Sweden
Packing list for Sweden, insurance for Sweden and taking your belongings
What to take to Sweden: brief
To pack and check
- Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU. If you are from outside the EU you will need a passport with 6 months validity and possibly a visa. Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK). You will hardly need cash because Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world, and in some places, cash is not accepted at all anymore.
- Clothing: clothing depends on the season, but be prepared for fluctuating temperatures. Even in summer, evenings can be chilly. A flexible layering system, a warm sweater, and a windproof and waterproof jacket almost always come in handy. If you are traveling to Northern Sweden or outside of the summer months, bring warm winter clothing as well.
- Shoes: sturdy hiking boots with good grip are important for national parks, forests, and mountainous areas. Comfortable sneakers are sufficient for city trips to Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö. Flip-flops are handy for saunas, campsites, and the many swimming jetties.
- Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen remains important. Especially in the north or on the water, the sun can be stronger than you expect.
- Packing and protecting: a rain cover for your backpack and possibly waterproof storage bags.
- Insects and animals: a good mosquito repellent is almost indispensable in large parts of Sweden during the summer. Mosquitoes can be present in large numbers, especially in forests, wetlands, and Lapland. A tick remover is important if you frequently walk through tall grass or forests, as ticks can transmit Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.
- Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a first-aid kit with blister plasters, ORS, painkillers, tweezers, and personal medication. A more comprehensive kit is advisable for multi-day hikes.
- Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, a cap or hat (in summer), and a daypack.
- Technology and equipment: an universal adapter for type C and F sockets.
To consider
- Mosquito net for head or face if you are traveling to Lapland.
- Swimwear for lakes, saunas, and the coast. Thermos flask for walks or canoeing.
- Power bank for multi-day hikes.
- Eye mask if you are traveling to Northern Sweden in June or July; due to the midnight sun, it hardly gets dark there.
Are there mosquitoes in Sweden?
- Many mosquitoes occur in Sweden during certain seasons, and they are often a nuisance for tourists and locals.
- Especially from June through August, mosquitoes can appear in large numbers in wooded areas, along rivers, and near lakes. In Northern Sweden and Lapland, they are notorious and can make hikes quite challenging.
- Mosquitoes are mainly annoying, but they pose health risks for travelers.
- More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.
Are there sandflies in Sweden?
- They are often confused with sandflies, but in addition to mosquitoes, Sweden has gnats (tiny, aggressive biting midges or gnats) in certain places, particularly in the north.
- These tiny flies often fly in gigantic swarms, low to the ground, where they bite pieces out of tourists' skin. They are so small that you need a good, finer mosquito net that they cannot get through.
- They do not like wind and bright sun, but emerge in large numbers on windless, cloudy days and around sunset.
- Mosquito repellent and light-colored, covering clothing often help protect you against these annoying little creatures.
- More about sandflies and sand fleas.
Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Sweden?
- Mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridine, or other active ingredients are easy to buy at pharmacies (Apoteket), supermarkets, and outdoor stores.
- If you are going to Lapland or remote nature reserves, it is useful to stock up on enough mosquito repellent beforehand.
- See also DEET mosquito repellents and the percentages.
Can you buy a joint or weed in Sweden, or bring it to Sweden?
- Sweden has one of the strictest drug policy systems in Europe. Cannabis is prohibited across the board, with a regulated exception for medical cannabis, and possession, import, and use can all lead to fines or criminal prosecution.
- Bringing cannabis into Sweden is therefore also prohibited. Even small quantities can lead to major problems at the border or during checks.
