Explore: Sweden - Formalities
Clearance
- COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
Sweden is a member of the EU as well as a member of the Schengen Area.
Yachts arriving directly from a Schengen country (i.e. all countries bordering the Baltic Sea with the exception of Russia) do not have clear border control on arrival in Sweden. Nor Customs if there is nothing to declare.
Yachts from other countries, or EU yachts passing through international waters, must report to Customs, in a place which has a Customs office, before stopping anywhere else.
If visiting Göta Ålv or going through the Göta Canal, report to the Customs office before entering. Yachts may be intercepted by Customs in the Customs area for inspection.
Foreign nationals may only enter and leave Sweden at passport control points, or (if travelling to or from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway) via a frontier crossing point.
Customs offices are open 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, captains must report by telephone to the nearest communications centre. The number is available from the Harbour Master and are also listed below.
If details of crew and passengers are submitted in advance it is possible that permission may be given to enter a port that is not a border crossing point. This also means that all documentation can be processed and approved before the vessel arrives, thus avoiding unnecessary delays.
During office time
Swedish Coast Guard, Central Headquarters
PO Box 536, 371 23 Karlskrona Sweden
Visiting address: Bastionsgatan 18, Stumholmen, Karlskrona
Tel: +46 455 35 34 00, fax +46 455 105 21
E-mail [email protected]
Headquarter northeast
Coast Guard, Headquarter northeast
PO Box 92028, 120 06 Stockholm Sweden
Visiting address: Ljusslingan 26, 120 31 Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 57 89 75 00, fax +46 8 716 26 88
E-mail: [email protected]
Headquarter southwest
Coastguard, Headquarter southwest
PO Box 5200, 426 05 Västra Frölunda Sweden
Visiting address: Käringberget AMF 4
Tel: +46 31 726 90 00, fax +46 31 29 36 01
E-mail: [email protected]
Coast Guard Air Fleet
Coast Guard, Air fleet
Pilotgången 4, 611 92 Nyköping Sweden
Tel: +46 155 46 71 00, fax +46 155 28 63 73
E-mail: [email protected]
Outside office times
Outside office time is it always possible to reach the Swedish Coast Guard via the two 24/7 manned headquarters with officers on watch
Headquarter northeast
Tel: +46 8 57 89 76 00 or VHF Ch 16
E-mail: [email protected]
Headquarter southwest
Tel: +46 31 727 91 00 or VHF Ch 16
E-mail: [email protected]
Last updated August 2017.
Immigration
Sweden is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See Noonsite’ s Schengen page for more details on the immigration rules.
Nationals of many countries do not require a visa for visits of less than 90 days.
The exact list of citizens who do require a visa can be found at www.government.se/government-policy/migration/list-of-foreign-citizens-who-require-visa-for-entry-into-sweden [BROKEN LINK].
Last updated: Â August 2017.
Customs
Firearms must be declared on arrival and may be retained until departure.
Medicines should be declared on arrival and be accompanied by a prescription.
If arriving from within the EU, a reasonable amount of alcohol and tobacco for personal use is permitted duty-free.
This rule does not apply if arriving from outside the EU. Only specified amounts of alcohol and tobacco can be kept on board. This is one litre of spirits, five litres of wine, 15 litres of beer and 300 cigarettes per person. Quantities in excess of this amount will be taken ashore and returned only on departure from Sweden.
Only vessels over 75 tons, bound for non-Nordic countries, may take on board duty-free tobacco and alcoholic products.
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. See Noonsite/EU/ VAT page for more information.
Normally it is possible to reach Swedish Coastguard by using VHF Channel 16
Coast Guard Headquarters can handle all possible matters including border controls and Customs matters for visiting pleasure boats. See the Clearance section above.
Last updated: Â August 2017.
BioSecurity
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail [email protected] if you find protocols have changed.
The European Union has a traffic light system, clearly visible in the Re-Open EU website and mobile app, where you can see if travel is possible to each member state, the requirements of each destination, and other information to answer travellers’ questions. Note that not all EU countries class crew arriving by private yacht as normal travelers, so rules may differ. Refer to the information below to see how.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
January 20, 2022
- Starting from January 21, the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours within the arrival will no longer be effective.
- All persons who reach Sweden from European Union and European Economic Area countries are still required to present the EU Digital COVID Certificate upon their entry.
- Travellers who reach Sweden from a country outside the EU/EEA, may enter provided that their COVID-19 certificates are recognised by the Swedish authorities.
- Those who hold a certificate that has not been recognised in Sweden are subject to the entry ban.
- Visit www.krisinformation.se/ for more details and updates.
Health
Ticks are spreading in all coastal areas except in the north. In some areas, ticks carry two types of disease, Lyme disease and TBE (Tick-Borne Encephalitis). TBE vaccine is available. Lyme disease must be treated with antibiotics.
Documents
Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship’s radio licence.
One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence.
For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required.
For boats over 12 meters, it is expected that the skipper has a Certificate of Competence.
To cruise outside Sweden, Swedish boats will need to register with the SVENSKA KRYSSARKLUBBEN See www.sxk.se to obtain the appropriate document.
Fees
Restrictions
Restricted areas are clearly marked on Swedish charts, as well as by signs on the shore. In protected and controlled areas foreign yachts must remain within the channels marked on the charts. In some parts of such areas anchoring or mooring is prohibited, and in others, foreign yachts may not stay longer than 24 hours. Known prohibited areas are around Göteborg, the naval base at Karlskrona and parts of the southern approaches to Stockholm. Other restricted areas are protected wildlife reserves and at certain times of the year, especially spring and early summer, access is forbidden. The restricted areas are strictly enforced, and one may be subject to an on-the-spot fine if found to be breaking the regulations.
Laws are strict concerning the littering of the sea and shore. Garbage, oils, petrol or harmful substances must not be discharged into the water.
Update 2015: From April 2015 the discharge of sewage is now forbidden in all Swedish territorial waters (i.e. up to 19.3 kms /12 miles from the coast). This applies to all recreational craft including foreign vessels.
Fishing:Â
Scandinavians can fish for recreation on Sweden’s coasts, but non-Scandinavians must have special permission from the county board or county police where they intend to fish. Fishing is not permitted in private waters, except in certain areas where a special permit is needed. There are various regulations on closed seasons and permitted fishing tackle. Spearfishing is not permitted.
Inland waterways:
There are various canals linking rivers and lakes which give access to the interior of the country. The Göta Canal crosses Sweden from Göteborg to Söderköping, a distance of about 320 kms (200 miles), passing through canals, the Göta River and several lakes. Fees must be paid for locks and harbor dues and are quite high. Swedish charts are essential. As there are no fixed bridges, the canal can be navigated without dropping the mast.
There are also the canals of Falsterbo, Dalslands, Arvika and Vaddo and Lake Malaren near Stockholm may also be navigated. There are maximum draft as well as height restrictions on some of these canals. Maximum length: 100 ft (30 meters), beam 20 ft (6 meters), draft 9 ft (2.82 meters), height 71 ft (22 meters).
Local Customs
Pets
Animals are accepted from within the EU and which have an EU Pet Passport.
All cats and dogs must be microchipped and have an anti-rabies vaccination certificate (dated at least 30 days in advance and for it to have been administered at least 21 days after the microchip was inserted), as specified in the PETS travel scheme.
For additional EU regulations regarding pets coming from some countries, see https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/ms-websites_en
Rabies vaccinations administered by a veterinary practitioner not authorised by an EU country will render the EU Pet Passport invalid for travel.
If entering from outside the EU and from a country on the ‘High risk’ list, then a Health Certificate from a veterinarian and other requirements must be complied with.
