The Swedish Coast Guard's border surveillance work takes place both in Sweden and in other EU countries. It is part of Sweden's commitment to managing the EU's external borders under the Schengen rules and under the EU regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard (the EBCG Regulation).

The Coast Guard's capability is in the maritime environment. Border surveillance therefore usually takes place at the sea border, where other authorities do not have the resources. The Coast Guard's tasks are to:

  • take part in the Swedish Police Authority's control activities under the Aliens Act by carrying out control of maritime traffic
  • monitor maritime traffic for border crossings and right of residence, also known as internal immigration control
  • prevent unauthorised border crossings, arrest and take action against people who have crossed the border illegally and who have no right of residence, and hand these people and cases over to the Swedish Police Authority
  • assist in the Swedish Police Authority's activities.

National contact point for shipping

In connection with border surveillance and other maritime surveillance, the Coast Guard is also responsible for receiving notifications from shipping about vessels that intend to call at Swedish ports. These notifications are handled by Swedish Maritime Clearance (SMC), which is the national contact point for shipping in this respect. SMC checks the notifications, among other things, with the help of the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The Coast Guard may also take part in controls of border crossings by leisure vessels, make certain decisions on the port of arrival or on continued travel, and carry out internal immigration control of maritime traffic and in connection with it.