How Does Crime & Safety Work in Sweden?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
Sweden is very safe for tourists overall, with violent crime against visitors being rare — standard urban pickpocket awareness in Stockholm city centre is the main practical precaution.
2What You Need to Know
Sweden is one of Europe's safer countries for tourists and violent crime targeting visitors is very rare. Some outer urban areas of Göteborg and Malmö have experienced gang-related incidents in recent years, but these are residential areas unconnected to tourist zones and visitors are extremely unlikely to encounter them. Pickpocketing in Stockholm's busy city centre areas — particularly around T-Centralen, Gamla Stan, and Drottninggatan — is the realistic petty crime risk. Standard urban awareness (keeping bags close in crowds, avoiding obvious phone display in busy streets) is sufficient protection.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Keep bags closed and phones pocketed in crowded areas of Stockholm city centre and on busy metro carriages — standard pickpocket awareness is all that is needed
- 2Tourist areas in Göteborg and Malmö are safe to explore freely — the gang-related issues in those cities are in residential outer areas, not the historic centres or tourist districts
- 3Sweden is very safe at night — women travelling alone can walk city streets after dark with normal awareness, and public transport is safe to use at all hours
How does this compare?
Crime & Safety rules in nearby and similar countries:
Germany is very safe for tourists — violent crime targeting visitors is extremely rare, though a few urban areas have localised issues worth knowing about.
The UK is generally very safe for tourists; the main risks are pickpocketing on the London Underground and avoiding a small number of rough urban areas after dark.
France is generally safe for tourists, but pickpocketing is a significant issue at iconic Paris sights — use front pockets or a money belt and stay alert at Gare du Nord and Châtelet-Les Halles at night.
Traveling to Sweden?
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More About Sweden
Tipping is not obligatory in Sweden — service is included in prices and there is no social pressure whatsoever, though rounding up or leaving 10% for genuinely good service is appreciated.
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EU citizens with an EHIC card can access Sweden's excellent public healthcare at reduced cost, but non-EU tourists should carry comprehensive travel insurance as treatment costs are high.
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Allemansrätten — Sweden's unique right to roam — lets you camp, walk, swim, and pick berries or mushrooms on almost any land, but cannabis is illegal and the drink-drive limit is a near-zero 0.02% BAC.
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The main emergency number is 112 (police, fire, ambulance); 114 14 reaches non-emergency police; 1177 is the 24/7 healthcare advice line.
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Sweden is very casual and egalitarian — practical outdoor clothing is the cultural norm, there are no formal requirements anywhere, and modest dress is appreciated when visiting churches.
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