Free camping in Sweden: these are the rules for campers, caravans and tents

Do you want to go camping in Sweden with your camper, caravan or tent? That is possible, but there are a number of rules regarding wild camping in Sweden. In this article I explain to you what the rules are and what the consequences are of the fact that more and more visitors do not adhere to the rules of the age-old right of public access. Enjoy reading!

Hey! My name is Antonette and I have been living in Swedish Lapland since the summer of 2023. On my site you will therefore find a lot of tips and facts written by a local. Enjoy reading!

The Swedes are proud of their ‘Allemansrätten’ or the right of public access. It is a unique right and is part of the Swedish way of life: everyone has the right to enter the country. The right of public access actually means that you can freely recreate in nature, but there are of course a number of conditions attached to the right of public access. It is absolutely not the case that ‘anything is allowed in Sweden’.

The right of public access has existed for a very long time and it is therefore very important that you as a visitor adhere to the rules so that generations after us can also enjoy it. Below you will find the most important rules regarding free camping in Sweden. If something is not completely clear or you are in a place where something can be interpreted to your advantage or disadvantage, choose not to do something. Non-compliance with rules by tourists is not appreciated by Swedes and fines can be high. 

The most important part of the right to all rights is that you treat nature in a respectful manner. You may not harm, disturb or damage flora and fauna. If you camp somewhere freely, you always leave the place as you found it and no one should notice that you have camped there. Take rubbish with you and leave no traces of human activity.

If you have to run a large errand and there is no public toilet, do this out of sight of where you are. Stay away from water sources (rivers, lakes) because Sweden often drinks water straight from nature, especially in the mountains. Bury your human waste so that no one else is confronted with it and take your toilet paper with you, including biodegradable toilet paper.

You can pick flowers and plant products freely in nature, but check that the land where you are is not owned by anyone, because this means that everything that grows there is also owned by that person. If you are not sure whether you can pick a certain flower or plant, choose not to.

Wild camping is allowed in most places, even if the land belongs to someone. In this case, however, you must ask for (and therefore receive) permission before setting up your tent or placing your camper here. You often find out whether a piece of land is private property when there is a fence around it or a sign hanging up. Without permission from the owner of the land, you are not allowed to spend the night there and you are punishable. In addition, wild camping is not permitted in most national parks and some nature reserves, unless otherwise stated.

You may stay at the camping site for a maximum of 24 hours and the next visitor may not be able to see that you have camped here. Making a fire is often allowed, provided there is no ban on open fire due to forest fire danger. You can find more about making a fire later in this article.

The rules are slightly stricter for campers and caravans. Camper tourism in particular has become extremely popular in recent years and with the arrival of apps such as Park 4 Night and iOverlander, remote places are becoming increasingly famous. It is therefore certainly not inconceivable that the rules regarding wild camping with a camper or caravan will be tightened in the coming years, something that is already happening in neighboring Norway.

Initially, the same rules apply to campers and caravans as for free camping with your tent. In addition, wild camping with a camper or caravan is limited by the so-called ‘Terrängkörningslagen’. According to them, you are not allowed to drive your motorized vehicle (including mopeds and motorcycles) on uncovered ground in nature. You are also not allowed to drive on private roads that are closed to motorized transport, which is indicated by a prohibition sign. So you are not allowed to just leave the road with your vehicle to go camping somewhere in Sweden.

Of course, the general norms and values ​​always apply when camping in the wild. Consider not making noise, not playing loud music and not causing a nuisance. Treat nature and other campers with respect. 

Making a campfire is not only cozy, but also keeps you warm and the mosquitoes at bay. Always take precautions. First check whether making an open fire is allowed at all. In the summer months it often happens that starting a fire is not allowed due to drought. Choose a place where you will not damage nature and there is a minimal chance that the surface will catch fire, causing a major fire.

You may use branches that are already on the ground to make a campfire, but it is not permitted to saw down trees or break off branches. At many gas stations you can buy ‘starter kits’ for making a campfire: a simple way to get a fire burning well. Fireproof bags are also available in many places. Never light a fire on bare rocks, which can crack due to the heat, causing dangerous situations. Always make sure you have enough water nearby to extinguish the fire and extinguish the fire when you leave the place or go to sleep.

It’s great to go into nature with your dog in Sweden. In some places the dog is allowed to run free, but not everywhere. Swedes themselves never let their dogs loose in nature because of the disturbance of wildlife. In areas where reindeer live (from Dalarna northwards) your dog must always be kept on a leash. When a dog chases a reindeer and causes stress, this can have serious consequences for the entire herd. In many cases, a Sami is allowed to shoot an off-leash dog if it threatens his reindeer. Never let your dog run loose in the area where reindeer live.

The closer you get to civilization, the more limited the conditions and rules. In national parks there is often a dog ban, check the exact conditions per park. In addition, take into account the hunting season and the period in which young animals are born. Are you in doubt? Then leash your dog to prevent problems.

Although I personally do not believe in the disappearance of the right to all rights, I do suspect that the rules will be tightened up for campers and caravans in the coming years, simply because too many tourists no longer adhere to the rules. In recent years, I have unfortunately regularly witnessed antisocial behavior by tourists traveling with a camper or caravan. Consider camping on exposed ground, blocking access roads, leaving waste in nature and not covering your poop remains.

So let’s just stick to the rules and treat the Swedes and their nature with respect. I and my fellow residents are grateful to you!

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Hopefully you found this article about free camping in Sweden useful. If you would like to read more about traveling in Sweden, you may also like the following articles:

• Mosquitoes in Sweden: this is what you want to know
• Five tips for an active holiday in Sweden
• On holiday in the summer in Sweden: you should take this into account

Hej hej!

_{Mijn naam is Antonette! Na meer dan 12 reizen door Zweden besloot ik in de zomer van 2023 naar Zweeds-Lapland emigreren. Daarvoor reisde ik met mijn oude Volvo door Zweden op zoek naar de meest bijzondere plekjes voor mijn reisboeken.} 

_{Wist je dat je mij jouw reis door Zweden kunt laten plannen? Je ontvangt een prachtig op maat gemaakt reisvoorstel inclusief een dag-tot-dagprogramma, handige routetips en meer.}

JA DAT WIL IK!

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