Find an activity or association

Last updated: 23/4-2025

Joining a club or association or participating in other leisure activities in your municipality is a great way to get to know new people and practice your Swedish. You can learn more about how to find activities here.

Clubs and associations arrange many activities

Many people all over Sweden participate in activities with a club or association. A club/association is an organisation that arranges activities and meeting places for people. They are usually non-profit organisations. You can participate in many different activities with other people in a club or association, such as:

  • playing football or some other sport, or dancing;
  • playing an instrument or learning a new hobby; or
  • working for human rights or some other important cause.

It is the members who decide in a club or association. It is also the members who perform the work of the association.

Contact your municipality or search online to find a local club or association. Some clubs and associations run activities specifically for people who are new to Sweden.

Find a language buddy

Many municipalities can help new arrivals to Sweden to get in touch with people who are already established in Sweden, so that you can practice speaking Swedish and learn more about Sweden. These people are often called language buddies (språkvän) or refugee guides (flyktingguide). Contact your municipality if you would like to meet a language buddy or refugee guide.

Libraries arrange activities for everyone

Many libraries arrange activities that you can take part in, such as language cafés where you can meet other people to practice speaking Swedish. Many libraries also arrange help with homework, parents’ meetings and lectures. Contact the library in your municipality to find out about the activities they arrange.

In libraries, you can also borrow books, read newspapers and magazines, listen to music and use a computer. There are books and magazines in many different languages. There is no charge for borrowing books, magazines, CDs and games but you will need a library card. You can obtain a library card at your local library.

Right of access allows you to explore the countryside

In Sweden, the public has right of access to private land, meaning that everyone can roam and explore the countryside, regardless of who owns the land. In Swedish, this is called “allemansrätt”.

For example, you can:

  • walk and cycle in the forest;
  • pick berries, mushrooms and flowers;
  • camp; and
  • swim and bathe in lakes.
This right also comes with responsibilities. For example, you are not allowed to damage nature or drop litter.

You may need a permit to fish

Fishing is not covered by the right of public access. You will need a permit to fish in most lakes.

You are allowed to fish with a rod along the coast and in Sweden’s five largest lakes: Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Storsjön. There are rules about the minimum size of fish that you are allowed to keep. If a fish is smaller than the minimum permitted size, you must release it back into the water.

You can borrow equipment for leisure activities from Fritidsbanken

If you want to try a sport or leisure activity, you can borrow equipment from Fritidsbanken. For example, you can borrow skis, ice skates, life jackets, tents, football boots, helmets and much more,

Anyone can borrow equipment from Fritidsbanken free of charge. The loan period is 14 days. Then you must return the equipment.

Clubs and Associations FAQs

Yes, you will usually need to pay members’ fees. Fees vary depending on the activity and club or association. When you pay the fee, you can take part in the club’s or association’s activities. You can also have your say about how the club or association is run.

Most clubs and associations are non-profit. This means that, for example, coaches and other people working for the club or association do not get paid. Nobody owns or makes a profit from the club or association. They are not businesses where people are paid to work.

Non-profit clubs and associations are democratic institutions. This means that it is the members who decide in a club or association. It is also the members who perform the work.

Yes, everyone has the right to start or join a club or association.

Find an activity or association