No, owning a kangaroo in Sweden is prohibited under the 2023 Swedish Animal Welfare Act and the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, which classify non-native species as restricted without special permits. The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) enforces these rules, requiring exotic animal owners to prove conservation or research purposes. Recent 2026 amendments tighten enforcement, mandating microchipping and habitat inspections for permitted species.
Key Regulations for Owning a Kangaroo in Sweden
- Prohibition under primary law: The Swedish Animal Welfare Act (2023:1115) explicitly bans private ownership of kangaroos, classifying them as “wild animals” under Chapter 6, Section 4. Violations risk fines up to SEK 100,000 or imprisonment.
- Permit exceptions: The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) may issue permits only for zoological, educational, or scientific institutions with ISO 14001-certified facilities. Personal pets are ineligible.
- EU compliance: Sweden adheres to the EU Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97, which restricts imports of live marsupials without CITES documentation. All applications undergo risk assessments by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV).