Entry requirements for Sweden with a dog / listed dog
Holiday with a dog
Travelling with your dog is a wonderful experience. You can spend time together and build a deep relationship and at the same time create an intimate bond through new experiences together. If you are planning a holiday with your dog, you will probably be travelling by car. In the article Tips for long car journeys with dogs, we have put together recommendations for you on how to make a long car journey pleasant for you and your dog. You can also download our free packing list for dogs in this article.
We personally travel a lot with our Bulli within Europe. We always have to research new entry regulations. For listed dogs, such as our dog breeds, special or even stricter regulations sometimes apply. Some breeds are not allowed to enter some countries at all.
This blog will help you find the right entry requirements for Sweden in a nutshell.
By the way: The shortest route by car is usually via Denmark. You can read everything in detail in our blog on the entry and transit regulations for Denmark. If travelling through Denmark is too tricky for you, you can also choose the ferry to Sweden without having to cross Denmark.
Entry requirements for Sweden with a dog / listed dogSweden is a beautiful country, consisting of 52% forest areas, 11% mountains, 8% agricultural areas and 9% lakes and rivers. Sweden is sparsely populated in terms of area and the likelihood of a peaceful and natural holiday experience is quite high. Sweden's landscapes are very diverse and can be admired in their own way at any time of year. Whether you opt for a city holiday with your dog in Sweden's charming cities or for the great outdoors, Sweden has something for everyone. The north of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is particularly impressive. Icy temperatures in winter, endless days in summer and not forgetting the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights attract many tourists to Swedish Lapland. Sounds like Sweden is the perfect holiday destination for every dog person who wants to travel with their dog, doesn't it? Yes, we think so too! |
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Dogs are welcome on holiday in Sweden - all dogs! On the Swedish Board of Agriculture's website you will find a guide to help you find out what rules apply to your dog on holiday in Sweden. With the help of five questions, you will receive all the measures you need to take to enter the country. It is important for you to know that every dog must be registered online via the Swedish Board of Agriculture (this is very quick) or directly at the customs office at the border before entering Sweden. To register your dog directly at the border, you can follow the red line ("Red Point"). Otherwise, the form is quickly filled out online and you will receive an e-mail confirmation of registration.
Dogs must be kept on a Leash when out walking (including in parks), with the exception of special off-leash areas. Dogs are also allowed to run free in the countryside and in manageable green spaces outside the city. For dogs from EU member states, the prerequisites are that the dog must be at least 15 weeks old and have an EU pet passport with a microchip number. In addition, as everywhere in the EU, a valid rabies vaccination is required. Dogs that want to go on holiday to Sweden from Switzerland also need verifiable pet owner insurance, which is usually covered by liability insurance in Switzerland (tip: check with your insurance company to be on the safe side if you are travelling from Switzerland).
Checklist entry requirements
Valid EU pet passport
✅ Microchip with transponder number in the EU pet passport
✅ Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry)
✅ No puppies younger than 15 weeks (rabies vaccination at the earliest at the age of 12 weeks, then a further 21 days until effective vaccination protection is formed)
Registration of the dog on entry ( via the website or at the customs office at the border)
✅ Dogs from Switzerland require pet owner insurance or a completed form (see conclusion)
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Our personal experienceWir sind bei unserer Reise nach Schweden mit unseren beiden Hunden über Dänemark gereist. Aus eigener Erfahrung können wir die Durchreise durch Dänemark als unproblematisch beschreiben. Falls dir Dänemark zu heikel ist, wähle alternativ die Fähre nach Schweden. Schweden war in vielerlei Hinsicht ein traumhafter Urlaub mit Hund für uns. Die weitläufige Natur, der verantwortungsvolle Umgang von Hundemenschen und angenehme Hundebegegnungen haben uns positiv überrascht. Sowohl in einer Grossstadt wie Stockholm, wie auch in Schwedisch Lappland haben wir problemlos Grünflächen und schöne Spazierrouten gefunden. Die allgemeingültige Leinenpflicht in Schweden ist dabei sehr angenehm, weil so gut wie nie fremde Hunde in einen rennen oder einen bedrängen. Unser ganz persönliches Highlight ist und bleibt Schwedisch Lappland. Die eisige Kälte mit Temperaturen bis zu -30 °C waren zwar zunächst ein Schock, aber mit dem richtigen Equipment gewöhnt man sich daran. Für unsere Hunde haben wir in einer Dog Coats |
If you would like to travel to Swedish Lapland, we are happy to share our personal favourites with you here:
- Authentic experience with the indigenous Sámi people, who were originally a nomadic people in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Island of Russia. The Sámi are one of the oldest indigenous people on earth and the oldest in Europe. They once lived from fishing and reindeer herding. Nowadays they have had to settle down, but are considered a minority with their own rights and responsibilities in Sweden. You can learn a lot about their way of life, reindeer husbandry, language and attitude to nature. You can also go on a wonderful reindeer sleigh ride and experience the beautiful animals. We did our tour via Golapland and can highly recommend the family.
- You can admire the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland between the beginning of September and the end of March. The Northern Lights are also called "Aurora Borealis" and can be admired especially on very cold, clear and dark nights. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles from the sun when they collide in the Earth's atmosphere. The colours depend on the gas particles, but the Northern Lights are usually green. You can see them particularly well at the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko.
- A husky sled ride is part of the experience in the Arctic. We were lucky enough to meet a very competent family who work with their Alaskan huskies all year round, have a permanent team and promote a very balanced mood in the dogs. You learn a lot, learn to massage the dogs to minimise muscle discomfort and get to experience the dogs very closely. We did our tour at Husky Home and would always recommend Ylva, her methodology and approach.
- A hike through the national park in Absiko is free and very exciting. With a bit of luck, you might even come across moose. We were able to catch a brief glimpse from a distance and were fascinated.
In general, Sweden is not a cheap country, but worth every tour and experience.
