Sweden Travel Guide:

         Tourism Information

Sweden: Add-on Destination (two of four globes)

Sweden is a country that is an attractive travel destination.  The first time visitor will find the landscape interesting and inviting but not dramatic, the cities compact, stylish and functional, and the Swedes attentive but reserved. Sweden is at its best during the summer and early fall. If you can schedule it, visit Sweden during one of its holidays and see the country come alive.

1. Deserving of a visit, Sweden has a number of number of extremely interesting attractions scattered throughout the country. Similar to other Nordic countries, it is an expensive place for the tourist. Sweden is a classic add-on destination for inclusion in an itinerary involving several countries.



2. Sweden is a safe place for independent travel (as long as you keep an eye out for moose on the highway).



3. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations in Sweden can be found at Sweden:  Best Places To Visit.



4. Additional tourist information   is available from the official tourism website of the Swedish government at www.visitsweden.com.



5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Overall, Sweden is a safe destination for tourists.

1. No official health advisories, travel advisories, or specific terrorism warnings for Sweden have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State  and CDC to insure that these conditions have not changed.  In addition, you will find that the     Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.



2. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .



3. When visiting a foreign country, avoid public demonstrations (whatever the cause) and do not broadcast either your public opinions or your nationality.



4. If you have an emergency in Sweden, call 112.   Calls are answered in Swedish and English.  112 is a European Economic Community initiative to provide a one telephone number contact for ambulance services, the police, the fire service, air and sea rescue and other emergency services available within a specific country (such as mountain patrol).  The 112-telephone number is designed for use in emergencies only.



5. If you need assistance from the U.S. Embassy, contact Consular Services: The U.S. Embassy is located at Dag Hammarskjoldsvag 31, SE-115 89 Stockholm, telephone: (46)(8) 783-5300, fax: (46)(8)783-5480, and after-hours telephone: (46)(8) 783-5310. The Embassy’s web site is http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/ .

    See our article on how U.S. Counsels can help Americans abroad.

A valid passport is required to enter Sweden.  Tourist and business travelers do not need visas for stays of less than 90 days.  U.S. citizens can stay without a visa for tourist/business for up to 90 days. That period begins when you enter any of the Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Since March 2001, Sweden entry visas are governed by the rules in the Schengen Agreement. Under the Agreement, all European Union countries (except Ireland and the United Kingdom ), as well as the European Economic Area countries of Norway and Iceland, have opened their borders to one another.

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

• A visa issued for a visit to one of these countries is normally valid in all of the other countries as well.
• For further information on entry requirements, contact the Royal Swedish Embassy at 1501 "M" Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, tel: (202) 467-2600, or the Swedish Consulate General in New York at (212) 583-2550, website: www.swedenabroad.com .
•  Sweden 's immigration authorities (Migrationsverket) also maintain a homepage at http://www.migrationsverket.se .

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parents or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure

In addition to being subject to all Swedish laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Swedish citizens. n some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. For additional information, please see the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at
http://travel.state.gov for an explanation of dual nationality issues. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of  any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

While traveling in Sweden, tourists should guard against pick pocketing and other travel-related crimes.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers. 

Be alert and avoid the situations described below.

Most crimes involve the theft of personal property from cars or residences or in public areas.

•  Pickpockets and purse-snatchers often work in pairs or groups with one distracting the victim while another grabs valuables. Do not put any bags containing valuables, such as your passport, down on the ground. Computer bags are particularly desirable.  
• Often pick-pockets operate in or near major tourist attractions like Stockholm's Old Town, restaurants, amusement parks, museums, bars, buses, subway trains and the main train station.  Gothenberg's main train station also presents a similar problem with pick-pockets.
• Hotel breakfast rooms and lobbies attract professional, well-dressed thieves who blend in with guests and target purses and briefcases left unguarded by unsuspecting tourists and business travelers.
• Valuables should not be left unguarded in parked vehicles

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of any crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

2.  Public transport in Sweden is of good quality and is the recommended method of travel.

• Passenger trains, intercity buses, and air flights provide regular service over longer distances.
•  Public transportation in urban centers includes buses, subways, trams, suburban trains, and taxis.
• Taxis are relatively more expensive than in major U.S. cities.
• Most local residents use public transport in Stockholm as parking can be hard to find and expensive.
• The bus, train, and subway systems are relatively safe.

