Government: Beer gardens and wine bars already in June
This is a debate article. It is the writer who stands for the opinions expressed in the text, not Aftonbladet.
Published 2026-02-27 18.30
Now Sweden is becoming a little more free.
New types of meeting places with beer gardens, wine bars and outdoor seating that we are used to seeing in many of Europe’s cities will be made possible in Sweden this summer as well.
The government wishes you a nice weekend!
DEBATE. In 1865, the city of Gothenburg took over all pubs and brandy sales in the city and demanded the serving of hot food and coffee for serving alcohol. There begins the story of the food requirement. Over time, the law has changed, but the hassle has remained. Pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants have had to serve food and have a kitchen in order to serve alcohol. The government therefore chooses to put an end to an outdated regulation with a 160-year history.
Proposed to enter into force as early as June 1
The government has decided on a legal council referral that proposes to abolish the so-called food requirement for serving alcohol. The proposal is proposed to enter into force as early as June 1 this year.
The food requirement today means that businesses that want to serve alcohol must have their own kitchen, be able to offer food and maintain a certain standard. In addition, regulations on seating, requirements for table service and the area of the drink bars in relation to the premises have been part of the regulations – a completely unreasonable regulatory hassle for the restaurant and entertainment industry.
The government does not believe that indoor serving should be required to obtain an outdoor serving permit, or that legal regulations are needed for how a drinking bar relates to a food bar. The Legislative Council referral is based on proposals from the Simplification Council.
For a long time, the requirements have been both costly and strange. Maintaining a fully equipped kitchen, with trained staff and compliance with extensive environmental and hygiene regulations, has meant high costs for many companies – despite the fact that the customers did not ask for any food. The requirement has also varied depending on the type of business: for nightclubs, where dancing and music are at the center, it has led to the need to offer food that is rarely ordered. Quite simply a waste of food as well as time and money.
The proposal also clarifies an issue where different interpretations have occurred. By removing the requirement for an appropriate number of seats for food service, it is clarified that indoor seats are not required to obtain a service permit for an outdoor restaurant. This reduces the regulatory burden and lowers the thresholds for entrepreneurs who want to establish new serving environments. The proposal is estimated to save affected companies almost four billion kroner annually in reduced administration, personnel costs and food waste. At the same time, the negative effects on public health are judged to be limited. However, the government considers that one or more authorities should be tasked with following up and evaluating the reform.
Abandoned requirement for own kitchen
The government’s proposal also means an opportunity for increased diversity with businesses where food service is not a necessary part of the concept offered. By abolishing the requirement to have your own kitchen, space is created for activities that are common today in other European countries but have had difficulty establishing themselves in Sweden – for example wine bars, beer gardens, small-scale salons and premises where food is not a natural part of the concept.
We maintain a responsible alcohol policy through simplified rules, and create confidence in the public by eliminating unnecessary rules. Other requirements for serving alcohol remain, such as requirements for suitability as a permit holder and age limits for being served alcoholic beverages. The government also continues to uphold the high requirements for serving and selling alcohol.
An important part of this government’s reform agenda was to make it easier to be Swedish. Both as an entrepreneur and as a private person. Now we are making Sweden a little freer and a little more fun by abolishing the food requirement just in time for the start of summer.
Elizabeth Lann (KD), Minister of Health
Elisabeth Svantesson (M), Minister of Finance
Jakob Olofsgård (L), public health policy spokesperson.
