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New package for stronger civil defence

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry of Defence

Published 17 September 2025

Security in Sweden's neighbourhood has deteriorated dramatically in recent years. The Government is therefore carrying out the most sweeping modernisation of Sweden's total defence since the end of the Cold War. In the Budget Bill for 2026, the Tidö Parties propose a new package for stronger civil defence. Funding will go towards better stockpiling of health care products, renovating Sweden's protective shelters, building up new food contingency reserves and improving preparedness efforts of Sweden's municipalities and regions. The Government proposes allocating SEK 3 billion to civil defence in 2026, SEK 4.2 billion in 2027 and SEK 4.6 billion in 2028. These proposals total approximately SEK 12 billion in 2026-2028.

When the Government took office, Sweden's civil defence lacked adequate funding, governance and structure. Security in Sweden's neighbourhood had become significantly worse. In response, the Government chose to change the course of Sweden's total defence and carry out a major overhaul. This entails a sevenfold increase of the funding allocated to civil defence from approximately SEK 2.7 billion in 2022 to approximately SEK 19.4 billion in 2028.

Much remains to be done. Sweden's resilience and capacity to deter must be strengthened, which requires a rapid build-up of civil defence capability. The Government therefore proposes a new package in the budget, which totals approximately SEK 12 billion for civil defence for 2026-2028. The investments amount to an estimated SEK 3 billion for 2026, SEK 4.2 billion for 2027 and SEK 4.6 billion for 2028. In addition, funding that was parked in the Budget Bill for 2025 was allocated to future civil defence priorities. This funding amounts to approximately SEK 700 million for 2026, approximately SEK 1.8 billion for 2027 and approximately SEK 2.1 billion for 2028. These proposals are based on an agreement between the Government and the Sweden Democrats.

Supply preparedness

Investments of SEK 1 billion per year will go towards decentralised supply preparedness for the years 2026-2028. These investments enable purchasing of civil defence materiel, some of which will go to the municipalities and regions. Decisions on investments will be made based on total defence needs.

Health, medical care and welfare

A functioning health and medical care system during a heightened state of alert and ultimately war is an essential part of Sweden's total defence. The Government is therefore investing a total of SEK 4.9 billion for 2026-2028. This is in addition to the approximately SEK 6.6 billion already invested in enhancing the health, medical care and welfare civil preparedness sector. The new funding will go towards investments such as national implementation of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), which enables cooperation on blood supply with Allies and individual risk-based assessment of blood donors. Investments will also go towards strengthening the health and medical care's access, operational reliability and capacity to care for large numbers of injured people; municipalities' and communities' stockpiles of medical care products; and increasing preparedness for cross-border health threats.

Food security

To ensure that the entire population has access to the food it needs in the event of serious disruption - e.g. a peacetime crisis, a heightened state of alert or ultimately war - the robustness of the food supply chain must be improved. The Government has identified a need for investments in measures such as building up preparedness stockpiles. This primarily concerns grain and critical input goods for primary production, but also for later stages in the food supply chain. The Government is therefore investing a total of SEK 2.1 billion in the food supply and drinking water sector for the years 2026-2028 in the Budget Bill for 2026. 

Municipalities and regions

Sweden's municipalities and regions are a cornerstone of Sweden's civil defence and have a major responsibility to ensure preparedness at local level. For this reason, the Government has allocated funding to the municipalities and regions and appointed an inquiry on their fundamental preparedness. To further strengthen their preparedness efforts, the Tidö Parties propose allocating approximately SEK 4.6 billion in 2026-2028. The aim is to enhance capability in both the short and long term, which can take place through investments in meal supply operations and personnel supply.

Civil protection

Stronger rescue services and robust protection of the civilian population are key components of Sweden's civil defence. Through a redistribution of previously estimated funds, measures being implemented correspond to SEK 146 million for 2026, SEK 399 million for 2027 and SEK 628 million for 2028. This adds up to approximately SEK 1.2 billion for the entire period. This funding is being provided in addition to the SEK 100 million per year that the Government previously set aside for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to upgrade and modernise protective shelters. 

For Sweden's rescue services, funds will go towards enhancing basic capabilities within municipal rescue services in a heightened state of alert by introducing civilian service after enrolment and extensive basic training. To better protect the civilian population, investments will go towards accelerating the pace of renovating Sweden's protective shelters, introduction of protective spaces and planning for evacuation and associated quartering.