Traveling To Sweden? Vaccination Requirements Explained

do you have to be vaccinated to enter sweden

As of November 2021, Sweden had implemented COVID-19 vaccine passes for certain public events and gatherings. The passes were available to those who had received two doses of the Covid vaccine, with the second dose given at least two weeks prior. Sweden accepted vaccine passes from EU-issued passes and approved non-EU countries. US-issued CDC cards were not initially accepted, but this changed in November 2021, when fully vaccinated Americans could travel to Sweden without any Covid testing requirements. Swedish residents and those with valid residence permits in Sweden were advised to take a PCR test upon their return to the country, although this did not apply to fully vaccinated individuals or children under six.

Characteristics Values
Vaccine pass requirements for public events Vaccine passes from approved countries are required for public events in Sweden.
Accepted vaccine passes Passes from the EU, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Moldova, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, San Marino, Switzerland, Serbia, Singapore, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK, and the Vatican are accepted.
US vaccine passes US-issued CDC cards are not valid at public events in Sweden, but US visitors can obtain an EU-issued QR code in some countries, which is accepted in Sweden.
Testing requirements Swedish residents and those with a valid residence permit are advised to take a PCR test upon return to Sweden, unless they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Entry requirements for non-residents Non-resident foreign nationals from non-EU/EEA countries must present a negative COVID-19 test no older than 48 hours to enter Sweden. This does not apply to those traveling from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, or Norway.
Entry requirements for EU/EEA citizens Citizens of the EU/EEA must present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter Sweden.
Entry ban Sweden has imposed a ban on non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/EEA. Exempt countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway.

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EU-issued vaccine passes are valid in Sweden

As of December 2021, EU-issued vaccine passes are valid in Sweden. This means that holders of EU-issued vaccine passes can use their passes to enter Sweden and gain access to public events. This is because Sweden accepts vaccine passes from countries that have joined the EU's vaccine pass system, which can be validated alongside the EU digital certificate.

However, it is important to note that the rules regarding COVID-19 vaccine passes and entry requirements can change quickly and frequently. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the latest official information before planning to enter Sweden or attend public events within the country.

Sweden introduced COVID-19 vaccine passes at certain public events and gatherings on December 1st, 2021. These vaccine passes are required for entry to large public events, and proof of recovery or a negative test are not accepted as alternatives. The Swedish government and Public Health Agency are responsible for announcing and implementing any new COVID-19 measures, including the extension of the vaccine pass scheme to additional venues such as restaurants and long-distance public transport.

In addition to accepting EU-issued vaccine passes, Sweden also accepts COVID-19 vaccine passes from specific non-EU countries. These include Albania, Andorra, Armenia, El Salvador, the Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Moldova, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, San Marino, Switzerland, Serbia, Singapore, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the Vatican. However, there are some exceptions, such as the US-issued CDC card, which is not valid for public events in Sweden as of November 2021.

For individuals vaccinated outside of the EU, some European countries offer the option to obtain an EU Digital COVID Certificate. For example, in France, US visitors can obtain an EU-issued QR code by presenting their CDC vaccine certificate at a pharmacy. This EU-issued QR code is then accepted for events in Sweden. Similarly, Switzerland allows US visitors to convert their CDC card to a Swiss certificate, which can be used in Sweden and throughout Europe.

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Non-EU vaccine certificates are accepted from approved countries

As of 9 February 2022, there is no entry ban for arrivals directly from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. This means that everyone, regardless of citizenship, can enter Sweden without any COVID-19-specific restrictions. However, travellers from third countries are still subject to an entry ban, which means that a vaccination passport or a negative test performed within 72 hours of departure may be required.

The e-Health Agency, the agency responsible for issuing COVID-19 vaccine passes in Sweden, confirmed that vaccine passes from countries that have joined the EU's vaccine pass system are valid for public events. The US counts as an "approved country" for border purposes but is not included on the list of countries whose vaccine passes are valid for public events. However, US citizens can take their CDC vaccine certificate to a pharmacy in France to get an EU-issued QR code for free, which should then be accepted for events in Sweden. Switzerland also allows US visitors to convert their CDC card to a Swiss certificate for 30 francs (290 kronor), which can be used in Sweden.

As of November 2021, Swedish residents and those with a valid residence permit in Sweden who are travelling abroad are advised to take a PCR test upon their return to the Nordic region. However, this does not apply to fully vaccinated travellers or children under the age of six. Citizens of European Union or European Economic Area countries wishing to enter Sweden must present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This rule does not apply to those travelling from Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Norway.

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US-issued CDC cards are not valid at public events

As of December 2021, US-issued CDC cards were not valid at public events in Sweden. This was because the US was not on the list of countries whose vaccine passes could be validated alongside the EU digital certificate. However, the US was considered an "approved country" for border purposes, and fully vaccinated Americans could enter Sweden without the need for Covid-19 testing.

