Documentation

 

Passport: Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to show a return or onward ticket, and show you have enough money for your stay. This is likely to be in the order of €80 per person per day (the amount required to show proof of financial means when applying for a Schengen VISA). 

VISA's: You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.

• If you are travelling to Sweden and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

• To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Swedish government’s entry requirements. Check with the Swedish Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit, if any, you may need

• If you stay in Sweden with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

EHIC: You should apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you travel. If you already have an EHIC, make sure it hasn’t expired. Driving Licence: UK Driving Licence is acceptable.

Insurance: Appropriate insurance is required.

Financial capacity: After Brexit, on arrival in the Schengen area you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds available for the duration of your stay (€80 per person per day.) 

Driving licence: When driving in Sweden the following documents should be carried:

• Full, valid driving licence*.

• Proof of insurance/green card (third party or above).

• Proof of ID (passport).

• Proof of ownership (V5C certificate)

• A GB sticker (unless your car is equipped with EU number plates showing the country code in a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background)

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Sweden.

• Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

• A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

• You will also need winter tyres if you're driving between 1 December and 31 March in snow and ice. Snow chains must be used where indicated by road signs.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights

• A fire extinguisher 

• A first-aid kit

• A reflective jacket

 

Further information about driving in Sweden and rules of the road can be found on the RAC website.​ You may need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor. 

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Logistics

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Roads: The national roads are usually of high quality. There are fines for speeding. 

 

Tolls: 

• Öresund bridge crossing (~€45).

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Traffic: See Via Michelin or various applications including Wase.

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Speed: There are speed limits on all roads in Sweden. 

They are no longer based on the category of road, but on the quality and safety of the actual road itself. Speed limits may consequently vary along the same road. Road signs on both sides indicate when the speed limit will change. Reminding road signs will appear at frequent intervals.

Motorcycle, private car, campervan (< 3.5t)

• Built-up areas: 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70km/h.

• Outside built-up areas, including expressways: 70, 80, 90 or 100km/h.

• (if in doubt, or if no speed limits are indicated, drivers are advised to keep to 70km/h until a speed limit sign turns up).

• Motorways: 90, 100, 110 or 120km/h.

Private car and caravan

• Any vehicle towing trailer/s with effective brakes.

• When one trailer is towed, speed must never exceed 80km/h.

• When two trailers are towed, speed must never exceed 40km/h.

Equipment which searches for mobile speed cameras or interferes with police equipment is prohibited. Automated speed cameras are used on many roads. Only the driver can be held responsible for speed violations. If a speed violation is registered by a speed camera, the owner of the car is not legally enforced to state who was driving.

 

On-the-spot fines: The police are authorised to impose and collect on-the-spot fines for minor traffic offences. Fines are generally paid at a bank, normally within 2-3 weeks. Non-residents may be asked to pay cash to the policeman (if so, a receipt will be issued. Credit cards are not accepted). Vehicles can be confiscated in certain serious cases, e.g. if they are stolen or have been subject to fraud or other criminal activity.

 

Towing: Caravans, camper vans and luggage trailers may be imported temporarily without formality. The maximum dimensions for caravans are:

Height: No limit
Width: 2.60 metres
Overall length of towing vehicle and trailer: 24 metres

It is possible to leave a caravan trailer in Sweden for up to 1 year, provided the importer leaves Sweden within 3 months of their arrival.

 

Fuel: Petrol stations with free and decent toilets. Most places have a good variety of food and even a grocery store but availability in the north of the country is limited. Plan to refuel in the bigger cities / towns. Locations of some popular chains can be found as follo​ws:

• Preem

• OK Q8

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Water: Available at campsites and most garages / petrol stations.

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Food: Most campsites have small shops for the basics. There are plenty of supermarkets in larger towns and cities. 

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Winter Tyres:  From 1 December to 31 March all vehicles (also trailers and vehicles > 3,5 t total weight) must use winter tyres marked M+S (with or without spikes) when there are winter road conditions - that is, the road is covered with ice or snow, or the road is wet and the temperature is around or below 0ºC. This applies also to vehicles registered abroad. It is permitted to fit and use snow chains on any kind of vehicle in Sweden if the weather or road conditions so require. It is compulsory for drivers to have some antifreeze in the vehicle windscreen fluid and a shovel to clear the snow.  It is recommended to have also a tow rope, some jump leads and a reflective jacket. The Swedish police decides whether there are wintry conditions on a certain road. Sweden deals with its harsh weather very well, but delayed trains and flights are difficult to avoid during severe weather conditions. Snow and ice on the roads cause accidents daily. Consider starting your journey earlier to avoid rushing to your destination. Be prepared for harsh conditions particularly in the north during the winter. 

