Summary for Swedish travellers
You don't need a visa to visit New Zealand as a Swedish citizen. You do need an NZeTA, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which every visa-waiver traveller must hold since 1 October 2019. You apply online, it is linked to your passport, and your airline checks it before you board.
An approved NZeTA is valid for up to two years. During that time you can make several trips, each lasting up to 90 days. It covers holidays, visits to friends and family, business meetings and short courses. It does not allow you to work.
We are an online service that helps you prepare and submit your NZeTA application. The New Zealand immigration authorities decide whether to approve it. Apply for your NZeTA from Sweden in about ten minutes.
Swapping a Swedish winter for a Kiwi summer
For many Swedes, the main attraction is timing. New Zealand's summer runs from December to February, exactly when Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö have the shortest days. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are quieter and good for walking and wine regions.
December–February
Long, light evenings, beaches, Great Walks and lakes. Busy and worth booking early.
March–May
Settled weather, autumn colours in Central Otago and fewer crowds.
June–October
Ski season in Queenstown, Wanaka and on Mt Ruapehu, roughly when Sweden enjoys its summer.
There are no direct flights from Sweden. From Stockholm Arlanda, Göteborg Landvetter or Copenhagen Kastrup, routes usually connect through Doha, Dubai, Singapore or another Asian hub, with a total journey of about 25 to 30 hours. Your NZeTA is checked at the first check-in desk, so apply before you leave Sweden.
Swedish passport and name tips
Your NZeTA must be linked to a valid Swedish passport. The nationellt id-kort and your driving licence are not accepted for travel to New Zealand.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand
- Same passport used for the NZeTA, the booking and the journey
- Names copied from the machine-readable lines, which replace å, ä and ö with plain letters
- All given names included, in the same order as in the passport
If you lose your passport or get a new one before you travel, the old NZeTA cannot be moved across. Submit a new application with the new passport.
Dual nationals: if you hold Swedish and another citizenship, you can use either passport if both are visa-waiver passports. Just keep it consistent from application to arrival.
Four steps to an approved NZeTA
Contact details
Email, trip purpose and processing speed.
Passport data
Add each traveller, up to 10 in one application. Children need their own NZeTA.
Declarations
Health, criminal record and immigration history questions.
Photo and payment
Upload a face photo and pay by card. The IVL levy is included.
Choose Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours). Prices are on the fees page. Allow up to 72 hours if you can.
Camping in New Zealand is not allemansrätten
Swedes are used to the right of public access, which lets you camp almost anywhere for a night. New Zealand works differently. Freedom camping is only allowed in certain places, and many councils require a certified self-contained vehicle. Fines for camping in the wrong place are common.
- Don't assume you can camp on any beach or roadside
- Don't light fires without checking local fire restrictions
- Don't leave rubbish or toilet waste behind
Department of Conservation campsites, holiday parks and huts on the Great Walks are good alternatives. Book huts early in summer.
Working holidays and longer stays
The NZeTA is for visitors only. If you plan to take a job, even casual work in a café or on an orchard, you need a visa that allows work. Swedish citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for a working holiday visa. That is a separate application, not part of the NZeTA process.
You also need a visa to stay more than 90 days at a time, to study for more than 3 months or to come for medical treatment. If you are a remote worker or business traveller, read our business visitor guide first.
Your arrival checklist
A border officer decides whether you can enter. Before you land, have these ready:
| Passport | The Swedish passport linked to your NZeTA |
|---|---|
| Onward travel | A return or onward ticket |
| Accommodation | Where you will stay, at least for the first nights |
| Funds | A bank card or statement showing you can pay for your stay |
| Declaration | The New Zealand Traveller Declaration, completed before arrival |
Clean your outdoor and fishing gear. Boots, tents and especially fishing equipment must be clean and dry to stop freshwater pests. Declare food such as cured sausage, cheese, lingonberry jam and fresh fruit.
Start your New Zealand eTA application
Sweden NZeTA FAQs
No. Sweden is a visa-waiver country, so Swedish passport holders can visit for up to 90 days per trip. You need an approved NZeTA before you fly.
No. The nationellt id-kort works within Europe, but New Zealand requires a passport. Apply for your NZeTA with your Swedish passport.
Copy the spelling used in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport photo page, which use only plain Latin letters. That is the version the airline reads.
Not in the same way. Freedom camping in New Zealand is restricted to specific areas, and many sites only allow certified self-contained vehicles. Check local rules before you park for the night.
Swedish citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for a working holiday visa. It is a separate application, and you can't work on an NZeTA.
Yes. It is valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, and covers multiple visits of up to 90 days each.