During the warm months of the year, it is not unusual for the vast majority of people to go out to catch hours of sunshine and enjoy the warmth. It is also not uncommon to occasionally see people in parks, on beaches or in other public places consuming alcohol.
But what does the law actually say about it? Is it allowed to drink alcohol in a public place, or is it simply prohibited?
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Photo: Johan Nilsson/TTDrinking in a public place? That’s what the law says
But what does the law say about consuming alcohol in a public place?
In the 1980s, the Riksdag wrote a report about it, which is still valid today. It is not in itself prohibited, but it can lead to you being punished for other violations of the law.
“Consumption of alcohol in a public place is not in itself punishable under the Criminal Code or other law. If the consumption takes place in such a way that it is likely to cause outrage among the public, the act can however be punished as outrage-causing behavior according to ch. 16 Section 16 of the Criminal Code”, wrote the Riksdag in its report which is on their homepage.
But even though it is not illegal according to the law, it may still be prohibited.
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Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TTDrinking in a public place is then prohibited
What applies in Sweden is that it is not prohibited by any law. However, there is one important detail that may make it prohibited where you are or live.
It is the case that in Sweden the municipalities have their own local regulations for what applies to the consumption of alcohol. These regulations may limit the possibilities of drinking alcohol in a public place. This is regulated according to Chapter 3 §§ 8 and 22 of the Ordinance Act.
Municipalities that prohibit the consumption of alcohol in certain public places in Sweden are, for example, Karlstad, Täby and Malmö. In addition, there are scores of other municipalities that also have bans on consuming alcohol in public places. However, the bans do not apply to the entire municipalities, but to specifically specified areas during certain times.
According to the police, if you are thinking about where alcohol can be consumed in a public place, you should contact your municipality to find out which places and which specific times it is allowed. Should you drink in a place where it is prohibited for a certain time, it is simply a crime.
“At a public event in a public place, you may drink alcohol if it is served with a permit. The police can give you a fine and pour out the alcohol if you don’t follow the rules,” the police write further on their homepage.
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Even if it is not illegal to drink alcohol in a public place, it may still be prohibited in your municipality. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
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