Using public spaces for events
If you want to hold an event in a public space in Stockholm, you may need to apply for a police permit.
Stockholm is an eventful city and we welcome events that enhance the city's attractiveness. Events of various kinds take place continuously – from small-scale product launches and promotional events to large-scale happenings that involve the entire city such as Stockholm Pride and the Stockholm Marathon.
Besides the police permit there are also other regulations and permits you need to be aware of if you want to hold an event in a public space in Stockholm.
Other regulations and permits for events
Choosing an event venue
The first step when planning an event is to find a suitable venue. You may apply for any venue you wish for your event. Your application will be reviewed by the City of Stockholm's administrators, who will assess the suitability of the venue for your event.
Every venue is unique and has its own circumstances. What works at one venue might not work at another. For example, events that involve loud music should not be planned at venues where lots of people live.
In order to facilitate event planning for organisers, the City of Stockholm has developed a number of venues and analysed them from various perspectives. This usually shortens the time it takes for the City to process an application. Applying for one of these venues also increases the likelihood that you will receive a police permit for your event compared to other public spaces.
Map of event venues
All event venues are marked on the overview map, which also provides some information about each venue. Bear in mind that the vicinity maps do not feature all the objects at every venue such as benches or street lights. Always check the suitability of the venue for yourself before applying for a permit.
Need help choosing a venue?
If you need help choosing a venue, please contact Visit Stockholm’s services for event organizers.
Services for event organizers, Visit Stockholm's website
Police permits and street closure permits for events
A police permit may be required if you wish to hold an event in a public space. Public spaces include roads, streets, pavements, squares, parks and other locations used by large numbers of people. Public spaces are often owned by the City, but some private land is also considered to be public space.
Complete the application form on the police website. The form should be submitted to the police together with a sketch of how you intend to furnish your event. Your sketch does not need to be to scale, but you must indicate clearly where you intend to place objects as well as their dimensions.
Apply for a police permit to use public space, the Swedish Police website
The police process your application
The police will determine whether your desired venue is available at the desired time. If it is not, the police will contact you in order to choose an alternative venue or a new date for the event.
If you are planning to set up objects on City land, the police will refer your case to the Stockholm City Traffic Administration, who, among other things, will assess the impact of your event on accessibility and urban mobility.
If your application concerns private land, it is your responsibility to check with the landowner whether you are allowed to use the venue during the period in question.
The police issue the permit
If the police and the City approve your application, the police will issue you with a permit for usage of public space. The permit must have been issued before you start using the venue. It should include everything you intend to set up or place at the venue and the duration that the venue will be in use.
Permit to close and clear streets
For some events, for example a festival or a street party, you may need to close a public street temporarily. If this is the case, you will need a Traffic Control Device Plan (TA-plan). Please state in the police application form that you will be submitting a separate application for a TA-plan.
In conjunction with closing a street, it may be necessary to clear the street of cars. If this is the case, you will need to apply for a change in Local Traffic Regulations (LTF).
What affects your chances of receiving a permit?
Every application is unique. Just because one event has been issued with a permit does not necessarily mean that another event will.
Factors that can affect the decision are
- the type of event
- the choice of venue
- the season
- the number of days that the event will last
- the number of local closures required
- if the venue has recently hosted a large event.
A comparison is made between the potential disruption that the event might cause and its benefits to the city and its inhabitants.
Terms and Conditions for Usage of Public Space for events
If the police and the City of Stockholm approve your application, the police will issue you with a police permit. This permit will be accompanied by an appendix that specifies the terms and conditions for usage of public space for events.
Read the terms and conditions carefully. They include provisions for event design, safety, clean-up, transportation, restoration etc.
The terms and conditions also include information on who to contact if you need access to electricity or water.
Fees to use public spaces for events
The police charge an administrative fee of 870 SEK per application, regardless of whether the application is approved or denied.
If your permit is approved, the City of Stockholm will charge you a fee to use the venue. This fee is based on the zone in which the venue is located, the size of the venue and the type of event. This fee is charged on the basis of the Fees Act (1957: 259) and according to the rates determined by the City Council.
The size of the fee is dependent on the zone in which the venue is located. You can check which zone a venue belongs to in the zoning map for fees.
Zoning map for usage of public space (in Swedish)
Different categories for event fees
Event fees are divided into three different categories: non-promotional events, promotional events and subsidised events.
- Non-promotional events. Fees for events which are non-promotional in nature but which include marketing by sponsors as well as elements of marketing by various actors:
- Zone A – 112 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 18,410 SEK per day
- Zone B – 61 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 18,410 SEK per day
- Zone C – 61 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 9,205 SEK per day
- Zone D – 31 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 700 SEK per day
- Promotional events
- Zone A – 224 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 36,821 SEK per day + VAT
- Zone B – 122 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 36,821 SEK per day + VAT
- Zone C – 122 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 18,410 SEK per day + VAT
- Zone D – 61 SEK per square metre and day, up to a maximum of 18,410 SEK per day + VAT
- Subsidised event. A subsidised fee of 0 SEK for Zones A–D applies to:
- Non-commercial events for children and young people
- Aid organisations with 90 accounts
- Gatherings in accordance with the Public Order Act, Chapter 2, Section p1 such as expressions of opinion or demonstrations
- City administrations
- Park theatres and events in amphitheatres with no entrance fee.