The Government has decided to maintain the entry ban to Sweden for travel from third countries, i.e. outside the EU/EEA. The entry ban on travel from EU/EEA countries, which involves a ban against entering Sweden unless a negative COVID-19 test result can be presented, will also be extended. However, the Nordic countries will be exempted from the entry restrictions as of 31 May.
The Swedish Government has decided to extend the entry ban to Sweden primarily due to the continued uncertainty concerning infection. The extension of the entry ban from third countries is in line with EU recommendations. In addition, the Public Health Agency of Sweden considers that entry restrictions remain important for travellers from countries outside the EU/EEA, where vaccination efforts have in many cases not come as far as in the EU/EEA countries, and where the epidemiological situation regarding transmission and virus variants of particular importance are more difficult to assess. The Government considers that the entry restrictions within the EU/EEA should be scaled back cautiously and gradually to reduce the risk of a setback that would necessitate new restrictions.
“Opening up for travel in the Nordic region is the first step in the opening of travel to and from Sweden, which must be done gradually and responsibly. At the same time, the Government is maintaining a close dialogue with the Public Health Agency of Sweden,” says Minister for Home Affairs Mikael Damberg.
The decision taken by the Government means that the temporary entry bans to Sweden will be extended. Entry bans apply both to people who travel to Sweden from countries outside EU/EEA (third countries) and to people who travel to Sweden from EEA counties. At the same time, entry restrictions to Sweden from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway will be lifted.
This means that as of 31 May, people who travel to Sweden from the Nordic countries will no longer be covered by any special entry restrictions.
However, entering Sweden from other EEA countries will still require a negative COVID-19 test result. A negative COVID-19 test result is only valid for 48 hours. This requirement applies to foreign citizens aged 18 and older, with certain exemptions.
The entry ban on travel to Sweden from EEA countries will be extended until 30 June 2021. The changes that involve lifting the entry restrictions for Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway will take effect on 31 May.
The regulations stipulating that people who travel to Sweden from a country outside the EU/EEA may – as previously – only enter the country if they are covered by one of the exemptions from the entry ban and can also present a negative COVID-19 test result. A negative COVID-19 test result is only valid for 48 hours. This requirement applies to foreign citizens aged 18 and older, with certain exemptions.
The extension of the entry ban to Sweden for travel from countries outside the EU/EEA will apply until 31 August this year.
For more information on how the ordinance on a temporary entry ban to Sweden is to be interpreted and which exemptions apply, please visit the Swedish Police Authority website. See the adjacent links.
