This guide is informational. Always verify how the rules apply to your specific case.
Last reviewed October 5, 2026.
Short answer: Yes, you are generally allowed to film the police in Sweden when you are present. This applies during traffic stops, ID checks, interventions on the street, and arrests, as long as you do not obstruct police work or create immediate danger.
The question "can you film the police" becomes practical when you are stopped, when someone is arrested in front of you, or when you want to document how the police act. The goal of this guide is not to provoke. The goal is for you to be able to film legally, calmly, and usefully. See also important when you have been subjected to the police and record meetings with authorities.
Yes, you can film the police during checks
Yes. When you are involved in the situation, for example, when you are stopped in a car or checked as a pedestrian, you are normally allowed to film. The same main rule as for recording conversations applies: personal documentation when you participate is normally allowed.
The police may ask you to move if you are in the way, but they cannot generally prohibit filming just because they do not want to be filmed. If you film from a distance, keep the phone visible, and do not shout over their instructions, the risk of conflict is reduced.
What the law says
There is no general prohibition in Swedish law against filming in public places. The police have no inherent right to avoid being filmed while on duty. The limitations are few and specific:
- Offensive photography (Chapter 4, Section 6 a of the Penal Code) applies to unauthorized filming in secret in homes, bathrooms, changing rooms, or similar. Open filming of a police intervention on the street is not covered.
- Protected objects such as certain police stations, detention centers, and military facilities may have photography bans according to the Protection Act. It must then be signposted.
- Police orders: according to Section 13 of the Police Act, the police may dismiss or remove anyone who disturbs the order or poses an immediate danger. If you do not comply with an order to move, it may be a case of disobedience to law enforcement (Chapter 16, Section 3 of the Penal Code). Filming is not in itself a disturbance.
- Seizure of the phone requires that it can reasonably be assumed to be of importance for a criminal investigation (Chapter 27, Section 1 of the Code of Judicial Procedure). The fact that you filmed the police is not such a reason. The police can never demand that you delete the film; a film showing an intervention can, on the contrary, be evidence.
Yes, you are allowed to film the police when you are stopped
Yes, if you are the one being stopped or clearly participating in the situation. Start recording early, keep the phone steady, and note the time, place, and who says what. If the police ask you to put away the phone to show your driver's license or handle something practical, you can pause. You do not need to delete what you have already recorded.
Yes, you are allowed to film an arrest
Yes, when you are present and filming from a distance that does not obstruct the intervention. You must not position yourself in a way that prevents the police from acting safely, and you must not physically intervene. The Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO) has emphasized in several cases that the public has an interest in being able to document police actions, while the police must be able to perform their duties.
See JO dnr 6506-2017 as an example of how the issue of filming police interventions has been examined.
Can the police force you to stop filming?
The police can ask you to step back, move, or stop disturbing the investigation on site. As a general rule, they cannot seize the phone or demand deletion solely because you are filming legally. If they claim that you are obstructing emergency services, creating danger, or violating public order rules, the situation may be different. The reason must be specific, not just "no one is allowed to film."
When the police are present during social services intervention
Many who search for this question are in the midst of another case: the police have come together with social services to take a child, execute an immediate custody or assist in a retrieval in a custody dispute. The police then act at the request of the social welfare board or the court (assistance). You are allowed to film there as well, with the same limits as otherwise.
- Film from a distance and do not physically intervene. Resistance during an execution always worsens your position in the ongoing case.
- Calmly and clearly state the date, time, and which decisions the police are referring to. Ask to see the decision and who made it.
- Do not film your child in distress to "show" something later. The film is intended to document the authorities' actions, not the child's reaction.
- Send a written summary to social services the same day and request a copy of the decision and the police's request for assistance.
If it is a report of concern that led to the intervention, start there to understand the steps. If the police have taken a child from school, also read the report of concern from the school about what the school is obliged to do and what you can request.
Evidentiary value: can the film be used?
A video recording can often be cited as evidence or support in a dispute, with the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO), with the Police Authority's special investigations, or in court. The strength depends on the original being unaltered, that time and place can be shown, and that the image actually shows what you claim. Do not edit the original file and do not publish it in distress.
Read more in our guides on recording meetings, documentation of police actions and camera and privacy.
Common Mistakes
- You are filming from the wrong distance and obstructs the police's workspace.
- You publish directly instead of saving as working material.
- You delete the original The Swedish government has proposed a new law, commonly referred to as the "angiverilag," which aims to increase the reporting of certain activities to authorities. This proposal has sparked significant debate among legal experts and human rights organizations. The law would require individuals and organizations to report specific information to the government, raising concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse. Critics argue that the law could lead to increased surveillance and a chilling effect on free speech. Proponents, however, believe it is necessary for national security and public safety. The proposal is currently under review, and its implications are being closely examined by various stakeholders.
- You are filming identifiable innocent individuals unnecessarily. Mask faces if you share excerpts.
- You believe that the film automatically wins the dispute. It must be put into context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Filming the Police
Is it permissible to film the police in Sweden?
Yes, normally when you are present yourself and do not obstruct the work. This applies during stops, checks, and arrests.
Is it illegal to film the police in Sweden?
No, normally not when you are present yourself and do not obstruct the work.
Do you have the right to film the police?
As a general rule, yes, when you participate in or witness the situation from a safe distance. The police may ask you to move if you are in the way, but they cannot generally prohibit legal filming.
Is it permissible to photograph police cars and police stations?
From public places, it is often permitted, but avoid photographing protected or sensitive details unnecessarily.
Is it permissible to publish the film online?
Legally, it may sometimes be possible, but it can create privacy issues and escalate the conflict. Use the film first as documentation.
May the police confiscate the phone?
Not solely because you have filmed legally. Seizure requires that the phone can reasonably be assumed to be of significance for a criminal investigation (Chapter 27, Section 1 of the Code of Judicial Procedure). The police are also not allowed to demand that you delete the film.
What should I do if the police say it is prohibited?
Calmly ask which legal basis they are referring to. Continue filming from a distance if it is safe and save the footage. You can later report with documented evidence or file a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO).
May I film when the police and social services take my child?
Yes, from a distance and without physical interference. Request to see the decision being enforced and document the time, place, and participants. Send a written summary to social services the same day.
