Country Profile: Sweden

This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige)based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Sweden's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.

Country Background

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak. It is bounded by Finland and Norway. The capital of Sweden is Stockholm. The official language is Swedish. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 9.9 million. Sweden is officially a Christian country, with about 63% of the population belonging to the Church of Sweden (Lutheran). Islam is a minority religion in Sweden, and Muslims make up about 3-5% of the country's population. 

Constitution & Legal Structure

Sweden is referred to as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The Swedish legal system has its roots in the continental legal tradition with its dependence on statutory law, and it is a civil law system based on West European legal systems. There are three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Sweden is a member state of the European Union, but declined eurozone and NATO membership.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Sweden.

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Sweden.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Sweden has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

 Unofficial Databases

  • FAOLEX: Sweden (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
  • NATLEX: Sweden (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
  • RefWorld Legal Information: Sweden (UNHCR)
  • WIPO Lex: Sweden (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].