# Sweden proposes new Space Act with permits and penalty fees from 2027

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027
- Published: 2026-10-29
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Country: sweden
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/sweden-proposes-new-space-act-with-permits-and-penalty-fees-from-2027.md)
- Primary source: https://en.rymdstyrelsen.se/nyheter/2026/ny-lag-ska-rusta-sverige-for-framtidens-rymdverksamhet/
- Tags: sweden, swedish national space agency, space act, nato, eu, swedish government

> Sweden plans to replace its 1982 Space Act with new legislation from July 2027, giving the Swedish National Space Agency authority to issue most permits directly while introducing penalty fees of up to 2% of global turnover for non-compliant operators. The reform aims to boost predictability as expected permit applications rise from just one or two annually to around twenty.

![Genrebild](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/5ebe9108-5a63-43bc-b76e-1a086e1df600/public)
*Genrebild · NASA Goddard Space Flight Center*

**Sweden’s government [plans](https://en.rymdstyrelsen.se/nyheter/2026/ny-lag-ska-rusta-sverige-for-framtidens-rymdverksamhet/) to replace its 1982 Space Act with a new law from 1 July 2027. According to the Swedish National Space Agency, it would then make most permit decisions itself. Today it prepares them for the government.**

— Perhaps the most important thing about the new law is that it creates greater predictability, said Nicklas Vabi, the agency’s legal counsel.

A draft bill is out for [consultation](https://regeringen.se/remisser/2026/07/remiss-av-utkast-till-lagradsremiss-en-ny-lag-om-rymdverksamhet/) until 6 November. It names protecting Sweden’s security, foreign and defence interests as an explicit aim of the law. The government would still decide cases where an activity is needed for national security. It could also exempt authorities, NATO and the EU from the permit requirement.

Under the draft, private operators could face penalty fees of up to 2 per cent of global turnover or SEK 100 million, whichever is higher. Liability for damage on Earth would be capped at SEK 600 million per incident.

The agency handles one or two permit cases a year. Defence Minister Pål Jonson expects this to rise to about twenty, the government [said](https://regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2026/05/rymdstyrelsen-far-i-uppdrag-att-forbereda-en-ny-organisation-for-tillstandsprovning-av-rymdverksamhet/) in May, at which point it had proposed an extra SEK 14 million for the agency in 2026.

## FAQ

**What penalty fees could private operators face under Sweden's new Space Act?**

Private operators could face penalty fees of up to 2 per cent of global turnover or SEK 100 million, whichever is higher. Liability for damage on Earth would be capped at SEK 600 million per incident, according to the draft bill out for consultation until 6 November. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-29.

**When will Sweden's new Space Act take effect and what law will it replace?**

Sweden's government plans to replace its 1982 Space Act with a new law starting 1 July 2027. Under the new law, the Swedish National Space Agency would make most permit decisions itself rather than merely preparing them for the government as it does today. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-29.

**How many permit cases does Sweden's National Space Agency expect to handle under the new law?**

The agency currently handles one or two permit cases a year, but Defence Minister Pål Jonson expects this to rise to about twenty. The government proposed an extra SEK 14 million for the agency in 2026 to prepare for the increased caseload. Last fact-checked: 2026-10-29.

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