The Right of Public Access in Sweden: What You Can Do in Nature

Travelling through Sweden for the first time, many visitors are amazed: hardly any fences, hardly any “keep out” signs, and a lone tent pitched on a lakeshore. This is made possible by the right of public access, known in Swedish as Allemansrätten (“everyone’s right”). It allows everyone to move freely in nature, even on private land. But this right is not a free pass. It rests on one simple principle: Inte störa, inte förstöra – don’t disturb, don’t destroy.

What is the right of public access?

The right of public access is an old customary right and has been mentioned in the Swedish constitution since 1994. There is, however, no single law that sets out all the details. What is permitted follows from various regulations, for example on nature conservation, and from common sense. Anyone who uses the right is therefore personally responsible for respecting nature, wildlife and other people.

Hiking, cycling and swimming

You may walk, cycle, ride, ski and swim almost anywhere. This also applies to privately owned forests and meadows. Off-limits are cultivated fields, plantations and, above all, the area around other people’s homes. The land immediately around a house is protected even if there is no fence. Keep enough distance that the residents do not feel disturbed. For route ideas, see our article on hiking in Sweden.

Camping in the wild

Wild camping is what many travellers associate with the right of public access. You may pitch a tent for one or two nights, as long as the spot is not used for farming and is not within sight of a house. If you want to stay longer or camp with a larger group, ask the landowner for permission.

Important for anyone travelling by car or motorhome: the right of public access does not apply to motor vehicles. Driving off-road is prohibited, and private roads may also be closed to traffic. Read more in our article on travelling to Sweden by car.

Making a fire

For many people, a campfire is part of a holiday in Sweden. In principle it is allowed as long as there is no risk of fire. Use existing fireplaces wherever possible and never light a fire directly on rock, because the heat can crack the stone and leave it permanently damaged. In dry summers the authorities often impose a fire ban (eldningsförbud). Open fires are then prohibited everywhere, often including fixed barbecue sites. Check locally with the municipality or the tourist information office.

Berries, mushrooms and flowers

You may pick blueberries, lingonberries, cloudberries and mushrooms for your own use, as well as flowers, provided they are not protected. Orchids, for example, are protected throughout Sweden. You may not break off branches, strip bark from living trees or touch birds’ nests and eggs.

Fishing and boating

By rowing boat, canoe or sailing boat you may travel on almost all waters and go ashore for a short time. Fishing is a little more complicated. Along the coast and in the country’s five largest lakes – Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön – fishing with a hand-held rod is free. On all other waters you need a fishing licence (fiskekort), which can usually be bought in the nearest town or online.

Out and about with a dog

Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control. From 1 March to 20 August, dogs must be kept on a lead in the countryside, because this is when wild animals are raising their young. For the rest of the year, too, your dog should stay close enough that it does not chase or disturb wildlife.

National parks and nature reserves

National parks and nature reserves have their own, often stricter rules. Camping may only be permitted at designated sites, and fires or picking plants are sometimes banned altogether. The regulations are posted on signs at the entrances.

The key rules at a glance

• Keep your distance from houses and stay off fields.
• Camp no more than one or two nights in the same place.
• Only light fires in safe spots and never during a fire ban.
• Take your rubbish with you, including food scraps.
• Keep dogs on a lead from March to August.
• Don’t break off branches or pick protected plants.

Follow these few rules and you will experience Sweden the way Swedes themselves like it best: free, peaceful and right in the middle of nature.