Is Ketamine legal in Sweden?

Also known as: ket, special k

Legal status

Controlled. Ketamin is named in Förteckning IV of the Swedish narkotikaförteckningar, which are Läkemedelsverkets föreskrifter (LVFS 2011:10) om förteckningar över narkotika, made under 3 § förordningen (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika. The version read for this cell is the consolidated text, which states on its own first page that it contains amendments through HSLF-FS 2026:26. The row reads «Ketamin», and its international column reads no international listing. Förteckning IV sits inside the II to IV band, which is the tier for substances with a medical use. Deskloroketamin, Deskloro-N-etylnorketamin, 2-fluorodeskloroketamin and N-etylnorketamin are four separate analogue rows in Förteckning I and none of them is this one.

Consequences if caught

Capital exposure: none. Sweden has no death penalty for any offence, so no drug offence here carries capital exposure. The live cell recorded that any non medical or non scientific use, possession or supply is a criminal narcotics offence. Sweden enforces zero tolerance: consumption itself has been criminal since 1988 and possession of any amount is criminal, with no soft or hard distinction. Police may compel a blood or urine test on suspicion of use. An ordinary narkotikabrott carries up to three years. A ringa offence, which is the minor form, carries a fine or up to six months. A grov offence carries two to seven years and a synnerligen grov offence six to ten years. The fine at the minor level is the income based day fine, dagsböter, and the Supreme Court has held that a minor offence does not carry prison although it does leave a criminal record. Smuggling is charged separately under the Smuggling Act (2000:1225), which reaches ten years in its aggravated form. A 2023 government proposal would raise some penalties and criminalise attempt and conspiracy. That was recorded in the live cell as a proposal and it is carried forward as a proposal, not as law. The penalty figures above describe the offences that this row's placement brings into play.

If prescribed or medical

Available as a prescription anaesthetic, controlled as a narcotic medicine. The Förteckning IV placement read here is consistent with that, since Förteckning II to IV are the tiers for substances with a medical use.

Documentation

The live documentation block for this row was the blanket zero tolerance recital rather than a documentation rule for this substance. Its figures are carried forward here. Sweden enforces zero tolerance: consumption itself has been criminal since 1988 and possession of any amount is criminal, with no soft or hard distinction. Police may compel a blood or urine test on suspicion of use. An ordinary narkotikabrott carries up to three years. A ringa offence, which is the minor form, carries a fine or up to six months. A grov offence carries two to seven years and a synnerligen grov offence six to ten years. The fine at the minor level is the income based day fine, dagsböter, and the Supreme Court has held that a minor offence does not carry prison although it does leave a criminal record. Smuggling is charged separately under the Smuggling Act (2000:1225), which reaches ten years in its aggravated form. Medical cannabis use is limited to Sativex, which is nabiximols, for spasticity in multiple sclerosis, with no medical flower and no recreational use. A 2023 government proposal would raise some penalties and criminalise attempt and conspiracy. That was recorded in the live cell as a proposal and it is carried forward as a proposal, not as law. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel. The penalty figures above describe the offences that this row's placement brings into play.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Sweden’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.