Photography & Drones — Sweden

Photography is generally lawful in Sweden, but it is a criminal offence to photograph a designated "protected object" (skyddsobjekt) once a depiction ban has been imposed on it. Under the Protective Security Act (Skyddslag 2010:305) 7 §, a decision that a site is a protected object bars unauthorised access, including access by an unmanned craft (drone), and by a separate decision that access ban may also be combined with a prohibition on making depictions, descriptions or measurements of or within the object. 22 § requires the owner or user of the object to give notice of the decision by clear signage or other means, so the restriction is marked at the place itself. The objects that may be designated include military and defence facilities, government and parliamentary buildings, and certain supply, energy and transport installations. The rule is national and applies to visitors and residents alike; photographing people and places outside a designated protected object is not restricted by this Act.

Breaching a depiction, description or measurement ban at a protected object -- "olovlig avbildning av skyddsobjekt" -- is punished by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year (Skyddslag 2010:305, 30 a §). Unauthorised access to a protected object, or remaining inside it unlawfully, is punished by imprisonment for up to two years; if the offence is minor, by a fine or imprisonment for up to six months (30 §). Both offences can be committed intentionally or negligently. A person guarding a protected object may order a body search and search a vehicle, vessel or aircraft brought to the place, and may seize objects that may be evidence of an offence under the Act (11 §, 14 §).

Verified Oct 9, 2026