Stricter rules on international sanctions

Stricter rules on international sanctions will be introduced by means of a new law. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal which is intended to implement the EU sanctions directive (EU 2024/1226) in Swedish law.

International sanctions mean that one or several countries limit the freedom, for example, of an individual, an organisation or the government of another country. The purpose is to influence, by peaceful means, those against whom the restrictions are imposed. This can, for example, be done by introducing restrictions on exports and imports, imposing an entry ban or freezing assets.

The purpose of the EU sanctions directive – and the new Swedish law – is to criminalise and establish penalties if sanctions are violated.

The new law means that:

• stricter penalties will be imposed for violations of international sanctions
• less serious violations (minor cases) will also be criminalised
• the following new classifications of offences will be introduced: breach of sanctions, sanctions offence, gross sanctions offence and repeated sanctions offence
• attempts at and aiding certain sanctions offences will be criminalised
• certain public authorities will be obliged to report suspected violations of the new law.

The Riksdag decided that the law will come into force on 10 June 2025 instead of 20 May 2025 as proposed by the Government.