The Sweden Government on Thursday (Sept. 30) issued a press release announces, “Adopted amendments to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendments mean that the general exemption from the entry ban for people living in certain specified countries will be adapted to align with the latest recommendation from the Council of the European Union to the EU Member States.”
The temporary entry ban entered into force on 19 March 2020 and initially applied for 30 days. It has subsequently been extended on several occasions, and under the latest such decision, the entry ban now applies until 31 October 2021.
The entry ban means that a foreign citizen departing from a state other than an EEA State or Switzerland travelling to Sweden will be denied entry into Sweden and turned away. There are a number of exemptions from the ban, but travellers are normally required to present a negative COVID-19 test result even if they are covered by one of the exemptions.
The Government’s decision to the adopted amendments means that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Moldova will be removed from the list of countries where residents are generally exempt from the entry ban solely on the ground that they reside there, while Chile, Kuwait and Rwanda will be added to the list. The decision applies as of 4 October. This means that the entry ban will be reintroduced for people residing in the countries removed from the list, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Moldova, while people residing in Chile, Kuwait and Rwanda will generally be exempt from the entry ban.
Regarding foreign citizens travelling to Sweden from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Moldova as of 4 October, only those covered by another exemption from the entry ban may enter Sweden. This includes, for example, foreign citizens who have a Swedish residence permit, people with an essential need or function in Sweden and who can also present a negative COVID-19 test.
Regarding foreign citizens travelling to Sweden from Chile, Kuwait and Rwanda as of 4 October, those who can provide proof of residence in one of these countries and in addition can present a negative COVID-19 test result are exempt from the entry ban and allowed to enter Sweden.
These amendments are the result of an update of the EU recommendations regarding travel into the EU from third countries adopted on 23 September 2021, based on information from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The amendments enter into force on 4 October 2021.
