Entry requirements for Sweden with a dog/listed dog
Vacation with dog
Traveling with your dog is a wonderful experience. You can spend time together and build a deep relationship and at the same time create a close bond through shared new experiences. If you are planning a vacation with your dog, you will probably travel by car. We have in the article Tips for long car journeys with a dog 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 have to research entry regulations again and again. For listed dogs, like our dog breeds, separate or even stricter regulations sometimes apply. In some countries, some breeds are not allowed to enter at all.
With this blog we 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. In our blog about the Entry and transit requirements for Denmark you can read everything in detail. If transiting 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. Looking at the country's surface area, Sweden is sparsely populated and the likelihood of quiet and natural holiday experiences is quite high. Sweden's landscapes are very diverse and can be admired in their own way at any time of the year. Whether you choose a city holiday with your dog in Sweden's charming cities or nature, Sweden has something to offer 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 would be the perfect vacation spot for any dog person who wants to travel with their dog, right? Yes, we think so too! |
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In Sweden, dogs are welcome on holiday – all dogs! On the Agriculture Office website you will find a guide that will help you find out which regulations apply to your dog when vacationing in Sweden. With the help of five questions you will receive all the measures you need to fulfill to enter the country. It is important for you to know that before entering Sweden, every dog must be registered online via the agricultural office (this is very quick) or directly at the customs office at the border. To register your dog directly at the border, you can follow the red line (“Red Point”). Otherwise, the form can be quickly filled out online and you will receive an email confirming your registration.
Dogs must be kept on a leash when walking (including in parks). Exceptions are special outdoor areas. Dogs are also allowed to run freely in the countryside and in manageable green spaces outside the city. For dogs from EU member states, the requirements 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 who want to vacation in Sweden from Switzerland also need verifiable pet owner insurance, which is usually covered by liability insurance in Switzerland (tip: to be on the safe side, ask your insurance company if you are traveling 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 (initial rabies vaccination at the earliest at 12 weeks of age, then another 21 days until effective vaccination protection is developed)
✅ Registration of the dog upon 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 experienceWe traveled via Denmark on our trip to Sweden with our two dogs. From our own experience we can describe the transit through Denmark as unproblematic. If Denmark is too tricky for you, alternatively choose the ferry to Sweden. Sweden was a wonderful holiday with a dog for us in many ways. We were pleasantly surprised by the extensive nature, the responsible behavior of dog people and pleasant dog encounters. We easily found green spaces and beautiful walking routes both in a big city like Stockholm and in Swedish Lapland. The general requirement to keep on a leash in Sweden is very pleasant because strange dogs almost never run into you or harass you. Our very personal highlight is and remains Swedish Lapland. The icy cold with temperatures down to -30°C was a shock at first, but with the right equipment you get used to it. We bought oxford cloth shoes for our dogs from a local dog boutique and ours were dog coats brought from home. The experiences and time we had in Swedish Lapland with our dogs are unforgettable. |
If you would like to travel to Swedish Lapland, we would be happy to share our personal favorites with you here:
- Authentic experience with the indigenous people of the Sámi, who were originally a nomadic people in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Island of Russia. The Sámi are one of the oldest indigenous peoples on earth and the oldest in Europe. They once lived from fishing and reindeer breeding. Nowadays they have had to settle down, but are viewed as 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 towards nature. You can also take a wonderful reindeer sleigh ride and experience the beautiful animals. We're over our tour Golapland made and can highly recommend the family.
- Northern lights you can admire it in Swedish Lapland between the beginning of September and the end of March. The Northern Lights are also called “Aurora Borealis” and can be particularly admired on very cold, clear and dark nights. Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles from the sun colliding in the Earth's atmosphere. The colors depend on the gas particles. However, the northern lights are usually green. You can see them particularly well at the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko.
- One Husky sleigh 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 how to massage the dogs to minimize muscle problems and get to see the dogs very closely. We have our tour at Husky Home made and would recommend Ylva, her methodology and approach again and again.
- A hike through the Absiko National Park is free and very exciting. With a bit of luck you can even spot moose. We caught a glimpse from a distance and were fascinated.
In general, Sweden is not a cheap country, but it is worth every tour and experience.
