Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of Swine Flu in Sweden.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.  Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.  See the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Sweden can be affected by severe cold in the winter months, particularly in the North.  You should be prepared for harsh conditions and if driving in the winter months cars should be winterised.
  
  
• Over half a million British nationals visit Sweden each year (Source: Swedish Central Office for Statistics).  Most visits to Sweden are trouble-free.  105 British nationals required consular assistance in Sweden in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (9 cases); hospitalisations (2 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (83 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (121 cases).  If you need to contact the emergency services in Sweden call 112.
  
  
• You should check carefully the bona fides of anyone offering employment opportunities involving asphalting or seasonal work, and should contact the British Embassy in Stockholm for further advice.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.