The Government has today decided to extend the temporary ban on entry to Sweden from countries within the EU/EEA due to the continued uncertainty concerning transmission of COVID-19. The Government has also adopted amendments to the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA concerning exemptions for people who live in or can present vaccination certificates issued in certain specified countries. These amendments are in line with the updated recommendations and decisions at EU level.
Entry from countries within the EU/EEA
The ban on entry for travellers to Sweden from countries within the EU/EEA will be extended until 31 January 2022.
The Government had previously decided that the entry restrictions within the EU/EEA should be scaled back cautiously to reduce the risk of a setback that would necessitate new restrictions. The restrictions should remain in place a while longer, particularly since certain European countries have recently experienced increased transmission. This means that to enter Sweden from these countries, a traveller will still have to present the EU Digital COVID Certificate or a corresponding certificate showing that they have either been vaccinated against COVID-19, tested negative within 72 hours prior to arrival or recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months.
As previously, travellers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway are not subject to the entry restrictions and thus do not need to present any certification when entering Sweden.
The ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA that was previously adopted also remains in effect until 31 January 2022.
Exemption for fully vaccinated travellers from certain countries outside the EU/EEA
The Government today also decided that people travelling to Sweden who can present a vaccination certificate issued in Georgia, Moldova, New Zealand, Serbia and Singapore are exempt from the entry ban and test requirement.
According to a European Commission decision, vaccination certificates issued in these countries are equivalent to the EU Digital COVID certificate, which means that such certificates can be checked and verified in the same manner and using the same technical systems as the EU certificate.
The amendments will enter into force on 30 November 2021.
Amendments to the entry ban for people residing in certain countries
The Government has also decided today that Ukraine and Singapore will be removed from the list of countries where residents are generally exempt from the entry ban solely on the ground that they reside there, while Indonesia will be added to the list. The decision applies as of 30 November.
This means that the entry ban will be reintroduced for people residing in the countries removed from the list, while people residing in Indonesia will generally be exempt from the entry ban.
Other exemptions from the entry ban will also continue to apply to people who reside in those countries. For example, people who can present vaccination certificates issued in countries such as Ukraine and Singapore will also continue to be exempt from the entry ban and test requirement for entry to Sweden.
The amendments are the result of an update of the EU recommendations regarding travel into the EU from third countries, based on information from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The amendments will enter into force on 30 November 2021.
For more information on how the ordinance on a temporary ban on entry into Sweden is to be interpreted and which exemptions apply, please visit the website of the Police Authority. See the adjacent links.
