To facilitate the process of applying for a new Swedish passport, we have compiled the answers to the most commonly asked questions below. Please read it through to see if your question is answered here before contacting the Embassy – that way, we can help more people!
Please find instructions and information here. You cannot book an appointment via email, phone or by visiting the Embassy.
You need to bring valid id/passport, complete application forms as well as other necessary documents. Depending on the purpose of your visit, and if you are under 18, this may vary. Find checklists for what you need to do ahead of attending your booked appointment here:
Please go through the checklist carefully to make sure that you have everything you need for your booked appointment to guarantee your application runs smoothly.
The resources at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) are limited and, by extension, also at Swedish embassies including the embassy in London.
The pandemic and Brexit have further increased the demand for passport appointments. The Embassy dedicates as much time and staff as possible to the passport section and have had discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about resources to meet the demand for many years.
According to the Swedish Passport Law, Swedish passports must be equipped with biometrics including the passport holder's headshot and fingerprints.
Collection of biometric data needs to be done for each new passport application. The passport holders’ biometric data is only stored in the passport chip itself. As the biometric data is not stored in a database, it is not possible to retrieve it to reuse in future passport/national id-card applications. This means that personal attendance is required for each passport application.
Consulates are not equipped with photo stations and are not authorised to issue ordinary passports/national ID cards. However, you can pick up your new passport/national ID card at any consulate in the UK if you notify the Embassy.
You can apply for a passport even if your current passport has expired. If your current Swedish passport / ID card is no longer valid, you can bring another valid ID document to prove your identity (British ID cards, including driving licenses, are also accepted).
If your passport has expired and you do not have another valid ID document, you must bring someone with you to your booked appointment who can prove your identity. This person needs to bring a valid ID document and proof of your relationship. An example of this can be a bill stating both of your names thus proving that you live together; an employment contract showing that you are colleagues; or a birth certificate proving your relationship. Please see our full list of who can prove your identity and the required documentation.
No. According to the Swedish Passport Law, it is the government, or the authority decided by the government, that decides what - and to what extent - embassies issue passports and national ID cards.
Since a few years back, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' position has been to concentrate the possibility of applying for Swedish passports/ID cards to fewer foreign authorities, especially in countries in relative proximity to Sweden.
You can always apply for an emergency passport at the Embassy - as well as at the consulates in Glasgow and Edinburgh - to travel to Sweden. You do not need to book an appointment for an emergency passport but be sure to visit during the opening hours for emergency passports (which differ from the reception's opening hours). The emergency passport is issued for you during your visit.
Opening hours for emergency passports can be found here.
You need to present proof of your upcoming trip abroad (within two to three days). Bring proof of your flight ticket. You also need to bring all the documentation for issuing ordinary passports according to the checklist.
Emergency passports that are issued by embassies or consulates are issued for one-way trips only, mainly to Sweden. The emergency passport is issued in paper format (A4) and contains no biometric data. More information about emergency passports can be found here.
The police in Sweden can issue emergency passports that are machine-readable and includes biometric data. Find more information about the Swedish Police's emergency passports here.
Questions about entering the UK are answered by British authorities. Contact your airline or British authorities. Find more information about entry rules for foreign nationals on the UK Government's website.
It is, however, the Embassy's understanding that the British border police at present accept Swedish provisional passports upon entering the UK.
If you are a Swedish citizen and you are traveling to Sweden, you can travel until the last day of validity on your Swedish passport. If you travel on a British passport, your passport needs to be valid for at least three (3) months after your planned return trip from Sweden.
In general, the Embassy cannot answer questions about entry rules to other countries. Information about entry rules to the UK can be found on the UK Government's website.
Yes, Swedish citizens living abroad can always apply for a new passport in Sweden. You can also have the passport sent for collection at an embassy or consulate in the UK (or elsewhere) if you state this at the time of application.
Yes, even if you are a Swedish citizen living in the UK, an embassy in another country can issue a passport which can be sent for collection in the UK or Sweden.
From the UK to Sweden:
Provided that you have a residence permit in the UK, you can travel from the UK to Sweden on your national ID card. Remember to link your national ID card to your pre-settled or settled status (EU Settlement Scheme - EUSS).
From Sweden to the UK:
According to Swedish passport law, you must travel out of Sweden with a valid passport if you are traveling outside the EU.
For information about what is required for entry into the UK, please contact British authorities.
At present, we have no reason to believe that the Embassy will receive more resources for passport operations.
It is the government, or the authority decided by the government, that decides what - and to what extent - embassies issue passports and national ID cards.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' position has been to concentrate the possibility of applying for Swedish passports/ID cards to fewer foreign authorities, especially in countries in relative proximity to Sweden.
According to Swedish Law, all fees paid to embassies go to the central government account (Riksbanken). This means that neither the Embassy nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can decide how these funds are used.
You can contact the Embassy both by phone and email.
Many answers can also be found on our passport pages.
