General elections

General elections are held in Sweden every four years and are the ultimate proof that we live in a democracy. Elections are held at national, regional and local levels to the Riksdag, county councils and municipal councils respectively.

In the elections, voters choose their representatives in the decision-making assemblies for the next term of office.

All Swedish citizens who have reached the age of 18 on or before election day and who are currently or were previously resident in the country may vote in general elections and referendums. Citizens of EU member states, Norway and Iceland who are registered as resident in Sweden and who have reached the age of 18 on or before election day are eligible to vote in municipal and county council elections. Non-Swedish citizens from other countries must have been registered as resident in Sweden for more than three consecutive years before election day to be eligible to vote in municipal and county council elections.

Elections to the European Parliament

Every fifth year elections are held in Sweden, as in other EU member states, to the European Parliament, the only directly elected EU institution. In this country, all citizens of EU member states who are registered as resident in Sweden may vote in these elections. For more information on the EU and parliamentary elections, please see links.