Is It Safe to Travel to Sweden in 2026?
Sweden - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east, and shares a maritime border with Denmark to the south.
Is It Safe to Travel to Sweden in 2026?
Sweden is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sweden, targeting various public locations. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and follow local authorities' instructions.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- terrorism
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers may face increased risk of being targeted in public spaces due to potential terrorist attacks, especially in crowded areas like markets and transportation hubs.
Business travelers may encounter disruptions due to heightened security measures and the potential for terrorist activity affecting transportation and public venues.
Families with children should be cautious in crowded tourist areas where terrorist threats are present, and healthcare access may be limited outside major cities.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban areas with good connectivity, but should remain vigilant about their surroundings due to potential terrorist threats.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Sweden.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Sweden has an overall threat severity of 2.7 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 2.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 99/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Swedish Krona (SEK)
Language
Swedish
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Sweden
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Sweden?
▶Is it safe to travel to Sweden right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?
▶What vaccines do I need for Sweden?
▶Is Sweden safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Sweden?
More Sweden Data
Free — 99/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.