Sweden Travel Safety

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are excellent. Some roads may be closed in winter, particularly in northern areas.

Women's safety

Women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. There have been cases of sexual assaults reported recently in Stockholm. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of precaution during travel.

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs in areas frequented by tourists, particularly in urban areas during the summer months. The areas include:Stockholm's Old Townthe Central Stationrestaurantson public transportation. Pickpockets and purse snatchers may work in teams. One distracts the victim while another commits the robbery. Be particularly alert in hotel lobbies and breakfast rooms, as they attract professional, well-dressed thieves. These thieves blend in with the guests and target bags and purses of distracted patrons. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. Gang and organized crime-related violence occurs mainly in the three largest cities in Sweden:Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö. While violent incidents have not typically occurred in areas frequented by tourists, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. In Sweden, an attacker drove a truck into crowds on a pedestrian street in central Stockholm on April 7, 2017. The incident caused injuries and deaths. Further attacks in Europe are likely. Targets could include: government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners. Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks. The Government of Sweden maintains a public alert system on terrorism. The Government communicates threat level changes online and through local media.

LGBT

Sweden is frequently referred to as one of the world's most LGBT-tolerant and accepting countries, with various organisations and venues catering to LGBT people, supportive laws and policies, and high public and societal acceptance. Legislation concerning marriage, anti-discrimination and adoption have all been amended in the past decades to specifically apply to LGBT people and same-sex couples.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. There are heavy punishments for importing illegal drugs. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Driving

You can with an International Driving Permit along with your foreign license. Interestingly, headlights must be on at all times by law. The use of seat belts is mandatory. Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. From 1 December - 31 March (in case of winter conditions) all cars in use, both swedish and non-swedish, are required by law to have either studded tires or snow tires. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent. The use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited, except if you use a hands-free device. Approved child or booster seats are required for children under seven years old. Vehicles must be fitted with winter tires from December 1 to March 31. A congestion tax is imposed on weekdays for vehicles entering and exiting Stockholm between 6:30 AM and 6:29 PM, and Gothenburg between 6 AM and 6:29 PM.