Sweden has agreed with Estonia to rent prison cells for up to 600 inmates as its own prison population continues to grow, officials announced on Wednesday.
Under the deal, Sweden would lease 400 cells at the Tartu prison in southeastern Estonia, which can hold up to 600 prisoners. The arrangement aims to alleviate overcrowding in Swedish prisons and provide additional capacity for those serving sentences.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer described Estonia as “a very important and close partner” sharing similar international obligations concerning prisoner treatment. “There are therefore very good conditions for deeper cooperation between Sweden and Estonia,” Strommer said at a press briefing.
However, the agreement requires changes to Swedish law and must secure a three-quarters majority vote in parliament before it can be implemented. There is some uncertainty about parliamentary approval, as opposition parties and prison staff unions have voiced concerns or opposition to the plan.
Several other European countries have adopted similar approaches: Norway and Belgium have previously rented prison cells in the Netherlands, and Denmark is preparing to transfer inmates to Kosovo.
Sweden has experienced a surge in violent crime, including shootings and bombings linked to gang conflicts, placing increased pressure on its penal system. The current centre-right government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has vowed to toughen crime laws since taking office in 2022.
Ingemar Kihlstrom, from the Christian Democrats, a coalition partner, said harsher sentencing and enhanced police powers will continue to strain prison capacity.
The government clarified that only inmates without significant healthcare needs and who do not pose high security risks would be sent to Estonia. Strommer stressed that a key priority in negotiations was to ensure that serving sentences in Estonia closely mirrors conditions in Swedish prisons.
He expressed hope to finalise the agreement with Estonian Justice Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta “within a few weeks.”
If ratified by parliament, the deal is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2026.