Russian citizens planning travel to Sweden should check their passport well before departure. From 1 October 2026, Sweden’s general rule is that entry and stay require a Russian 10-year international passport with an electronic data carrier, commonly called a biometric passport. A limited transitional exception is available until the end of 2026 for some holders of five-year passports.

Who is affected by the new Swedish passport rule

The change applies to Russian citizens who intend to enter Sweden or remain in Sweden from 1 October 2026. The standard document accepted under the new requirement is a 10-year Russian international passport with an electronic data carrier.

A five-year Russian international passport does not meet Sweden’s general requirement from that date. Before making travel arrangements, check which type of passport you hold and its validity. A passport issued for 10 years with an electronic carrier is the document required under the general rule.

A temporary exception for five-year passports

Sweden has announced a limited transitional exception from 1 October through 31 December 2026, inclusive. During this period, a Russian citizen may enter and leave Sweden with a five-year passport if they hold a suitable valid visa issued before 1 October 2026.

The same transitional exception is available to a traveller with a valid residence permit issued before 1 October 2026 by Sweden, an EU Member State or a Schengen country. A residence permit is an official document allowing its holder to live in the issuing country. The exception is time-limited and should not be treated as a permanent alternative to a biometric passport.

What to check before travelling to Sweden

First, identify whether your Russian international passport is a 10-year biometric document or a five-year document. If you have a five-year passport, check whether you have a valid visa or residence permit that qualifies for the transitional exception and confirm that it was issued before 1 October 2026.

Also verify that the exception will still be in force on the date of your planned journey: it ends on 31 December 2026, inclusive. The available information does not state visa categories, application locations, fees, processing times or nationality-specific procedures. Check current requirements with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the relevant Swedish consulate before applying or travelling.

Documents for entry and departure

For travel from 1 October 2026, carry the passport that supports your right to enter Sweden. If you rely on the transitional exception, you should have your five-year passport and the relevant valid visa or residence permit. The visa or permit must have been issued before 1 October 2026 to fall within the stated exception.

The exception expressly covers both entry and exit with a five-year passport during the transition period, provided its conditions are met. Check the validity and issue date of every travel document before departure. Rules applied by carriers and border authorities may be updated, so consult the latest official notice shortly before travel.

Prepare a biometric passport in advance

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends monitoring passport requirements and obtaining a biometric international passport in good time. For travellers who expect to visit Sweden after the transitional period, a 10-year passport with an electronic carrier is the key document to arrange.

This announcement concerns passport requirements for entry and stay in Sweden. It does not provide details about visa applications, border forms, arrival registration, or residence registration. If any of those steps apply to your circumstances, confirm the current procedure directly with the competent authority or the Swedish consulate responsible for your place of application.

Что проверить

  • Check whether your Russian international passport is a 10-year biometric passport with an electronic data carrier.
  • If you hold a five-year passport, check whether you have a valid qualifying visa or residence permit.
  • Confirm that the visa or residence permit was issued before 1 October 2026.
  • If using the transitional exception, ensure your travel is no later than 31 December 2026.
  • Carry the passport and the relevant valid visa or residence permit when travelling.
  • Check the latest official information with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the relevant Swedish consulate before departure.