Summer holidays: What to expect if you're coming to Sweden in 2022
Tourism to Sweden has been limited for the past two years for obvious reasons, but visitors are now returning.
Sweden has throughout the pandemic had a relatively light-touch approach to Covid-19 restrictions.
But from April this year, the disease was no longer classified as a threat to public health or a critical threat to society. The two temporary laws the government brought in to give it more powers in the pandemic have expired, and the last remaining travel restrictions have been removed.
Although there has been a resurgence in cases of Covid-19 in Sweden this summer, the rules remain unchanged, except for mask-wearing requirements in hospitals in some regions.
Entry restrictions due to Covid-19
Sweden did away with its non-EU travel ban in April, so no traveller needs to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or any other Covid-related documentation, no matter what country they live in, are a citizen of, or are travelling from.
There is also no recommendation to get a Covid-19 test on arrival. There are still testing centres in the departure area for travellers flying outside of Sweden, but the testing stations on arrival at Stockholm Arlanda and Gothenburg Landvetter have closed down.
Welcome to Sweden!
READ ALSO: Who can travel to Sweden now Covid-19 travel rules are lifted?
Face masks
From April 1st, it was no longer recommended to wear a face mask when in airports in Sweden, so if you prefer to wear one, you may find yourself almost alone.
Some airlines, such as British Airways and EasyJet only require passengers to wear masks if the end destination requires them, so you may notice the difference as soon as you get onto your flight.
The Public Health Agency lifted its recommendation to wear face masks on public transport when crowded at the start of February, but even when masks were recommended, only about one in ten passengers wore them.
The increase in cases of Covid-19 this summer has however caused an increase in face mask sales in Sweden. Hospitals in some regions are requiring patients and staff to wear them.
What restrictions are there in public places?
None. At the start of February, Sweden removed the recommendation for sports and cultural clubs from arranging big events and competitions indoors, which was the last such recommendation in place.
There are no restrictions whatsoever for festivals, concerts, nightclubs, theatre performances, and all other indoor and outdoor events with a large number of participants.
Those who are unvaccinated, whether by choice or for medical reasons are advised to avoid crowded places and large indoor events.
What if I get Covid-19 while in Sweden?
Even if you do get Covid-19 symptoms when travelling in Sweden, you are no longer expected to go and take a test. The only people recommended to get tested are those that work in or are being treated by the health system, and those who care for the elderly, or live in a care home.
If you get Covid-19 symptoms while travelling within Sweden, by all means take an antigen test or quick test. You can pick these up in most pharmacies (in Swedish: apotek) and even some larger supermarkets. The Public Health Agency recommends that you should avoid contact with others even if the rapid test is negative.
This might be a problem when you have to get a flight back home, particularly if you live in a country which requires a negative test before boarding your flight.
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Sweden has throughout the pandemic had a relatively light-touch approach to Covid-19 restrictions.
But from April this year, the disease was no longer classified as a threat to public health or a critical threat to society. The two temporary laws the government brought in to give it more powers in the pandemic have expired, and the last remaining travel restrictions have been removed.
Although there has been a resurgence in cases of Covid-19 in Sweden this summer, the rules remain unchanged, except for mask-wearing requirements in hospitals in some regions.
Entry restrictions due to Covid-19
Sweden did away with its non-EU travel ban in April, so no traveller needs to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or any other Covid-related documentation, no matter what country they live in, are a citizen of, or are travelling from.
There is also no recommendation to get a Covid-19 test on arrival. There are still testing centres in the departure area for travellers flying outside of Sweden, but the testing stations on arrival at Stockholm Arlanda and Gothenburg Landvetter have closed down.
Welcome to Sweden!
READ ALSO: Who can travel to Sweden now Covid-19 travel rules are lifted?
Face masks
From April 1st, it was no longer recommended to wear a face mask when in airports in Sweden, so if you prefer to wear one, you may find yourself almost alone.
Some airlines, such as British Airways and EasyJet only require passengers to wear masks if the end destination requires them, so you may notice the difference as soon as you get onto your flight.
The Public Health Agency lifted its recommendation to wear face masks on public transport when crowded at the start of February, but even when masks were recommended, only about one in ten passengers wore them.
The increase in cases of Covid-19 this summer has however caused an increase in face mask sales in Sweden. Hospitals in some regions are requiring patients and staff to wear them.
What restrictions are there in public places?
None. At the start of February, Sweden removed the recommendation for sports and cultural clubs from arranging big events and competitions indoors, which was the last such recommendation in place.
There are no restrictions whatsoever for festivals, concerts, nightclubs, theatre performances, and all other indoor and outdoor events with a large number of participants.
Those who are unvaccinated, whether by choice or for medical reasons are advised to avoid crowded places and large indoor events.
What if I get Covid-19 while in Sweden?
Even if you do get Covid-19 symptoms when travelling in Sweden, you are no longer expected to go and take a test. The only people recommended to get tested are those that work in or are being treated by the health system, and those who care for the elderly, or live in a care home.
If you get Covid-19 symptoms while travelling within Sweden, by all means take an antigen test or quick test. You can pick these up in most pharmacies (in Swedish: apotek) and even some larger supermarkets. The Public Health Agency recommends that you should avoid contact with others even if the rapid test is negative.
This might be a problem when you have to get a flight back home, particularly if you live in a country which requires a negative test before boarding your flight.
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