How EU membership benefits Sweden

“EU membership has made Sweden wealthier and stronger, and is now more important than ever. Through the EU, we’re able to act more forcefully to support Ukraine in the fight for peace and freedom and to end the war on our continent. It also enables us to make Europe more attractive to entrepreneurs and innovators, combat cross-border organised crime and implement the green and digital transitions,” says Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz.

Sweden has benefited from EU membership in many ways; and the Union has become an important aspect of Swedish society. Here are a few examples:

• The single market, with the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, is one of the EU’s cornerstones and generates an estimated SEK 300 billion for Sweden every year. Approximately two thirds of Swedish exports go to single market countries.
• Schengen cooperation has benefited Sweden’s trade and tourism and has thus contributed to Sweden’s economic growth. This cooperation has also made it easier for Swedish companies to recruit labour from other Schengen countries.
• Sweden has been a driving force on climate and environment issues ever since it joined the EU. Common EU legislation has reduced air pollution in Sweden through regulations on fuel quality, vehicle standards and environmental law in the industrial and energy sectors.
• The Professional Qualifications Directive enables nurses, teachers and architects to work in other EU countries.
• EU cooperation provides funding for research and development, and support for agriculture and regions.
• EU roaming rules enable Swedes to use their phones throughout the EU at no extra cost.
• The ERASMUS+ programme helps Swedes to finance their education and gain valuable professional experience in the EU.
• The EU established the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) in 2021. It is tasked with ensuring the availability of vaccines, drugs and protective equipment such as gloves and masks.
• Law enforcement and legal cooperation between Member States has been made more efficient. For example, Swedish police can obtain help from French police in a variety of crime-related matters.
• Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Sweden can provide help to affected countries and receive help from other countries in the event of a natural disaster or crisis. Examples of such support include aircraft for firefighting or donations of medical equipment.
• The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) monitors developments all over the world and around the clock, and coordinates EU disaster management measures and affected countries’ appeals for help. 

Learn more about the Government’s priorities in its EU work in the box to the right.