3.  In June 2005, Sweden adopted a ban on smoking in restaurants, cafes and pubs.  Eating establishments  can provide separate rooms for smokers but are not allowed to serve food in these rooms.

4. ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While driving in Sweden, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Sweden is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

A valid U.S. driver's license may be used while visiting Sweden, but drivers must be at least 18 years of age.

Driving in Sweden is on the right.

• Road signs use standard international symbols and Swedish text.
• Many urban streets have traffic lanes reserved for public transportation only.
• Swedish roads are comparable to those in the U.S. though secondary roads may be less heavily traveled due to Sweden's  sparse population outside the major urban areas. These secondary routes often narrow to two lanes with a wider shoulder.
• Slower vehicles are expected to move onto the shoulder to allow faster moving vehicles to pass.
•  All vehicles must have headlights lit when on the road, no matter what time of day.
• The use of snow tires is mandatory between December 1 and March 31 and, due to the country's northerly climate, experience in driving on ice and snow is recommended before negotiating Sweden's winter roads.
• Use of seat belts is mandatory for drivers and all passengers.
• Children under the age of seven must be seated in approved child or booster seats
• Emergency services for traffic accidents can be reached by calling 112 (the equivalent to 911 in the U.S. ).

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs, is considered a very serious offense.

• The rules are stringently enforced and fines can be severe. Violations can result in severe fines and possible jail sentences.
• ThereArePlaces recommends that you do not drink and drive.  In most foreign countries, especially in Europe and the UK, the maximum permitted blood alcohol levels are lower than those enforced in the United States. Penalties and punishments are significant. See our article on drinking and driving in foreign countries for more information.

Speed Limits in Sweden:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h
2. Outside Built up areas (including  dual carriageways) - 70 km/h
3. Motorways - 110km/h

Our information on speed limits is as current as possible. Always confirm the speed limits with your rental car agent and observe the posted speeds limits whenever and wherever you drive.

Use of mobile telephones while driving is against the law in most European countries.  The fine for violating laws against the use of mobile phone while driving is significant.  If you need to use your mobile phone while on the road, stop your car in a designated parking area and place your call.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines or confiscation of the car during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).
For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html.

For specific information concerning Swedish driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Swedish national tourist organization office in New York via the Internet at http://www.visit-sweden.com . See also road safety information from other sources in Sweden at http://www.vv.se .

In Sweden, medical care comparable to that found in the United States is widely available.

• The Swedish medical system is a state-run system so instead of visiting a local private general practitioner, travelers can visit a local medical center or clinic, called an “Akutmottagning” or “Vardcentral.”
•  Patients should be prepared to present their passport. Non-European citizens should consult with their travel agents about the need for insurance before they travel.

In case of a medical emergency, use the emergency telephone number “112” (equivalent to “911” in the U.S. ) to contact the appropriate emergency service.

Travelers with special medical needs should consult with their personal physician and take appropriate precautions, including bringing adequate supplies of necessary medication.

• Medicines may be brought into the country as long as they are intended for the traveler's personal use. Medications categorized as narcotics may only be brought into the country to cover the traveler's personal use for a maximum of five days and must be accompanied by a medical certificate stating why the traveler needs them.
• In addition, stringent Swedish customs regulations prohibit travelers from receiving drugs from abroad after having arrived in the country.
• Travelers may also find local physicians reluctant to prescribe equivalent quantities or dosages. Prescriptions are dispensed at state-run pharmacies called “Apotek” in Swedish. Most pharmacies are open during normal shopping hours but major cities have a 24-hour pharmacy.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.  ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.