Bags at major events – Questions and Answers

No, not necesssarily, it depends on the event. The organizer is responsible for ensuring that bags are handled safely at the event. The organizer is therefore also responsible for informing visitors about the applicable rules and whether or not bags are allowed to be brought into the event.

To avoid any uncertainty, it is recommended to check the organiser's website or ask the organiser when buying tickets 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.

In certain cases, the Police Authority may determine that a condition imposing a bag ban is necessary for the event and inform the organiser of this decision.

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.

The terrorist threat level in Sweden was raised in August 2023 from level three to level four on a five-point scale. In order to help ensure public order and safety at events, the police introduced a national policy including conditions relating to bags at major events.

In May 2025, the terrorist threat level was lowered to level three on the five-point scale. Because of the reduced threat level, the police assess that bags may be permitted at major events.

As the organiser, you are responsible for maintaining order and safety at your event. This responsibility includes ensuring that bags are handled in a safe manner. You must have a plan in place for how bags will be managed at the event (for example, through bag checks).

When applying for a permit or submitting a notification for an event, you must describe the security measures you intend to implement in order to allow attendees to bring bags. If you do not wish to, or are unable to, implement such measures, the police may, pursuant to the Public Order Act, continue to impose conditions prohibiting bags from being brought to the event.

According to the Public Order Act, the Swedish Police Authority may impose requirements concerning safety and order during an event (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 Defence and Resilience Agency (MSB) Event Safety Guide provides guidance on how to organize safe events.

Event Safety Guide, The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MSB)