Am I allowed to hunt in Sweden?
Only if you have everything in place — the right of public access does not include hunting. You need four things: a hunting exam, a paid annual wildlife management fee (hunting card) of 400 kr, hunting rights (the landowner's permission or a lease) and a weapon licence from the police for your firearms. The hunting year runs 1 July–30 June and the card is renewed annually. The minimum age for a weapon licence is 18 (15 only with special reasons). Hunting seasons are set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Hunting without rights is a hunting offence and can bring prison and forfeited equipment.
📋 The rules
- The right of public access gives no right to hunt
- Required: hunting exam + wildlife fee + hunting rights + weapon licence
- Wildlife fee (hunting card): 400 kr/year
- Weapon licence: minimum age 18
- Hunting seasons are set by the EPA
🔓 Exceptions
- Protective hunting can occur outside the regular season by decision
- A landowner hunts their own land without a lease (but still needs exam, card and licence)
- A weapon licence from age 15 in special cases
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Hunting offence (Hunting Act §43): fines or up to 1 year prison. Gross hunting offence (§44): 6 months–4 years prison. Weapons, vehicles and game can be forfeited and hunting rights revoked.
📎 Official sources
- EPA · Wildlife management fee →
- Swedish Police · Hunting firearms →
- Hunting Act (1987:259) · Riksdagen →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I hunt under the right of public access?
No. The right of public access does not cover hunting. You need a hunting exam, card, hunting rights and a weapon licence.
What does the hunting card cost?
The wildlife management fee is 400 kr per year, paid to the state before you may hunt.
How old must I be for a weapon licence?
18. In special cases a licence can be granted from age 15.
Do I need the landowner's permission?
Yes. You must have hunting rights, either as the landowner or through a lease or permission.
What is the penalty for illegal hunting?
A hunting offence brings fines or up to 1 year prison, a gross offence 6 months–4 years, plus forfeited equipment.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “am I allowed to hunt sweden”
- “hunting exam requirement sweden”
- “wildlife fee hunting card 400”
- “weapon licence age 18 sweden”
- “hunting rights landowner sweden”
- “penalty illegal hunting sweden”