15

Fax: 0049 – (0) 89-54 52 11 09

E-Mail: schwedisches.honorarkonsulat@wernerlaw.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Altkarlshof 6

18146 Rostock

Tel: 0049 – (0) 381-6 58 67 51

Fax: 0049 – (0) 381-6 58 66 10

E-Mail: schwedisches-konsulat@fsn.de

Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Sweden

Rotebühlstrasse 77

70178 Stuttgart

Tel: 0049 – (0) 711-66 72 19 99

Fax: 0049 – (0) 711-66 72 20 14

E-Mail: h.bauer@klett.de

German representations in Sweden

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Stockholm

Artillerigatan 64

114 45 Stockholm

Tel: 0046 – 8 – 670 15 00

Fax: 0046 – 8 – 670 15 72

E-Mail: info@stockholm.diplo.de

Web: www.stockholm.diplo.de

Consulates

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Advokatfirman Vinge KB, Nils Ericssonsgatan 17

411 03 Göteborg

Tel: 0046 – 31 – 722 36 00

Fax: 0046 – 31 – 722 37 00

E-Mail: fredrik.vinge@vinge.se

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

c/o Handelskammaren i Jönköpings län Elmiavägen

554 54 Jönköping

Tel: 0046 – 36 – 30 14 39

Fax: 0046 – 36 – 12 95 79

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

c/o Kalmarturism AB, Ölandskajen 9

392 32 Kalmar

Tel: 0046 – 480 – 4177 10

Fax: 0046 – 480 – 41 77 20

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

c/o Arkitekthuset Monarken, Storgatan 42

971 06 Luleå

Tel: 0046 – 920 – 398 00

Fax: 0046 – 920 – 398 29

E-Mail: Hans.walloschke@monarken.se

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Norra Vallgatan 70

211 22 Malmö

Tel: 0046 – 40 – 611 85 95

Fax: 0046 – 40 -) 23 51 65

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Sälens Högfjällshotell780 67 Sälen

Tel: 0046 – 280 – 870 21

Fax: 0046 – 280 – 211 61

E-Mail: ab@topeja.se

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

Mattssonföretagen i Udevalla AB, Gustaf Mattssons Väg 2

451 50 Uddevalla

Tel: 0046 – 522 – 980 10

Fax: 0046 – 522 – 374 20

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

c/o Gotlandskandemin AB, Hamngatan 3

621 57 Visby

Tel: 0046 – 498 – 27 64 80

Fax: 0046 – 498 – 21 21 44

E-Mail: jorgen@gotlandsakademin.se

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany

c/o Norma Precision AB, Jägargatan

670 40 Åmotfors

Tel: 0046 – 571 – 315 00

Fax: 0046 – 571 – 315 40

E-Mail: torbjorn.lindskog@norma.cc

Austrian representations in Sweden

Austrian Embassy in Stockholm

Kommendörsgatan 35/V

114 58 Stockholm

Tel: 0046 – 8 – 66 51 770

Fax: 0046 – 8 – 662 69 28

Email: stockholm-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/stockholm

Consulates

Honorary Consulate General Gothenburg (without passport authorization)

Södra Vägen 28

412 54 Gothenburg

Tel: 0046 – 31 – 16 10 78

Fax: 0046 – 31 – 104 505 001

E-Mail: franziska.vikgren@tcg.nu

Honorary Consulate Lulea (without passport authorization)

Storgatan 49

972 31 Lulea

Tel: 0046 – 920 – 22 51 91

Email: lindstrom.lulea@telia.com

Honorary Consulate Malmö (without passport authorization)

Östergatan 10

211 25 Malmö

Tel: 0046 – 40 – 79 945

E-Mail: john@monhardt.se

Honorary Consulate Stockholm (without passport authorization)

Gardsfogdevägen 6

16866 Bromma

Tel: 0046 – 8 – 29 09 70

Fax: 0046 – 8 – 29 33 00

E-Mail: sga@telia.com

Representations of Sweden in Austria

Embassy of Sweden

Obere Donaustrasse 49-51, Postfach 18

1025 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 217 53 0

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 217 53 370

Email: ambassaden.wien@foreign.ministry.se

Consulates

Swedish Honorary Consulate in Innsbrück

Andreas-Hofer-Strasse 43

6020 Innsbruck

Tel: 0043 – (0) 512 – 57 43 45 112

Fax: 0043 – (0) 512 – 57 98 65

E-Mail: office@marsoner.at

Swedish Honorary Consulate in Klagenfurt

St. Veiter-Ring 43

9020 Klagenfurt

Tel: 0043 – (0) 463 – 58 58 102

Fax: 0043 – (0) 463 – 59 69 19

E-Mail: herta.stockbauer@bks.at

Swedish Honorary Consulate in Graz

Sparkassenplatz 4/5

8010 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 5 – 0100-35040

Fax: 0043 – (0) 5 – 0100-35040

Email: ambassaden.wien@foreign.ministry.se

Swedish Honorary Consulate

Alpenstrasse 102-104

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 639 99 131

Fax: 0043 – (0) 662 – 639 99 45

Swedish Honorary Consulate in Linz

Altstadt 17

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 777 575

Fax: 0043 – (0) 732 – 777 575 75

Swiss representations in Sweden

Swiss Embassy in Stockholm

Embassy of Switzerland

Valhallavägen 64

100 41 Stockholm

Tel: 0046 – 8 – 676 79 00

Fax: 0046 – 8 – 21 15 04

E-Mail: sto.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/stockholm

Swiss Consulate

Kungsportsavenyn 34

411 36 Göteborg

Sweden

Tel: 0046 – 31 – 719 33 80

Fax: 0046 – 31 – 719 33 80

Email: goeteborg@honorarvertretung.ch

Representations of Sweden in Switzerland

Embassy of Sweden in Bern

Bundesgasse 26

3001 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 328 70 00

Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 328 70 01

Email: ambassaden.bern@foreign.ministry.se

Web: www.swedishembassy. ch

Consulates

Swedish Consulate

Neubadstrasse 7

4015 Basel

Tel: 0041 – 061 – 282 82 51

Fax: 0041 – 061 – 282 82 99

Email: schwedisches.konsulat.basel@cell-group.com

Swedish Consulate

Quai Général-Guisan 14

1204 Geneva

Tel: 0041 – 022 – 718 80 97

Fax: 0041 – 022 – 718 80 98

Email: consulat@swedgen.ch

Swedish Consulate

2, Avenue de Montbenon

1002 Lausanne

Tel: 0041 – 021 – 351 13 00

Fax: 0041 – 021 – 351 13 01

Email: swconlau@fastnet.ch

Swedish Consulate

Via Serafino Balestra 27

6900 Lugano

Tel: 0041 – 091 – 911 40 19

Fax: 0041 – 091 – 922 54 00

Email: info@consolatodisvezia.ch

Swedish Consulate

Stadelhoferstrasse 40

8024 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – 043 – 343 10 50

Fax: 0041 – 043 – 343 10 52

Email: info@se-konsulat.ch

Travel to Sweden