More about Sweden

More information

At www.informationsverige.se External link, opens in new window. you will find information about the Swedish society. Here you can read, for example, about how the housing market, the labour market and healthcare work in Sweden. There is also information about children’s rights and how the Swedish school works. You can take part in free community orientation and find exercises and films to practice Swedish.

Geography

When it comes to size, Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe, bordering Norway, Finland and Denmark. There are currently approximately 10.5 million people living in Sweden. Roughly 4 million people live in and around the three largest cities in the country: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Stockholm is Sweden's capital with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. Approximately 27 percent of the Swedish population is born abroad, which equates to roughly 2.8 million people.

Most of Sweden’s surface area is covered by forest, especially coniferous forest. About a quarter of the country consists of mountains and marshes. Off the coast there are archipelagos with tens of thousands of islands. The biggest ones are Gotland and Öland. There are over 100,000 lakes in Sweden. The three largest lakes are called Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren.

The drinking water in Sweden comes from purified surface water from our lakes. The cold water found in the taps is safe to drink and cook with.

You can read more about Sweden’s geography and population here:

Sweden – Geography and climate | The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco

Laws and age limits regarding alcohol, drugs and tobacco differ between countries. This section is about what is allowed and not allowed in Sweden.

Alcohol

Alcohol is addictive and can lead to illness, death, violence and accidents.

In order to purchase alcohol in bars and restaurants, you must be 18 years of age. The 18-year limit also applies to the purchase of cider and beer with a lower alcohol content in grocery stores. To purchase alcoholic beverages at Systembolaget, you must be 20 years of age or older. Systembolaget is owned by the Swedish government and has a limited number of stores and limited opening hours.

Selling or buying alcohol to anyone under the age of 20 is prohibited and the punishment can be a fine or imprisonment.

Tobacco

Sweden has a restrictive tobacco policy and since the late 1970s, the proportion of people who smoke has declined steadily. However, it has become more common to use snuff.

In Sweden, it is forbidden to sell tobacco or nicotine products to people under the age of 18.

In many places, smoking is prohibited, for example in schoolyards, workplaces, outside hospitals and restaurants, and in public transport.

When buying alcohol or tobacco, you may be asked to show identification to prove that you are old enough.

Drugs

In Sweden, it is illegal to possess, use, buy and sell drugs. Examples of drugs include cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamine, cocaine, heroin and cat. Some strong drugs, such as tramadol and benzodizepines, are also classified as narcotics and may only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. Drug offences can result in fines or imprisonment.

There is help to get if you want to change your alcohol habits, stop smoking or escape a drug addiction. You can read more here:

How to Change Your Alcohol Habits - 1177 (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

Alcohol Help (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

Help to Quit Smoking - 1177 (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

Stop-smoking line for those who want to quit tobacco External link, opens in new window.

Drug dependence - 1177 (in Swedish) External link, opens in new window.

www.cannabishjalpen.se External link, opens in new window.

Voluntary organisations

There are organisations in society that are largely made up of volunteers. These organisations have different areas in which they operate. You can apply to a volunteer organisation if you feel that you need support, help, advice or if you are looking for a sense of community. You can also get involved and work as a volunteer within the organisation. Volunteering means that you carry out the work of your own free will and without payment for the work. This is a type of work that you are allowed to do without AT-UND.