Travel in the EU

Here can will find information about which Swedish public agencies or which EU institutions to turn to with questions about passports and visas, travelling with animals, shopping or falling ill when travelling, and mobile phone and Internet use.

Country-specific information

What applies to your trip? Tourists are covered by the law in the country they are visiting. Some countries require you to carry your ID documents with you all the time, while others have introduced temporary border controls.

Travel information from the embassies

Sweden’s embassies provide travel information per country for Swedes travelling abroad. The information covers, for example, current developments, healthcare and local laws. 

Sweden’s embassies on the website Sweden Abroad from the Government Offices
Travel information from Sweden’s embassies on the Government Offices website (in Swedish)

Travel app

Travel information from Sweden’s embassies is available on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ travel app (UD-resklar, in Swedish). The app contains contact information for Sweden’s embassies and consulates, as well as travel advice from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Resklar app on the Government Offices’ website (in Swedish)

Information from the Swedish Police about travelling in the EU

You can read more on the Swedish Police website about requirements regarding passports or national ID cards during your trip, and about border controls.

Travel in the EU on the Swedish Police website (in Swedish)

Passports and national ID cards

When you as a Swedish citizen travel within the EU or to the Schengen countries Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Lichtenstein, you must always bring your passport or your national ID card that has been issued by the police. This is important, so that you can identify yourself and show which country you are a citizen of. An ordinary ID card or Swedish driving licence is not sufficient as a travel document.

Your Europe on travel documents within the EU

Your Europe is an EU website which gives advice to EU citizens, for example, about which travel documents you need when travelling to another EU country. 

Travel documents for EU citizens on the Your Europe website

The Swedish Police issues passports and national ID cards

Valid travel documents when you travel within the EU are those issued by national authorities. Contact the Swedish Police for more information about how to obtain a passport or national ID card.

Passports and national ID cards on the Swedish Police website

Shopping on your trip in the EU

You can buy goods in other EU countries and bring them with you to Sweden. There are a few exceptions. In the same way as other countries, Sweden has rules regarding the import of medicinal products, weapons, endangered species and food.

Swedish Customs about shopping when travelling in an EU country

Swedish Customs provides information about the rules that apply to shopping in a country within the EU.

Buying goods in another country on the Swedish Customs website

Travelling with animals in the EU

If you plan to transport or travel with animals to or from Sweden, different rules apply, for example, depending on whether it is a pet or another category of animal.

The Swedish Board of Agriculture

The Swedish Board of Agriculture is the public agency responsible for the rules, and can answer questions about the import and export of animals.

Swedish Customs carries out border checks

Swedish Customs carries out border checks on behalf of the Swedish Board ofAgriculture. If you wish to bring an animal into Sweden, you must in many cases report the animal to the Swedish Customs. 

Travel with animals on the Swedish Customs website

Call and surf the Internet in the EU

When you call, send text messages or surf in another EU country you pay the same price as you do at home in Sweden. Always check what applies with your service provider before travelling.

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority on price caps and roaming

The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) is the supervisory authority for the EU’s rules on net neutrality and international roaming. You can contact the PTS for information about maximum prices and rules on calling and surfing on your mobile phone when travelling in the EU.

Mobile telephony abroad on the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority website

If you fall ill on your trip in the EU

Within the EU you have the same right to medical care as the inhabitants in the country you are visiting. You must always bring your European Health Insurance Card when you travel.

Medical and dental care in another EU country

The Swedish Social Insurance Agency provides information about what applies if you temporarily visit another EU country and need medical or dental care. You can also order the EHIC card – a European Health Insurance Card – there which entitles you to medical and dental care under certain conditions when you visit an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the UK. 

Travel abroad on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency website

Your Europe is an EU website which gives advice to EU citizens. Here you will find information and answers to common questions about the European Health Insurance Card.

Travel and purchasing medicinal products

The Medical Products Agency provides information about, for example, rules concerning travel with, purchase of and imports of medicinal products, as well as Schengen certificates for narcotic medicinal products.

Problems when travelling in the EU

As a passenger in the EU, you have various rights depending on the means of transport. Air, rail, ship and bus passengers are all entitled to financial compensation and assistance for certain problems when travelling. The rules apply to cancelled journeys, delays and overbooking.

Conditions for applying for compensation

Your Europe is an EU website which gives advice to EU citizens. Here you will find information about your rights as a passenger and about how to claim compensation.

Passenger rights in the EU on the Your Europe website