For many members, work in the Riksdag involves a large number of official journeys. This may, for example, include journeys between Stockholm and their place of residence, study visits, meetings or travel with their parliamentary committees. Here the rules and procedures that apply to members' official journeys are described.
Official journeys are all journeys undertaken by MPs within the framework of their assignment as members of the Riksdag. The members decide themselves which official journeys they will undertake in Sweden, and which means of transport is the most appropriate. When choosing means of transport, members must take into account the cost, travel time and environmental impact of the journey. Members choosing a means of travel other than the cheapest one must be able to justify this.
The residence where a member is registered as resident is regarded as his or her place of work. This means that journeys from this residence to the Riksdag in Stockholm are also regarded as official journeys.
Journeys by train and air
All members are entitled to an annual train pass, including an unlimited number of journeys. The train pass may only be used for official journeys on behalf of the Riksdag or for other state business.
Air travel in Sweden should, as a rule, be economy class. Members with a long journey from their home to the Riksdag or who, for other reasons regularly need to travel by air, can apply for an annual air travel pass, including an unlimited number of journeys.
Journeys by car and taxi
If necessary, members may use their own car for official journeys. They are reimbursed at a rate of SEK 31.50 per ten kilometres, of which SEK 18.50 are exempt from tax. If necessary, members can instead rent a car for their official journeys.
If there is no public transport or if special reasons exist, members can be reimbursed for taxi travel. Special reasons may for example include heavy luggage, time-saving or medical reasons.
Hotel accommodation
During official journeys, members can be reimbursed for hotel accommodation if the hotel is situated more than 50 kilometres from their home or the Riksdag. Members can also be reimbursed for overnight stays at hotels closer than 50 kilometres from the Riksdag, provided the stay takes place in connection with the member's participation in a conference with a committee, delegation, inquiry or similar body in the Riksdag or with the party group.
Loyalty bonuses and discounts may not be used privately
Loyalty bonuses and discounts on future purchases that members have earned through official journeys may not be used for private purchases. Loyalty bonuses for future purchases may however be used, for example, to cover the cost of another member on the same journey or to pay for a future official journey.
Subsistence allowances – reimbursement for official journeys
Subsistence allowances are a form of reimbursement that members can receive in connection with official journeys. The allowance is intended to cover the increased cost of living during the official journey, for example, for meals.
Members who live further than 50 kilometres from Stockholm are entitled to a "Stockholm allowance" when they travel to and stay the night in Stockholm. The allowance SEK 120 per day. The members receive the Stockholm allowance for the day of travel, the day they return and any days in between. The Stockholm allowance is exempt from tax and free meals are not deducted.
Members of the Riksdag receive a subsistence allowance for journeys of further than 50 kilometres from their home and that involve an overnight stay. The subsistence allowance for domestic travel is SEK 390 per day, of which SEK 240 are exempt from tax. If the members receive free meals as part of the official journey, these are deducted from the allowance.
Official journeys abroad
Many members make official journeys abroad, for example, together with a committee or with their party group. The committees have their own budgets for official journeys, while the parties pay for any travel that they arrange.
Members can also make individual journeys abroad. This may, for example, involve a study visit. Each member has a maximum amount of SEK 50,000 during an electoral period for travel of this kind. Different provisions apply, depending on whether the country the member is visiting is inside or outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Members take decisions about travel within the EEA themselves, while travel outside the EEA is decided on by the Deputy Speakers.
When travelling by air, members should choose economy class for shorter journeys. For travel outside Europe, they can choose business class if necessary for the assignment.
Possibility to stay longer
In certain cases, it is possible for members to travel earlier or stay for longer in connection with official journeys. However, the private part of a visit may not be longer than the official visit. If the cost of travel is higher than it would otherwise have been, or if the extension of the journey is not in reasonable proportion to the official part of the journey, the member must pay the additional costs him or herself.
Members are responsible for their travel expense claims
Members can book their official journeys through the travel agency procured by the Riksdag Administration. They can also choose to book their journeys themselves and pay for them themselves preliminarily. The members account for their travel using a travel expense form. There, they also request reimbursement for their expenses, for example, for tickets, accommodation and other costs connected with the official journey. They then send the travel expense form to the Riksdag Administration.
The Department for Administrative Services for Members of the Riksdag checks that the formal requirements regarding travel expense forms are met, for example, that original receipts are enclosed and that the member has accounted for the purpose of the journey. If the travel expense form needs to be supplemented, the official contacts the member. The members themselves are responsible for ensuring that travel expense forms are correctly filled in.
Charge cards
Members can apply for a charge card to pay costs in connection with their official journeys. The members are personally responsible for payments with the card.
Applicable rules
The rules that apply to the members' official travel are set out in the following laws and regulations (in Swedish):