⚖️Laws, rights and obligations

What rights you have in Sweden, what obligations come with them, and how the legal system works.

The most important things to know

• Everyone is equal before the law. Discrimination is prohibited under the Discrimination Act.
• Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of association are protected by the constitution.
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has been Swedish law since 2020.
• Corporal punishment of children has been banned in Sweden since 1979.
• The courts are independent. Politicians may not decide how a court should rule in an individual case.
• Everyone who lives and works in Sweden must pay tax.
• Compulsory schooling normally applies to children from preschool class up to and including grade 9.

Key terms

Freedom of expression

The right to express one's opinions, with certain limits set by law.

Discrimination

Someone being treated worse because of, for example, gender, origin or religion.

Principle of public access (offentlighetsprincipen)

The right to access public documents held by authorities.

Court

The body that resolves disputes and rules in criminal cases.

Obligation

Something you must do by law, for example paying tax.