Public right of access

Public right of access (Allemansrätten) means that any person is allowed to spend time on land and in forests owned by other people, provided  certain rulesare followed. These laws give rights under certain conditions. The conditions are simply that you show consideration to other people´s property.

Allemansrättens rights and obligations are written into Swedish Criminal Law chapter 12, §4 and in §1 of the Nature Law.

Summary:

• You may cross other people´s property provided you don´t do any harm to his property.
• You may not cross other peoples front yard or garden.
• You may camp (tent) one or two days provided you do no harm to the property or disturb the property owner. You may not cut trees or branches for the campsite.
• You may travel across waters, swim, temporarily moor your boat and go ashore, except close to owner´s garden, private jetty or similar arrangements.
• You may pick vild flowers, provided they are not protected, you may pick berries and mushrooms, all for your own and immediate consumption. You may not dig up plants.
• You may light a fire if there is no fire hazard. The fire should be put out before you leave. You may not cut trees or branches for the fire. NOTE! Occasionally there is a general ban on open fires durig drought period! Never light a fire on a smooth rock, since it will crack.
• You may fish with handheld equipment along the east coast and Mälaren, but do find out if this general rule pertains to your area.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash 1 march-10 august. In the archipelago, dogs must be on leash at all times. This is for the protection of sea birds who abandon nests with eggs if they are alarmed by free running dogs. Many of these birds are hatching lata in the season. You must be particulaly observant yourself and move with caution as you may disturb hatching birds. In certain areas of the archipelago birds are protected during prolonged periods (fågelskyddsområden). Check local maps and charts.
• It is strictly forbidden to litter or to do harm to nature or wildlife.
• There are local rules for horseback riding and motordriven vehicles outside of prepared roads. Check before your horse or vehicle is taken from you.