🔑 Can I keep something I found in Sweden?

Yes

Quick answer

Not straight away — you must first report what you found to the police. Under the Lost Property Act you must hand the item to the police, or to a known owner, without unreasonable delay. If no owner is found within three months the item becomes yours, and if the owner is found but does not collect the item within one month of being notified, it also falls to you. You are entitled to a reasonable finder's reward, usually around 10 per cent of the value — so it is a right, not a courtesy. The trap is doing nothing: failing to report is a petty finding offence, and deliberately keeping or selling the item is unlawful disposal, with up to 2 years in prison. Left something on the bus? That is handled by the transport operator.

📋 The rules

You must report found property to the police without delay
Owner not found within 3 months: the item becomes yours
Owner does not collect within 1 month of notice: it becomes yours
A right to a reasonable reward, often around 10%
Not reporting is a finding offence

🔓 Exceptions

Items left on public transport are handled by the operator, not the Lost Property Act
Cash must also be reported and passes to the finder after 3 months
Accident sites and specially regulated areas follow their own rules

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Failing to report a find is a petty finding offence, punishable by fines — it is enough that you keep the wallet in a drawer. Deliberately keeping or selling the item is unlawful disposal: fines or up to 2 years in prison, and 6 months to 4 years for a serious offence. What makes the difference is time, not luck: only after three months without an owner does the item become yours, and before that it is someone else's. Cash must be reported in the same way, and by reporting you also earn the right to a reasonable finder's reward, often around 10 per cent.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I keep a wallet I found?

Not straight away. You must report it to the police without unreasonable delay, and only if no owner is found within three months does the wallet become yours. The same goes for cash you find.

How long must I wait before the item becomes mine?

Three months if no owner is found at all. If the owner is found but does not collect the item within one month of being notified, it also falls to you — so then one month is enough.

Am I entitled to a finder's reward?

Yes, you are entitled to a reasonable finder's reward, usually around 10 per cent of the value. The right does, however, depend on your having done the right thing and actually reported the find.

What happens if I do not report it?

It is a petty finding offence, punishable by fines. If you deliberately keep or sell the item it is unlawful disposal, with fines or up to 2 years in prison and 6 months to 4 years for a serious offence.

What about things I left on the bus?

They are handled by the transport operator under its own procedures, not under the Lost Property Act. So you turn to the public transport lost property office, not to the police.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“can I keep what I found sweden”
“report lost property police”
“lost property 3 months”
“finders reward 10 percent”
“left on the bus lost property”
“unlawful disposal found item”