Sweden in the EU

The Government has decided on a ban on entry to Sweden to prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 entering the country or being spread to other countries. A temporary entry ban for entry from EU/EEA States and certain other states has been in force since February. As of 30 June, the Swedish regulation has been adapted to the EU regulation on a COVID certificate. This entails an entry ban on travel to Sweden from EU/EEA States unless a vaccination certificate, a test certificate, a certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19 or a corresponding certificate can be presented. At present, this regulation applies until 31 August 2021. Entry from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway is not subject to any entry restrictions. A temporary ban on non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/EEA to Sweden, introduced following a call from the European Council and the European Commission, has been in effect since March 2020. Since February, the ban has included a requirement to present a certificate verifying a negative COVID-19 test result for entry into Sweden. To travel to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA, you must be covered by at least one of the exemptions from the entry ban and also be able to present a negative COVID-19 test or be exempt from the test requirement. These rules have been extended on multiple occasions and at present apply until 31 August 2021.

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented ‘Fit for 55’, the EU’s new climate package. The package contains the Commission’s proposals for reducing emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren welcomes the package, which represents a major and important step for the EU’s climate action.

Today, 15 July 2021, the Act containing supplementary provisions on cooperation in criminal matters between the European Union and the United Kingdom enters into force.

Discussions on the situation in Russia and how the EU should manage it, along with LGBTIQ issues, dominated the EU summit on 24–25 June. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and other EU leaders also addressed the COVID-19 situation and the economic recovery.

When the EU’s heads of state and government meet in Brussels on 24–25 June, they will discuss the economic situation in the EU, migration and a number of foreign policy issues. They will also look at activities related to COVID-19. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and his colleagues will kick off the summit with a working lunch with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Government has decided to extend the entry ban on travel to Sweden from EU/EEA countries. The Swedish regulations are also being adapted to the EU regulation on a COVID certificate. This mainly entails an entry ban on travel to Sweden unless a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID-19 test result, a certificate confirming recovery from COVID-19 or a corresponding certificate can be presented. The extension enters into force on 30 June and remains in effect until 31 August. Entry from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway is still not subject to any entry restrictions.

On Tuesday 22 June 2021, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will receive Latvian President Egils Levits. They will discuss matters including relations between the two countries, the security situation in the neighbourhood, management of the COVID-19 pandemic and EU matters such as the rule of law.

On Monday 14 June, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will receive European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius.

The Government has decided on an amendment to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendment concerns an exemption for residents of a certain specified non-EU country and is in line with the Council of the European Union’s latest recommendation to EU Member States.

Webinar 28 May 2021, organised by the Academy of Finland project ‘Transparency in the EU – From Reaction to Manifesto’ (TrUE), Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights and in cooperation with the Open Government in the EU Blog Check against delivery