Wild Camping in Sweden: Is It Allowed? (2026)
Thanks to the 'allemansrätten', you can wild camp almost anywhere in nature in Sweden for one or two nights, as long as you disturb no one and damage nothing.
What's allowed
- Pitching your tent in forests and nature for one or two nights
- Roaming freely, swimming, and picking berries and mushrooms
- Lighting a fire when no fire ban is in force (not on bare rock)
- Camping with a tent on uncultivated, public land
What's not allowed
- Camping right next to a dwelling or on an inhabited property
- Staying on fields, pastures with livestock, or in nature reserves
- Remaining in the same spot for several nights
- Lighting a fire during a dry spell or fire ban
Sweden is the land of the allemansrätten — the ‘right of public access’ that lets everyone roam freely through nature. This age-old customary right is even enshrined in the constitution and makes Sweden a paradise for wild campers. The principle is simple: “do not disturb, do not destroy” (inte störa, inte förstöra).
Where it’s allowed
You can pitch your tent almost anywhere on uncultivated, public land: in forests, on heathland, along lakes. It’s also allowed on private land, as long as you don’t camp on fields or pastures with livestock and stay away from dwellings. The rule of thumb: keep at least 150 metres from any home and out of sight of houses.
Plan to stay only briefly. The allemansrätten covers one or two nights in the same spot; if you want to stay longer, ask the landowner for permission.
Open fire
A campfire is allowed in principle, but take care. Only light a fire where it cannot spread, and never directly on bare rock (it cracks and leaves marks forever). In summer, a eldningsförbud (fire ban) often applies during dry spells — always check this in advance with the local fire authority (länsstyrelsen). Ignore it, and you risk a fine as well as liability for any damage.
Practical tips
- Choose firm, natural ground and avoid fragile mosses and plants.
- Take all your litter with you — leave no trace is the norm here, not a loose suggestion.
- The allemansrätten does not apply to campervans: use official parking and motorhome spots.
- Respect wildlife during the breeding season and keep dogs on a lead (mandatory 1 March–20 August).
- Arrive late, leave early, and leave the spot cleaner than you found it.