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Emergency equipment: While driving in Sweden you are required by law to carry the following items. Hefty on-the-spot fines can be issued for failing to carry specific items:

• Headlamp beam deflector: Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually.

• Lights: It is compulsory for all motor vehicles to use dipped headlights during daytime, all year round and on all roads.

• Warning Triangle: It is compulsory for foreign registered vehicles to carry warning triangles if so required in the country of registration.

• Motorcyclists: A safety helmet must be worn by the driver and passenger of a motorcycle or moped. This also applies to passengers in side-cars.

 

Vehicle / trailer repairs: <<Recommended places. Contact details if known>>

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Bottle Gas or Refills: The situation regarding bottled gas is unclear. Propane is used because of the cold.

Availability may only be in major cities but could be hard to find. Use of petrol stoves or 'Trangia' type stoves is

widely reported. Diesel stoves may work but themay be difficult to light in the cold of the north. 

 

LPG: In addition to cooking gas for those with tanks, LPG is also used to power vehicles. Details of LPG gas stations and connectors can be found on the website www.myLPG.eu. A list of Points of Interest (POI's), a list of stations, can also be downloaded in other applications and on other devices like Garmin, TomTom, Google Earth and iGO primo. Links can be found here. (Its understood that gas cylinders, such as Calor Propane 6kg, can be refilled in Malmo.)

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Gas adapter: The Dish adapter is used here. 

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Currency: The currency of Sweden is the Krona.

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Health

 

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to. 

Pharmacies are usually open during normal shop opening hours. You can also get an emergency prescription at hospitals.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately. If you’re visiting remote areas, consider the relative inaccessibility of the emergency services.

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Pets

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You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

When travelling to an EU country (or Northern Ireland), your pet needs:

• a microchip

• a valid rabies vaccination

• an animal health certificate unless you have a pet passport issued in an EUcountry or Northern Ireland

• tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta

These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.

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Its important to check country specific rules of each country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

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Places to stay 

 

Name / Point of contact / Email / Tel No / Website

Price per night

Hotels

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Campsites

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Campsites including places (like hotels) that allow camping within their grounds. The average price per night for two adults in Sweden is €24.08.

• Visit Sweden. There are about 450 campsites across Sweden.

• ACSI EuroCampings. About 312 campsites in Sweden where dogs are welcomed.

• Camping.Se. A list of 330 Campsites in Sweden.

• PitchUp. A UK based website promoting Camp sites in UK and Europe. 

• The Camping and Caravanning Club. 100 club sites owned and operated by the Club. Saving up to 30% on club sites. A total of about 1300 member sites. 

• Caravan and Motorhome Club. Doesn't seem to cover Scandanavia. Annual membership £64. Saving of up to £150 per year when staying at 2700 member sites. 

• CampingKey Europe. With Camping Key Europe, you get access to extra beneficial discounts from selected partners. you get access to accommodation discounts at more than 3,000 campsites in both Sweden and Europe, a long list of discounts and offers, a cost-free accident and liability insurance that protects you and your family in the event of an accident and easier and quicker check in/out at all SCR campsites. Annual membership costs approximately 199 SEK (~GBP £17).

• Camping Card International. Discounts of up to 25% in 3061 campsites  in 40 countries. Must be a member of an FICC organisation or club to qualify.

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Wild camping 

 

Freedom to camp wild is one of the great joys of an outdoor holiday in Sweden. You should not pitch your tent on farmland or near a house, and stays in any one location are limited to a night or two. “Do not disturb, do not destroy”. With the considerable freedom and right to roam afforded by Allmansrätten comes the burden of care and responsibility, and the principles of the Right are there both for the enjoyment of outdoor activities in Sweden and for the protection of its rich flora and fauna. The best places for wild camping are reported to be:

1. Skuleskogen National Park. Skuleskogen is one of 29 national parks in Sweden, situated in the Västernorrland county, on the coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Sweden. ... 

2. Upplandsleden. The Upplandsleden is a 400-kilometer trail in the Uppland county. ... 

3. Fulufjället. ... 

4. Gotland. ... 

5. Glaskogen. ... 

6. Skåne. ... 

7. Kungsleden.

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Things to do and places to see

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• NGO's and Projects

  • Life Rejuvenation Africa (LRA). Uganda, water children and value of environment / wildlife. Culture

  • Naturskyddsforeningen. Wildlife. Nature conservation. Bears / Moose. Beaver, Arctic Fox, Wolf

  • Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) 
     

• Tourism & Research

  • Visit Sweden

  • Malmo

    • Oresund Bridge. Remember to book return ticket before leaving the UK!​

    • Malmo Castle

    • Malmo Maritime Museum

    • Lilla Torg. Shopping Centre

    • The Turning Torso. Tallest building in Scandanavia

    • Sodergatan. Shopping

    • Lund village. 

