22.1 Licence to import or possess a weapon

A weapon licence is required to import and/or possess any type of weapon, including firearms, tear gas pistols or other tear gas or pepper spray devices, and weapons must be kept exclusively on the premises of a mission. The licence holder must have the weapon licence with them when carrying the weapon.

Weapon licence applications must be submitted to the Police well in advance of the purchase or import of the weapon. The application form and more information about the application process can be found on the Swedish Police's website.

All weapons, including essential parts and ammunition, must be stored in secure cabinets tested and approved in accordance with the applicable Swedish standard.

All licence holders are obliged to observe Swedish weapons laws and regulations concerning. Dispatching weapons in a diplomatic bag is not permitted.

If the licence holder intends to take a weapon with them when leaving Sweden, they must submit an application to the Police well in advance. The application form and more information about the application process can be found on the Swedish Police's website. The weapon must also be declared at Swedish Customs upon export.

If the licence holder does not intend to take the weapon with them, the weapon must be sold or transferred to a licenced weapons dealer or another person who is authorised to possess the weapon.

For further questions relating to weapons, please contact the Swedish Police.

Licence for hunting or target shooting

Hunting licence applicants must pass a hunters training course. Information on how to apply for a hunting licence can be found on the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife website. 

Active membership in a shooting club and a certificate verifying that the applicant is an experienced target shooter are required for a target-shooting licence.