Bags at Events – Questions and Answers

No, not necesssarily, it depends on the event. The organiser is responsible for informing visitors of any restrictions that may apply and whether bags are allowed or not.  To avoid any uncertainty, it is recommended to check the organiser's website or ask the organiser when buying tickets or when receiving notifications about the event to find out if any restrictions apply. 

The organiser is responsible for informing visitors about rules and regulations for the event and whether bags are allowed or not. Often, this information can be found on the organiser's website or is provided during the ticket purchasing process or in other notifications.

Decisions regarding bag restrictions have been assessed by the Police Authority on a case-by-case basis. It is now up to each organiser to decide whether they want to continue with a bag ban or if they want to and have the ability to take measures to safely handle bags brought to the event. Given the elevated terrorist threat and the resulting security situation, organisers of large events must continue to take relevant security measures.

For an event to be excluded from a bag ban, the organiser must have a plan in place for handling bags brought to the event in order to ensure that the event is as safe and secure as possible. If the organiser is unwilling or unable to take such measures, the police can, with the support of the Public Order Act, continue to impose requirements that prohibit bags from being brought to the event.

Organisers can also, on their own initiative choose not to allow bags to be brought to the event, without the Police Authority having imposed requirements to that effect.

The permit that the organiser receives from the Police Authority can be subject to requirements specific to the particular event, based for example on an assessment of safety, the number of visitors, and the design of the venue. Therefore, the rules can look different for different organisers.

Organisers can always choose to prohibit bags from being brought to their event on their own initiative, without the Police Authority having imposed requirements to that effect.

The Police Authority can also assess that a restriction prohibiting bags is necessary for the event and inform the organiser of this. In such cases, the following applies:

• All visitors who are part of the audience at an event where a bag ban has been imposed are affected by the ban. The ban does not apply to people working at the event or journalists on duty.
• The ban also applies to paper bags, plastic bags and transparent bags.
• Exceptions can be made for people who, for medical reasons, need to bring a bag into the event. Exceptions can also be made for people with children who need to bring a diaper bag. Such bags must be inspected by authorized personnel before entry.
• Wallets and small toiletry bags that can fit in a pocket are not subject to the restriction.
• Any storage of bags must be located outside the area where the event is taking place. For example, it is not possible to store bags in a cloakroom located on the same premises as the event.
• If you are caught with a bag, it is up to the organiser to decide what repercussions this may have for you as a visitor. If the requirements regarding a bag ban set by the Police Authority regarding the bag ban are not followed, it may be considered a breach of the Public Order Act for the organiser.

Requirements in already issued permits or notifications still apply. You can choose to request a change to your bag ban requirement. Contact the police as soon as possible if that's the case. You will need to describe the measures you plan to take to handle bags brought to the event without negatively impacting safety. You will need to wait for the Police Authority's decision to know what requirements apply to your event.

All decisions regarding bag requirements have been made by the Swedish Police Authority on a case-by-case basis. It is now up to you as the organiser to decide whether you want to continue with a bag ban or if you want the Swedish Police Authority to change the requirement in your permit to allow bags to be brought into the event. 

As the organiser, you need to describe the measures you plan to take to handle bags brought to the event without safety being negatively impacting. Given the elevated terrorist threat and the resulting security situation, organisers of large events must continue to take relevant security measures.

To request a change, send an email with the following information:

• State that you wish to change the previously issued requirement regarding the bag ban
• Specify the date of your event
• Specify the reference number (e.g. A123.123/2025) that appears on your permit/notification
• Describe how you, as the organiser, plan to handle bags brought to the event to ensure a safe and secure event without safety being negatively impacting. This may include security checks and crowd management. For further reference, please read the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency's (MSB) event guide.
• You can also write a letter including the information above and send it by regular mail to the Police Authority.

Send the email or letter to the police region where the event will be held. You can find all the addresses here. 

No fee will be charged for the change.

You need to wait for a decision to be made by the Police Authority's to know which requirement applies to your event. Until you receive a new decision, the previous requirement still applies.

It's not possible to give an exact answer on how long the review process will take in each case. The police have allocated extra resources and are doing everything we can to make the transition period as smooth as possible.

If you haven't already done so, your case needs to be supplemented with a description of the measures you, as the organiser, will take to handle bags brought to the event for a safe and secure arrangement, so that the bags do not negatively impact safety. Always include your reference number when contacting the police.

Smaller events that have not been subject to requirements regarding bag bans, or where such conditions have not been deemed necessary, are not impacted by the Police Authority's decision.

The terrorist threat level in Sweden was raised in August 2023 from level three to four on a five-point scale. For that reason and in order to contribute to maintaining safety and order at events, the Police Authority has applied a national policy with requirements regarding bags at larger events from November 2023. 

In May 2025 the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) lowered the terrorist threat level to level three on the five-point scale. The Police Authority assesses, based on the lowered terrorist threat level, that bags can now be allowed at larger events as well.

According to the Public Order Act, the Swedish Police Authority may impose requirements concerning safety and order (Chapter 2, Section 16 of the Public Order Act). This means that when an organiser applies for a permit to hold a public gathering or public event, or notifies the police that such an event will be held, the police can impose requirements necessary to maintain safety and order. This can include requirements such as the organiser being required to hire security guards, making enclosures within the venue, or restrictions on what items are allowed to be brought into the event.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) Event Safety Guide provides guidance on how to organize safe events.

Event Safety Guide, The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)