Sweden introduced Covid-19 vaccine passes at certain public events and gatherings on December 1, 2021. Vaccine passes from approved countries were valid at these events, but it was initially unclear whether this included the US-issued CDC card. The Health Ministry later confirmed that US-issued CDC cards would not be valid at public events. However, they stated that they were working on making it possible for vaccinated people from third countries to attend events that required a vaccine certificate, even if they were not from countries that had joined the EU's digital vaccine pass system.

It is important to note that the rules regarding vaccine passes and travel restrictions can change quickly and frequently. Therefore, it is always advisable to check for the most up-to-date information before planning any travel.

As an alternative option, US visitors could take their CDC vaccine certificate to a pharmacy in France to obtain an EU-issued QR code for free. This would then be accepted for events in Sweden. Similarly, Switzerland allowed US visitors to convert their CDC cards to Swiss certificates for a fee, which could then be used throughout Europe, including Sweden.

Sweden's approach to vaccine passes and travel restrictions has been a topic of discussion and debate. Some have praised the country's level-headed role in the pandemic, while others have criticised the use of vaccine passes as a form of manipulation.

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Exemptions for children under six, vaccinated, or recovered

As of 2021, Sweden required that citizens of European Union or European Economic Area countries present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter the country. However, there were exemptions for children under six, vaccinated individuals, and those who had recovered from the virus.

Children under the age of six were exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test result when entering Sweden. This exemption also applied to vaccinated individuals and those who had recovered from COVID-19. Swedish residents and those with a valid residence permit in Sweden who were returning to the Nordic region were usually advised to undergo PCR testing. However, this requirement did not extend to those who were fully vaccinated, under the age of six, or had recovered from the virus, according to Krisinformation.se, the Swedish Agency for Civilian Contingencies.

It is important to note that the rules for entry to Sweden may vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and their vaccination status. For example, citizens from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway were exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of vaccination. Additionally, travellers from certain countries considered epidemiologically safe by the Swedish Foreign Ministry were not required to present a negative COVID-19 test.

In terms of travel documentation, children travelling to Sweden must have their own valid passport or ID card. This requirement applies to children travelling alone, with adults who are not their legal guardians, or with only one parent. In these cases, the child may also need an additional official document signed by their parents or legal guardians authorising them to travel. While there are no EU-wide rules regarding this, each country, including Sweden, can decide whether to require such authorisation. It is recommended to check the specific requirements for the countries of departure and transit to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Furthermore, when travelling with children, it is advisable to carry a letter from the child's legal guardian if not all guardians are present during the trip. This letter should include the name and contact information of the guardian, allowing border control officials to verify the information. Additionally, for organised group journeys, such as school or leisure-time activities, the accompanying adult must be able to present a list of participants, including consent from the parents or guardians and confirmation of their own right to enter and stay in Sweden.

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Sweden has introduced vaccine passes for public events

As of December 2021, Sweden has introduced COVID-19 vaccine passes for certain public events and gatherings. The passes are required for events with large crowds, such as concerts and sports matches. The vaccine passes are meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants during such events.

The Swedish vaccine passes are issued by the e-Health Agency, which is responsible for issuing COVID-19 vaccine passes in the country. The passes are available to individuals who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose being administered at least two weeks prior.

In addition to Swedish vaccine passes, the country also accepts vaccine passes from approved countries. Holders of EU-issued vaccine passes can use them in Sweden, as they can be validated alongside the EU Digital COVID Certificate. This includes vaccine passes from countries such as Albania, Andorra, Armenia, El Salvador, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, and more.

However, there are some exceptions to the accepted foreign vaccine passes. As of November 2021, US-issued CDC cards were not valid for public events in Sweden. Although, individuals with CDC cards could obtain an EU-issued QR code in certain countries, such as France and Switzerland, which would then be accepted in Sweden. It is recommended to check the latest guidelines before travelling to Sweden, as the COVID-19 regulations may change rapidly.

It is important to note that the vaccine pass requirements for public events in Sweden may have evolved since the initial implementation in 2021. The information provided here reflects the situation as of December 2021. For the most up-to-date information, it is advised to refer to official Swedish government sources and public health guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, as of November 5, 2021, fully vaccinated Americans can enter Sweden with no requirements for Covid-19 testing. However, this rule may change, so it is important to check for the latest information.

Yes, there is no requirement for a negative Covid-19 test, recovery, or vaccination for those travelling from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, or Norway.

Yes, foreign nationals of non-EU/EEA countries can enter Sweden from EU/EEA countries if they can present a certificate proving a negative Covid-19 test not older than 48 hours.

Yes, US-issued CDC cards are not valid at public events in Sweden. However, US visitors can convert their CDC card to an EU-issued QR code in France and Switzerland, which should then be accepted in Sweden.

Yes, Swedish residents and those with a valid residence permit in Sweden are advised to take a PCR test upon their return to the country, unless they are fully vaccinated or under the age of six.

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