Can US citizens travel to Sweden in Spring 2022?
As of 9 February 2022, US citizens can enter Sweden from the USA if you are fully vaccinated & 14 days have elapsed since your final COVID-19 shot. Accompanying minors under 18 are exempted from the covid certificate requirement. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may be able to enter through an EU or EEA country with no COVID-19 related restrictions; however, check with your airline & the country where you are being processed before departure because their rules may differ.
This article will be focused on tourists wanting to travel in Sweden, not those that are Swedish or EU residents, are students in Sweden, have work permits in Sweden, or have family that they are visiting in Sweden, etc.
Where can I get the most up-to-date travel information?
I recommend visiting the Swedish Police website at Polisen.se for most recent information.
If you’re a US citizen, you could certainly visit the US Embassy in Sweden’s website; however, they actually will refer you back to Polisen.se anyway.
Prior to our arrival in Sweden, I personally found the information on the Swedish Police website to be easy to understand and clear.
As of 9 February 2022:
Fully vaccinated travellers holding vaccine certificates issued in one of the following so called approved countries/territories and the vaccine is EMA or WHO approved, can enter Sweden without a negative test at earliest14 days after the second dose. These vaccine certificates are technically compatible with the EU Covid Certificates. Which countries will be considered compliant and as a result be exempted, will be evaluated on a regular basis, and the list will be updated. Questions regarding the selection should be posed to the EU and the Swedish government.
Regular visa and passport requirements still apply.
To be considered fully vaccinated, the certificate must document that the holder has been given a single dose vaccine or the second dose in a series of two.
Non-fully vaccinated travellers, e.g. unacompanied minors, the partly vaccinated, or travellers with medical exemptions, are not exempted.The exemption is entirely connected to the vaccine certificate, not country of residence or citizenship.
https://polisen.se/en/the-swedish-police/the-coronavirus-and-the-swedish-police/travel-to-and-from-sweden/#exemptions-entryban
Last country of entry prior to Sweden
Good news! This means that if you are a US citizen trying to enter Sweden from a country within the Schengen Zone or the EU, then there are no further restrictions related to COVID-19.
English translation
On the top right of the Swedish Police’s site is a button to change the language preference.
Do I need to Quarantine?
Please visit the Swedish Public Health Department’s website to get the best information.
The department recommends that you take a COVID-19 test as soon as you arrive to confirm that you are still negative for COVID-19, which seems totally fair to me! If the test is negative, you don’t need to quarantine.
Do I need a Tourist Visa?
According to Migrationsverket.se, Sweden’s Immigration Office, you may need to apply for a tourist visa prior to entry.
Plan in advance because border guards may not let you in without your tourist visa, a documented reason for entering the country during the pandemic.
Depending on when you come to visit, make sure your American passport will not expire during the time your Swedish visa is valid.
Do they wear masks in Sweden?
Wearing masks is not policed in Sweden.
Coming from the United States, it was a shock to see the majority of people unmasked indoors.
Since the surge of the Omicron virus, all public transport and buildings recommend that you avoid traveling during peak hours or rush hour, keep your distance and wear a mask in crowded places.
In public, I see a limited number of masks being worn, usually by the elderly or (I imagine) immunocompromised.
I would saw that Swedes keep their distance very well. Swedes as a population like personal space – this may feel like a broad generalization but if you ask Swedes, they may agree 🙂
Do they get vaccinated in Sweden?
Sweden has a higher vaccination rate than the United States with over 76% of the population being fully vaccinated. The majority of the population is in support of taking care of others, whether through being vaccinated and staying home when sick.
In my experience, I feel like Swedes are thoughtful of others on the whole – that everyone deserves respect and safety, within reason.
Paid sick leave
Additionally, workplaces are very accepting of sick days and employees are given many paid sick days.
Basically, if you feel sick, don’t come in and/or work from home.
This is unlike in the United States where many don’t have paid sick leave. It’s a completely different and refreshing mindset.
Easy access to healthcare
If you get sick in Sweden, visit 1177.se to schedule a doctor’s appointment or talk to a nurse by phone at any time. If it is an emergency, visit the hospital.
Cost of healthcare
As an American, you are not covered by Sweden’s free healthcare, but can instead collect your bill and send it back to your health insurance company back in the states for reimbursement.
You may also be able to ask them for a fee breakdown prior to the service being provided.
We hope you come to visit us. Thanks for following our journey. Happy New Year from the HildeFam.