  • Helsingbord

    • Tropical Beach​

  • Jonkoping

    • Rocksjon Park​

    • Asecs. Shopping mall

  • Linkoping

    • Flygvapenmuseum

  • Norrkoping

    • Himmelstalund rock carvin​gs

  • Stockholm

    • ABBA Museum

    • Explore the Archipelago. Consisting of nearly 30,000
      separate islands to the East of Stockholm, Sweden’s largest
      archipelago is an area of rare natural beauty, full of sandy
      beaches, rocky cliffs, and dense woodland. 

    • Vasa. 17th Century Warship

    • Gamla Stan

    • SoFo Bar hopping

    • Stockholm markets and food carts

    • Sailing and wild swimming.

  • Uppsala

    • Castle

    • Museum

  • Gavle

    • Old Town​

    • Jarnvagsmuseet

    • Mackmyra Svensk Whisky

    • The Green Trails

  • Tonnebro

    • ​RASTA TÖNNEBRO At the E4, in a scenic area just south of Söderhamn lies Rasta Tönnebro. The facility is located by the beautiful lake Varvs-noran where you can also swim in the summertime. There is a large outdoor restaurant, Burger King and OKQ8 store. We have playroom and a playground for the outdoors for our little guests. Rasta Tönnebro is well suited for larger groups with the possibility of promotion in individual rooms. The facility is open 24 hours a day! Buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:00 to 10:00 Today's dishes are served daily between 10:00 and 22:00 Bakery always have fresh brewed coffee, delicious sandwiches and good cookies from their own bakery.

    • Soderhamn - F15 Flight Museum

    • Oscarborg Tower

    • Alirs Oga. Wild camping spot?

    • Go Karting

    • Prästgrundet.

  • Sandarne

    • ​Sagverkstrampet. Biking and hiking trails

    • Sandarne Batklubb. Marina

  • Hudiksvall

    • The High Coast. Drive the 100kms and eat herring​! breathtaking scenery and unique red granite cliffs and rocks. Now a Unesco World Heritage Site, part of it can be hiked, but it’s best explored by car, allowing stops for bear safaris, kayaking, and a visit to Sweden’s second highest waterfall. And if you’re feeling brave, do try fermented herring, a particularly pungent delicacy belonging to this area.

  • Umea

    • Guitars, The Museum​

    • Umedalen Skulptur. Parks. Art experience

    • Music at Umeå Folkets Hus

  • Tore

    • ​Snowsleigh Forest Safari. Amazing arctic backcountry with a small group in an open snowsleigh on this 3-hour forest safari. 

  • Tornio

    • Border crossing to Finland​

  • Smögen

    • Great seafood​

  • Gothenburg

    • Universeum. Gothenburg. Gothenburg’s largest science
      center, there are seven floors of things to do. Check out
      the Ocean Zone, one of Europe’s largest aquariums

    • Vasa Museum

    • Hoga Kusten (Hiking / walking in  Ornskoldsvik)

    • Sala Silvergruva

    • Stangehuvud Naturreservat

    • Abisko National Park. Located on the North Calotte Trail
      in Sweden’s Lapland, Abisko National Park covers 77
      square km (30 square miles) of sparkling fjords, stumpy
      mountains, birch forest, cave complexes carved into the
      rock, and spectacular waterfalls crashing through canyons.
      Elk and reindeer populate the landscape
      and the 440-km (275-mile) national hiking and Nordic skiing
      route of Kungsleden (King’s Trail) starts within the park.
       

• Companies​

  • Gothenburg Refinery (78,000 bpd refining capacity) (st1)

  • Nynäshamn Refinery (90,000 bpd refining capacity) (Nynas)

  • Gothenburg Refinery (132,000 bpd refining capacity) (Preem)

  • Lysekil Refinery (220,000 bpd refining capacity) (Preem)

  • Novartis (Pharmaceuticals)

  • MSD (Pharmaceuticals)

  • Pfizer (Pharmaceuticals)

  • Roche (Pharmaceuticals)

  • Malmo Bryan A.- Dairy

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Any other suggestions / Information 

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Prospective visitors to the Arctic should also consider carefully the potential remoteness of certain destinations from search and rescue, evacuation and medical facilities. Independent travellers are particularly advised to develop contingency arrangements for emergency back-up. You should be aware that in these regions, search and rescue response will often need to be dispatched from many hundreds of miles away. Search and rescue assets are also likely to offer only basic transport and basic medical care, and are unlikely to be capable of advanced life-support. You should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment or potential repatriation. 

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Local News

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• The Local Sweden

• Euronews Sweden

• BBC News Sweden

• Reuters News Sweden

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