Sweden — Legal Help

Sweden pioneered the "Nordic Model" via the 1999 Sex Purchase Act (Sexköpslagen, now Chapter 6 §11 Brottsbalken): buying sexual services is criminal, punishable by fines or up to one year prison, while selling is not. Procuring (koppleri) and hotels knowingly hosting sex work are separately criminalised. Sting operations in Stockholm and Malmö are routine. Age of consent is 15 (Chapter 6 §4). Sweden operates zero-tolerance drug enforcement under the 1968 Narkotikastrafflagen — personal possession carries fines or up to six months.

If detained, you have the right to a public defender (offentlig försvarare) and one consular call. Embassies can supply lawyer lists and notify family, but cannot secure release or intervene in the case.