A new civil foreign intelligence service is to be established in Sweden by 2027. The decision marks the government's move forward with several proposals from the intelligence investigation previously presented by former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt (Moderate Party) this summer.
In a press release from the Government Offices of Sweden, it is stated that a special investigator has been tasked with implementing the formation of the new agency. The civil foreign intelligence service is to be operational by 1 January 2027 and will, among other things, provide the Government Offices with analyses of foreign conditions.
The task includes close cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), the National Defence Radio Establishment (Försvarets radioanstalt, FRA), the Swedish Security Service (Säkerhetspolisen), and other relevant total defence authorities. The government has also tasked the Swedish Armed Forces with reporting on the tasks, resources, and costs required to develop its military intelligence and security service and to assist the new civil establishment.
The background is the report A Reformed Intelligence Activity (SOU 2025:78) submitted on 13 June. In it, Carl Bildt proposed a new structure for Swedish intelligence services, citing a changed threat landscape, technological development, and Sweden's membership in NATO.
The government has appointed Annika Brändström as the special investigator to implement the formation of the new agency. The task is to be fully reported by 31 December 2026.