Allemansrätten / the Swedish Right of Public Access
In Sweden, anyone can enjoy the pleasures of the countryside. It's an ancient entitlement known as Allemansrätten: it is called 'everymans right', right of common or the right of public access. It insures that all the land is accessible provided that you respect nature and other people's privacy.
If you jump at www.allemansratten.se, Naturvårdsverket, the Swedish Environment Protection Agency, has summarized the most important things to know about the swedish right of public access (in english, german and swedish). There you can read more in detail about the "rules".
The right of public access is a freedom for all: it means that everyone in Sweden has the right to be out in the countryside, visitors from abroad as well as Swedish citizens. You can use and enjoy all natural spaces in Sweden, whether it is privately owned or from the government.
The main rule is that you don't damage the landscape or animal life, and you must show consideration for both landowners and for everyone else that is out and about in the countryside. In short: "Do not disturb, do not destroy".
One may also look upon the right of public access as a great freedom. But our freedom in the countryside must not infringe upon the freedom of others. The right of public access requires consideration, responsibility and good judgement. We must not damage the landscape or animal life, and we must show consideration for both landowners and for others who are out in the countryside.
Under the right of public access, everyone is entitled to cross - at least on foot - anyone's land and remain there temporarily. It is a freedom that imposes great demands for care and consideration toward nature (including animal life), landowners and other people out in the countryside. Rules describing the kinds of consideration that must be shown are incorporated into Sweden's environmental law, and apply to everyone who exercises the right of public access.
The right of public access is a unique right that we have in Sweden, it is a benefit not found in a great many other countries (there is a similar system in Norway and Finland).
Allemansrätten isn't a law, it is a custom, that began hundreds of years ago. If people traveling the countryside were in need of collecting food to survive or feeding their horses, access to the land was theirs. The origins of the right of public access can be traced back to laws and customs of the Middle Ages. For example, anyone travelling through a forest was entitled to gather a hatful of nuts for nourishment along the way. Such customs survived through the centuries, and have influenced today's right of public access - a cultural heritage worth preserving for the future. But nowadays, of course, people don't have to go on others' property for survival any more. Now it's more for enjoyment, for recreation.
Nowadays, the right of public access is associated primarily with tourism and outdoor recreation. But it has never been self-evident. Many regard the growth of outdoor recreation and tourism as a threat to the environment and resident population of the countryside. There have been many proposals for regulating the right of public access, but none of them has been put into law. The right of public access is still a freedom with responsibility.
Bathing and boating
The right of public access also applies to Swedish waters. It is permitted to travel by boat along coastlines, and on lakes and watercourses. The requirement to show consideration for the surroundings applies equally on water as on land. Considering the sensitive animal life on islands and along shorelines, it is necessary to be especially attentive and cautious.
Bathing, mooring and going ashore - It is generally permitted to go ashore, bathe and temporarily moor boats along shorelines, except in the immediate vicinity of a dwelling. The decisive issue is the risk of disturbing residents. Where there is no risk of that or of damaging nature, it is usually permitted to tent on or near the shore or overnight on a moored boat for 24 hours or so.
It is also permitted to temporarily moor a boat at a pier that is not associated with a building lot. An obvious condition is that the owner of the pier must not be hindered from using it. However, it is not permitted to moor a boat for any length of time at pier or in water without express permission.
Water skis and personal watercraft - There is a general prohibition in Sweden against operating personal watercraft, except within certain areas for training and competition. There may also be local prohibitions against water-skiing.
Stricter regulations in protected areas
In national parks, nature reserves and other protected areas, special rules apply. They may involve such matters as lighting fires, setting up tents and mooring boats. Bird sanctuaries have been established on many islands of the archipelagos. It is forbidden to land on those or remain in waters within one hundred metres of the shore. Such areas are posted with yellow or red-and-yellow signs.
Protected natural areas - Sweden has 28 national parks and over 2000 nature reserves distributed across the country. In national parks, nature reserves and other protected areas, there are special regulations which usually involve some restrictions on the right of public access.
Laws to protect nature - Areas that are especially worthy of preservation due to highly valuable natural features or their importance for outdoor recreation can be protected by application of the Swedish Environment Act. Natural areas with historical remains are protected by law. In addition, there may be local regulations for recreational areas. Information about the regulations that apply are available at tourist bureaus.
Symbol with a message - The symbol for protected natural areas has the shape of a six-pointed star. It is used to mark the boundaries of protected areas. The white symbol may be seen on trees or small blue markers. It is used often o
n maps, including tourist maps. The star symbol signifies not only that a natural area is worth a visit, but also that it may be subject to special regulations which restrict the right of public access.
National parks - Every national park has its own set of regulations. They may have to do with commercial activities, fires, horseback riding, cycling, dogs, tenting, or the gathering of plants and other natural objects. Notice-boards provide information in English on the regulations that apply in the park. Information is also available at tourist bureaus or at tourist facilities associated with the park.
Nature reserves - Nature reserves have a variety of different purposes and, for that reason, the regulations may vary. They may involve restrictions on the right to tent, light fires, ride horses, cycle or operate motor vehicles on roads within the area.
Natural monuments - Unusual natural formations can be protected as natural monuments. They may be remarkable trees, giant cauldrons, boulders transported by glaciers, or other exceptional features devised by nature. In most cases, the legal protection also incudes the area in the immediate vicinity of the natural monument.
Landscape preservation - Valuable sections of landscape that have been influenced by human activity can be protected by law, with regulations similar to those of nature reserves.
Shoreline protection - In Sweden, there are laws that regulate construction near shorelines. The purpose is to secure the general public's access to the shoreline and to preserve habitat for plant and animal life. Within protected shoreline areas, there may also be regulations that involve restrictions on the right of public access. It may, for example, be forbidden to set up tents on certain islands or beaches in popular tourist areas.
Plant and animal sanctuaries - Areas where there is need of special protection for plant or animal species may be set aside as bird or seal sanctuaries, for example. It is forbidden to enter such areas during certain times of the year. When they are located on or near a shore, it is also forbidden to be present in the offshore waters within a certain distance from the shoreline. Bird sanctuaries are marked with yellow or red-and-yellow signs in two different formats. The signs explain what the prohibition consists of.
(Font: Naturvårdsverket, the Swedish Environment Protection Agency - More info at www.allemansratten.se)