Am I allowed to keep beehives in Sweden?
Yes — you may keep beehives, but you must report where they are to the county board. This follows from the Bee Diseases Act (1974:211) and is about controlling contagious bee diseases such as American foulbrood and the varroa mite. The report is free and is made when you start or take over an apiary; a move must be reported within one week. No municipal permit and no statutory minimum distance are required, but the Environmental Code's nuisance rules apply in built-up areas. In Stockholm no permit is needed, but the municipality can act on complaints. If foulbrood breaks out, protection and surveillance zones are set up.
📋 The rules
- Report the apiary's location to the county board (free)
- Report on starting or taking over an apiary
- A move is reported within one week
- No municipal permit, no statutory minimum distance
- On foulbrood: protection and surveillance zones are set up
🔓 Exceptions
- An empty apiary need not be reported if empty for under 3 months
- In built-up areas the Environmental Code's nuisance rules apply to neighbours
- On a disease outbreak the county board can order a movement ban in the zone
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Failing to report disease or follow the rules is punishable under the Bee Diseases Act with day-fines (income-based). On a disease outbreak hives may have to be destroyed; compensation of 100 kr per colony can be paid.
📎 Official sources
- County Board Stockholm · Beekeeping →
- Board of Agriculture · Bees and bumblebees →
- Bee Diseases Act (1974:211) · Riksdagen →
❓ Frequently asked
Must I report my beehives?
Yes. You report where the apiary is to the county board, so that contagious bee diseases can be controlled.
Does reporting cost anything?
No, reporting the apiary's location to the county board is free.
Do I need the municipality's permission?
No, no municipal permit is needed, but the Environmental Code's nuisance rules apply in built-up areas.
Must I report if I move the hives?
Yes. A move of the apiary must be reported to the county board within one week.
What happens with a bee disease?
The county board sets up protection and surveillance zones, and infected hives may have to be destroyed.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I keep beehives sweden”
- “report apiary county board”
- “beekeeping permit municipality”
- “bee disease foulbrood sweden”
- “moving beehive report sweden”
- “beekeeping neighbours rules”