Wild camping in Sweden – What's allowed and what isn't

There's no trace of other people or even civilization as far as you can see. If this thought makes your fingers itch we have good news for you: In Sweden it's possible to experience just that! And unlike in most European countries you don’t have to make any sacrifices. How is that possible? In Sweden, the so-called ´right of public access` applies. What that means for your camping trip and what you should take into consideration when wild camping in Sweden you can find out here.

We can answer that question with joy: Yes! In Sweden the public right to access has been in place for generations. Since 1994 it has even been firmly anchored in the constitution.

In concrete terms, the right to public access means that land can be owned by individuals but it must still be available to everyone else. That means you can even spend the night on private property. By the way, this applies nationwide and there are no regional differences regarding the rules. So if you want to pitch your tent in any place you can do so with almost no exceptions. Only in national parks and nature reserves camping often isn't allowed. In terms of time, a stay of 2 nights is usually within the tolerance range. Permanent campers are also not wanted here.

It's only a little more complicated when you're free standing with your camper. You are not allowed to stand in the middle of nature with your home on wheels, after all it's not in the spirit of the law to speed through the undergrowth with a 3-ton monster. If you like to travel by camper you can of course explore Sweden on 4 wheels and spend the night in the camper. Just look for a public parking lot where spending the night is not explicitly prohibited or one of the many campsites. An exception is free standing on the beach: Here you may stand even with the camper.

By the way: The right to public access does not only include the use of nature in terms of surface areas but also permits the gathering and consumption of everything that the Swedish forests have to offer provided, of course, that the plant is not protected. Whether berries or mushrooms the resourceful collector can certainly take advantage of the lush nature. However, we strongly recommend that you only eat plants that you are absolutely sure are edible!

Fishing laws in Sweden are also much more relaxed than in Germany. Outside of nature reserves fishing in lakes or rivers is allowed even without a fishing license.

First of all, it's important to mention that even if camping is officially allowed on private property no one is happy to see a tent camp in their front yard. That’s why it’s always important to keep an appropriate distance from houses and residential areas. The same applies to farmland and grazing land: if you don’t want to be woken up by an angry farmer it’s better to avoid them.

Furthermore, the protection of plants and wildlife should be a top priority for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature and wants to continue to do so. Be attentive when choosing a campsite and pay attention to bushes and trees as these should not be damaged if possible. Garbage is of course always taken away and disposed of according to the rules. If you don't have a camping toilet on board or if you're travelling with a tent it's also best to always bring a shovel to build an improvised toilet. In this case, make sure not to leave any paper behind! And even if it's allowed to take berries, mushrooms, etc., you should only take as much as you really need for your personal needs.

Another very important topic are campfires. There's no general ban on open fires but you should be particularly careful. Even though Sweden is not known for long periods of drought there is a risk of forest fires at certain times of the year.

In very basic terms, you should always leave your campsite for the night just as you found it. After all, the next person should be able to enjoy it as much as you do.

In general, Sweden is a very safe country even for wild camping, on the other hand there are some rules of conduct. In order to not become a target of robberies or thefts it's recommended to avoid highway rest areas and to not camp within sight of roads. Valuables should be stored as hidden as possible.

And aren’t there bears in Sweden? That’s right but they avoid humans as much as possible. If you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to see one of the brown giants keep calm, make yourself as big as possible and keep eye contact. Do not run away under any circumstances!

A much more inconspicuous but real danger to humans are moose but more in terms of road traffic. These animals can weigh up to 800 kg which makes a collision extremely dangerous for both parties. Therefore, always drive carefully and pay attention to signs!

Another danger, especially when camping in nature comes from ticks. Especially in the warmer months Sweden is considered an absolute risk area which is why a vaccination against TBE is absolutely recommended.

In Sweden, a true wild campers dreams come true. Just walking through nature and being able to set up camp in any place without having to fear fines or charges is something very few countries can offer. But just because we are given so much freedom the respectful treatment of people and nature is a duty for everyone who wants to experience this idyll. With our tips nothing stands in the way of your wild camping trip to Sweden! Have fun exploring all the beautiful places it has to offer.