Sweden scraps all entry rules, joining restriction-free European countries

Sweden has removed all travel restrictions, joining a growing list of European countries that have made themselves entirely open to foreign visitors.

After the requirements were lifted on Friday, April 1, non-EU visitors no longer need a vaccine or test certificate to enter the Scandinavian country.

It comes over two months after EU citizens were granted visa-free travel on February 9th, and means that unvaccinated visitors from all over the world are now allowed to visit Sweden in time for the Easter holidays.

“The Government has decided not to extend the entry ban from third countries,” the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Morgan Johansson said.

“This will make it much easier for everyone who has been prevented from coming to Sweden in recent years due to the pandemic.”

Since the beginning of the epidemic in March 2020, travel restrictions have been in place in the United Kingdom, as well as in other countries throughout the world. Travelers from non-EU nations were first subjected to merely a temporary entry prohibition.

After two years, Swedish officials have determined that the virus no longer poses a significant health risk. As of March 31, 87 percent of the Swedish population aged 12 and up had had two vaccinations, and the government is now offering over-65s a fourth injection.

Which other European countries have removed all restrictions on travel?

Sweden has recently joined a number of other European countries in removing all Covid travel restrictions.

In early March, Denmark lifted all restrictions, including the requirement that unvaccinated visitors conduct a pre-travel test. Non-EU visitors can now travel freely to the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia.

On Friday, Latvia joined the increasing list, with the exception of those from 'high-risk' countries, of whom there are currently none.