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Laws and rights

Constitutions, legal systems and civil liberties

Prepare for the Swedish citizenship civic test with practice questions and explanations about Laws and rights.

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Practice questions and answers

1. How many constitutions does Sweden have?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
  4. 5
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4

Sweden has four constitutions: the Form of Government, the Freedom of the Press Ordinance, the Freedom of Expression Basic Law and the Order of Succession.

2. In what year was the world's oldest law on freedom of the press, the Freedom of the Press Ordinance, adopted?

  1. 1688
  2. 1766
  3. 1809
  4. 1865
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1766

The Freedom of the Press Ordinance (TF) was adopted in 1766 during the period of freedom and is the world's oldest valid law on freedom of the press. It is one of Sweden's constitutions.

3. How do you change a constitution in Sweden?

  1. The Riksdag votes with a simple majority
  2. The king signs a new constitution
  3. The Riksdag must vote twice with an election in between
  4. The people vote directly in a referendum
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The Riksdag must vote twice with an election in between

To amend a constitution, the Riksdag needs to vote for the amendment on two occasions with a general election in between. It protects the constitutions from hasty political decisions.

4. Which constitution regulates who inherits the Swedish throne?

  1. The form of government
  2. The Freedom of the Press Ordinance
  3. The Freedom of Expression Act
  4. The order of succession
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The order of succession

The succession order (1810) regulates who has the right to inherit the Swedish throne. Since 1980, cognatic succession to the throne applies - eldest child inherits regardless of gender.

5. What does Allemansrätten mean?

  1. The right to own land in Sweden
  2. The right to stay in nature regardless of who owns the land – based on "do not disturb, do not destroy"
  3. The right to hunt animals in forest and land
  4. The right to build wherever you want in nature
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The right to stay in nature regardless of who owns the land – based on "do not disturb, do not destroy"

Allemansrätten gives everyone the right to stay in nature, regardless of who owns the land. You can walk, camp, pick berries and mushrooms. The principle is "do not disturb - do not destroy".

6. What are the three levels of the general court system (criminal and civil)?

  1. The police court, the court of appeal and the impeachment court
  2. The District Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
  3. The administrative court, the court of appeals and HD
  4. The bailiff, the district court and the court of appeal
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The District Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court

The three levels of general courts are: the District Court (first instance), the Court of Appeal (appellate instance) and the Supreme Court (HD, precedent instance).

7. What are the three levels of administrative courts (disputes with authorities)?

  1. The District Court, the Court of Appeal and HD
  2. The Administrative Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Administrative Court
  3. The Labor Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
  4. The tax court, the administrative court and the impeachment court
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The Administrative Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Administrative Court

The administrative courts have three levels: the Administrative Court (first instance), the Court of Appeal (second instance) and the Supreme Administrative Court (HFD, last instance).

8. What is the general age of criminal responsibility in Sweden?

  1. 12 years
  2. 13 years
  3. 15 years
  4. 18 years
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15 years

The general age is 15. Since 10 September 2026, a temporary exception also allows 14-year-olds to be sentenced for certain serious crimes.

9. How long can the prosecutor keep an arrested person locked up without a court order for detention?

  1. 24 hours
  2. 48 hours
  3. 72 hours
  4. 96 hours
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72 hours

The prosecutor can detain an arrested person for up to 72 hours (3 days). After that, the court must decide on detention in order to continue the deprivation of liberty.

10. What is the freedom to form associations called in Sweden?

  1. Freedom of assembly
  2. Freedom of association
  3. Freedom of speech
  4. Freedom of information
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Freedom of association

Freedom of association is the right to form and participate in associations, organizations and parties. It is one of the fundamental freedoms in the Government.

11. Is the prosecutor independent from the police in Sweden?

  1. No, the chief of police decides on charges
  2. Yes, the public prosecutor makes independent decisions about charges and can close an investigation
  3. No, they are under the same ministry
  4. The prosecutor is part of the police
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Yes, the public prosecutor makes independent decisions about charges and can close an investigation

The public prosecutor's office is independent from the police. The prosecutor makes an independent decision on whether charges should be brought based on the evidence collected by the police.

12. What is the maximum sentence for the most serious crimes in Sweden?

  1. 10 years
  2. 15 years
  3. 25 years
  4. Life imprisonment
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Life imprisonment

The most serious punishment in Sweden is life imprisonment, which can be imposed for, among other things, murder. The normal maximum penalty for the offense is 10 years.

13. Does everyone who is accused of a crime have the right to a lawyer in Sweden?

  1. Only if you can afford to pay
  2. Yes, a public defender is paid for by the state if you can't afford it
  3. Only for the most serious crimes
  4. No, you have to arrange a lawyer yourself
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Yes, a public defender is paid for by the state if you can't afford it

Anyone charged with a crime has the right to a public defender (lawyer) if they can't afford to pay. The state pays the cost – it is part of legal certainty.

14. Which constitution protects freedom of expression on radio, TV and on the internet?

  1. The form of government
  2. The Freedom of the Press Ordinance
  3. The Freedom of Expression Act
  4. The order of succession
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The Freedom of Expression Act

The Freedom of Expression Basic Law (YGL) protects freedom of expression in radio, TV, film and on the internet. The Freedom of the Press Ordinance protects the printed word.

15. What does the presumption of innocence mean?

  1. That criminals are never innocent
  2. That a person is considered innocent until proven otherwise in court
  3. That the police are always right
  4. That witnesses should always be believed
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That a person is considered innocent until proven otherwise in court

The presumption of innocence is a fundamental legal principle: a person must be considered innocent until proven guilty by a court. It is the prosecutor's job to prove a crime, not the accused's job to prove his innocence.

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