Am I allowed to use a metal detector in Sweden?
No — as a rule you may neither use nor even carry a metal detector without a permit from the county board. This follows from the Historic Environment Act (1988:950), which protects ancient remains. The trap is the carrying: having the detector with you outdoors is forbidden in itself, even if you never switch it on. Permits are narrow, cover a limited area for a limited time, and private individuals are generally not granted permits to search for ancient finds. The application costs about 990 kr per area and is not refunded if you are refused. If you find an ancient find (older than 1850) you must report it. On Gotland an effective total ban applies, and breaking the rules can bring prison.
📋 The rules
- A metal detector may not be used or carried without a permit
- Permits are sought from the county board, narrow and time-limited
- The application costs about 990 kr per area
- Ancient finds (older than 1850) must be reported
- On Gotland an effective total ban applies
🔓 Exceptions
- Some counties allow narrowly defined non-archaeological searching (modern beach, cable detection)
- Professional cable and pipe detection falls outside the hobby ban but still needs permission
- The state's right to buy can apply to precious-metal finds or hoards
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Using or merely carrying a metal detector without a permit brings fines or prison up to 6 months — the offence is complete long before you have found anything. An ancient-remains offence brings fines or up to 6 months, and up to 4 years if gross. The equipment can also be forfeited: the detector you just bought can be taken from you. And the cost starts before you even go out — the application fee of about 990 kr per area is not refunded even if the county board says no, which it often does when a private individual wants to hunt for ancient finds.
📎 Official sources
- National Heritage Board · Metal detectors →
- Historic Environment Act (1988:950) · Riksdagen →
- County Board · Metal detector permit →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I use a metal detector on the beach?
Not without a permit from the county board. Some counties may grant a narrow permit for a modern beach or for cable detection, but it is not free searching — the permit covers only a limited area for a limited time.
Do I need a permit just to own a metal detector?
Owning a metal detector is allowed, but using or even carrying it outdoors needs a permit from the county board. The carrying alone is punishable, with fines or prison up to six months.
What does the permit cost?
About 990 kr per area applied for, and the fee is not refunded even if you are refused. A permit also covers only a limited area for a limited time, and private individuals who want to hunt for ancient finds are generally refused.
What do I do if I find an old object?
Objects older than 1850 count as ancient finds and must be reported promptly to the county board or the police. Damaging or keeping an ancient find can be an ancient-remains offence, with up to four years prison if gross.
Can I use a metal detector on Gotland?
No. On Gotland an effective total ban applies, and exceptions are made essentially only for pure cable detection. The ban holds wherever on the island you want to search, and even carrying the detector outdoors is not allowed.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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