When organising an event or gathering – apply for a permit

If the event or gathering is to be organised in a public place, you need to apply for a permit. For an event or gathering to be considered public, it has to be organised for the benefit of the general public or be open to the general public.

Information on personal data

When receiving an application for a permit for a public gathering or a public event, the Swedish Police Authority processes the personal data submitted in e-services, forms and online forms at polisen.se in accordance with the provisions of the EU Genereal Data Protection Regulation and other applicable data protection regulations. The personal data you provide in an application is processed as part of our exercise of authority and to carry out the tasks stipulated in the Public Order Act (1993:1617) and in local provisions. The purpose of the processing is to manage your application. The data is saved for the time being.
Documents submitted to the Swedish Police Authority are generally regarded as public documents which are registered and saved pursuant to the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400) and archiving legislation. If someone requests access to a public document, the information may therefore be disclosed in accordance with the principle of public access to official documents.

Read more about your right relating to the processing of personal data at https://polisen.se/lagar-och-regler/behandling-av-personuppgifter/dina-rattigheter/.

Organising an event on a public road

If your event is to be held completely or partly on a public road, traffic might need to be stopped temporarily and road signs might need to be changed, among other things. In this case, you should submit your application at least four months prior to the scheduled event, so that necessary measures on and near the road can be taken in time.

Depending on the security measures needed, you may require a decision issued by The County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen), in addition to the permit from the Police. 

The County Administrative Board takes decisions on local traffic regulations, such as regulations on speed limits and road closures, among other things. 

The Swedish Transport Administration is responsible for putting up and taking down temporary road signs on public state roads in connection with events, among other things. These measures may only be taken by the Swedish Transport Administration’s constructors, and the cost will be invoiced by the Swedish Transport Administration.

Organising an event on a public state road, the Swedish Transport Administration (in Swedish).

Please note that event officials are never permitted to direct traffic. 

Security guards at events

A permit is needed to use security guards at events (a public gathering or a public event). If the Police has already imposed a condition requiring the use of security guards for the event in its permit or proof of registration, you do not need to apply for a permit to use security guards.

If you want to use security guards even though it has not been imposed by the conditions set out in your permit or proof of registration, you need to apply for a permit in accordance with the Swedish Act on Security Guards. The same applies to using security guards in ways that differ from what is set out in the conditions, for example, during other work hours than those stated in the conditions.

For additional information, please see Apply for a permit to use security guards (In Swedish).

Using pyrotechnic articles at an event or gathering

If you want to use pyrotechnic articles at the event, such as stage effects, you can apply for a permit to do so at the same time as applying for a permit to organise a public gathering or public event. This is done in the e-service mentioned above. 

For additional information, please see Permits and rules for using pyrotechnic articles (in Swedish).

Make a security plan

You, as the organiser of a public gathering or a public event, are responsible for the security during the event, and it is therefore important to make a plan for how to maintain security. The Police may impose special conditions that you are required to abide by. The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has published a guide called “Event Safety Guide”, which provides guidance for how to organise a safe event.

Event Safety Guide, The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, MCF

If you plan to serve alcohol, you need to apply for an alcohol permit from the municipality.

Apply for permits well in advance

In some cases, applications for permits to organise public gatherings and public events need to be circulated to the municipality or other relevant government agencies for comments. It is therefore important to submit your application well in advance. If your application is filled in correctly, the processing time is shorter.

If your application is submitted too late, you run the risk of us not being able to process your application in time, which results in you not getting the permit needed. In spring and summer time, a lot of people submit applications at the same time, and it takes slightly longer to receive a decision.

Forms

If you cannot use the online service, you can fill in a form. Please send the form by e-mail or regular mail to the police in the region where the permit will apply.

Submit

Concert and music event

Application regarding permit for a concert/music event (for computer) (pdf, 3 MB)
Application regarding permit for a concert/music event (make a print) (pdf, 147 kB)

Sporting event

Notification of a sporting event (for computer) (pdf, 1 MB)
Notification of a sporting event (make a print) (pdf, 184 kB)

Other public event or gathering

Regarding permit in accordance with the Public Order Act and local regulations (for computer) (pdf, 2 MB)
Regarding permit in accordance with the Public Order Act and local regulations (make a print) (pdf, 165 kB)

Submit

Fees

If a permit is required for the event or gathering, you have to pay a fee. You will receive a payment notice from us when we have received and registered your application. Please bear in mind that the application will only be processed once the fee has been paid.

• The application fee for a public gathering is SEK 360.
• The application fee for a public event is SEK 990.

If your application also pertains to the installation of equipment in a public place or the use of pyrotechnic articles, additional application fees apply.

The fee will not be refunded if the application is rejected.

Permit fees (In Swedish)