Europe

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

 

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Sweden is generally a low crime country to visit.  Petty crime occurs, but at much lower levels than in most European countries.  Pickpocketing can be a problem in the summer months in the major cities when tourists are targeted for their passports and cash.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

 

Political Situation

Sweden Country Profile.

Local Travel

Travelling within Sweden is easy.  Although you may need to cover large distances (especially in Northern Sweden), the country's road and rail networks are efficient and extensive.  Sweden's comfortable, modern trains are designed to deal with all kinds of weather.

Road Travel

If you are travelling by car you should note that driving conditions during the winter months of November to March can be extremely treacherous due to snow and ice.

From 1 December - 31 March (irrespective of weather conditions) Swedish registered cars are required by law to have either studded tyres or unstudded friction tyres bearing the following mark, M+S, M-s, M.S, M&S, MS or Mud and Snow.

Although foreign registered cars are exempt from this requirement, it would still be advisable to have winter tyres fitted.

In 2007 there were 471 road deaths in Sweden (source: DfT).  This equates to 5.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Rail Travel

For rail travel see www.sj.se/sj/jsp/polopoly.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Sweden.  For more details about this see Airline Security