In 2023, representatives of Sweden and the US have negotiated an agreement to deepen defence cooperation between the countries. The Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will constitute a framework for continued defence cooperation by regulating the conditions for the presence of US military forces in Sweden.
The DCA was signed by the Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the 5th of December 2023. In order for the agreement to enter into force, the Riksdag must approve it and adopt the legislative amendments needed to implement it.
U.S. forces, U.S. contractors, and dependents shall be exempt from regulations governing the registration and control of aliens.
Sweden recognizes the particular importance of U.S. forces authorities’ disciplinary control over members of the U.S. forces and the effect that such control has on operational readiness. Therefore, at the request of the United States and in furtherance of its commitment to mutual defense, Sweden hereby exercises its sovereign discretion to waive its primary right to exercise criminal jurisdiction over members of the U.S. forces
Members of the U.S. forces, including the civilian component, shall not be subject to any proceedings for civil claims or administrative penalties arising out of acts or omissions attributable to such persons done in the performance of their official duties.
Members of the U.S. forces and dependents shall not be liable to pay any tax, fee, license charge, or similar charges, including VAT, in the territory of Sweden on the purchase, ownership, possession, use, transfer between themselves, or transfer in connection with death, of their tangible movable property imported into the territory of Sweden or acquired there for their own personal use.
U.S. forces may contract for any goods, materiel, supplies, equipment, and services (including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in the territory of Sweden without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person who provides such goods, materiel, supplies, equipment, or services.
