Am I allowed to make noise in the evening in Sweden?
There is no national law setting exact "quiet hours". The habit that it must be quiet after 22:00 comes from the landlord's or housing co-op's house rules and municipal practice — not from a statute, which is why the rules can differ between two buildings on the same street. The protection sits instead in the Environmental Code ch. 9 §3: sound that is neither minor nor temporary and that can harm health is a nuisance, and then the Environmental Office can step in. In a tenancy, repeated disturbance can lead to eviction (Land Code ch. 12 §25). In Stockholm the renovation guideline hours are weekdays 07–19, weekends 10–17, and 08–17 for tradespeople inside the flat.
📋 The rules
- No national law on exact quiet hours
- "Quiet after 10pm" comes from house rules, not law
- Environmental Code 9:3: health-harming noise is a nuisance
- Tenancy: repeated disturbance can bring eviction (Land Code 12:25)
- Stockholm renovation: weekday 07–19, weekend 10–17
🔓 Exceptions
- One-off temporary events are normally not investigated
- Construction sites are time-limited and often classed as temporary
- Ordinary living sounds (footsteps, children) must be tolerated
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A noisy tenant first gets a warning from the landlord, and on repeated disturbance the tenancy can be terminated under Land Code ch. 12 §25 — you can lose your home, not merely be told off. For businesses and building sites the Environmental Office can issue an injunction or a ban backed by a conditional fine under Environmental Code ch. 26. A one-off party is normally not investigated, so note dates and times when the noise recurs — documentation often decides the case. For acute disturbance, call the police on 114 14.
📎 Official sources
- Environmental Code (1998:808) · Riksdagen →
- City of Stockholm · Noise and disturbance →
- Union of Tenants · A neighbour disturbs →
❓ Frequently asked
Is there a law on silence after 10pm?
No, no national law sets exact quiet hours — 22:00 comes from house rules and practice, not a statute. But sound that is neither minor nor temporary and that can harm health is a nuisance under Environmental Code ch. 9 §3.
When can I drill and renovate in Stockholm?
Stockholm's guideline hours are weekdays 07–19 and weekends 10–17, and weekdays 08–17 for tradespeople working inside the flat. These are guidelines, and your building's house rules may be stricter, so check with the landlord or co-op.
Who do I complain to about a noisy neighbour?
Start with the landlord or the housing co-op, which is responsible for order in the building. If that gets nowhere, turn to the Environmental Office — and for acute disturbance in the middle of the night, call the police on 114 14.
Can a neighbour lose their flat for noise?
Yes, repeated disturbance can lead to eviction under Land Code ch. 12 §25, but only after a warning and a chance to put things right. The noise must be recurring, not one loud evening.
Must I tolerate children and footsteps from neighbours?
Yes, ordinary living sounds such as footsteps, chairs and children playing have to be accepted. It is persistent, health-harming noise that the Environmental Code regulates, while one-off events are normally not investigated.
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