GPS and worker monitoring, country by country
GPS and worker monitoring in Sweden
what you need to stay compliant
Updated on June 15, 2026
Competent authority
IMY (Integritetsskyddsmyndigheten, Swedish data protection authority)Verified on June 15, 2026
What you risk
200,000 SEK (about 17,500 euros)related case, not GPS
Updated on June 15, 2026
What you need
5For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
What you need
For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
Prior union negotiation (MBL s 11) before introducing the system
It dependsonly in certain casesAn employer bound by a collective agreement must, on its own initiative, negotiate with the union before a major change (such as introducing a monitoring or GPS system). This applies where the employer is bound by a collective agreement.
Prior authorisation from an authority before installing
Nonot requiredThere is no prior-authorisation regime by the IMY for GPS on employees; accountability applies (the employer documents the legal basis and balancing test itself).
Basis = balancing of interests (not consent) + clear information to workers
YesrequiredThe legal basis is normally the balancing of interests, not the employee consent (relationship of dependence); workers must be informed clearly, at the latest when the data is collected.
GPS only for a concrete operational need; no unjustified real-time surveillance, no reuse to assess performance
YesrequiredLocation tracking is allowed if justified by a concrete business need; not to monitor in real time without reason, and data collected for another purpose (e.g. a driving log) cannot be reused to analyse performance.
IMY, come usare i servizi di localizzazione (GPS) sui dipendenti
Impact assessment for systematic monitoring of employees
YesrequiredAn impact assessment is needed when the processing involves systematic monitoring of employees and a high risk to their rights is likely.
The procedure, step by step
If bound by a collective agreement, negotiate with the union before introducing the system (MBL s 11).
Document the legal basis (balancing of interests) and the related test.
Inform workers clearly, at the latest when the data is collected.
Carry out the impact assessment if the monitoring is systematic.
Configure the system: only a concrete operational need, no reuse to assess performance.
If you switch systems: when you change your monitoring system or software, update and re-issue the privacy notice, and check whether the national agreement or authorisation for remote monitoring needs renewing. The provider (data processor), the data collected and the methods often change: the one provided earlier is not enough.
Who to contact
IMY (Integritetsskyddsmyndigheten, Swedish data protection authority)
https://www.imy.se/privatperson/utfora-arenden/lamna-ett-klagomal
https://www.imy.se/privatperson/utfora-arenden/lamna-ett-klagomal
Sweden has a single national authority, the IMY (formerly Datainspektionen); there is no regional split.
Verified on June 15, 2026
IMY, reclami
https://www.imy.se/privatperson/utfora-arenden/lamna-ett-klagomal
https://www.imy.se/privatperson/utfora-arenden/lamna-ett-klagomal
Verified on June 15, 2026
The template to download
Download the free GPS privacy notice template for Sweden
Employee geolocation privacy notice template, compliant with GDPR Art. 13, including the countryโs legal basis and supervisory authority. Fill in the blank fields and have it checked by your advisor.
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IMY v. the Municipality of Skelleftea (2019): a school used camera-based facial recognition to record student attendance, an unlawful biometric processing (consent is not valid in a relationship of dependence). It is not a GPS case, but it is the landmark Swedish case on biometric attendance monitoring.
https://www.imy.se/tillsyner/gymnasienamnden-i-skelleftea-kommun/
Cite this page
You're free to cite it, as long as you credit the source with a link to this page.
GPS and worker monitoring in Sweden: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp. https://geotapp.com/en/resources/gps-workers-eu/sweden/Source: <a href="https://geotapp.com/en/resources/gps-workers-eu/sweden/?utm_source=citazione&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=risorse">GPS and worker monitoring in Sweden: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp</a>ยฉ 2026 GeoTapp. Data compiled and verified by GeoTapp. For full republication of the dataset or commercial use, get in touch.
Sources
- Lag 1976:580 om medbestammande i arbetslivet (MBL), ยง 11
- IMY, controllo e sorveglianza dei dipendenti
- IMY, come usare i servizi di localizzazione (GPS) sui dipendenti
- IMY, quando svolgere una valutazione d'impatto
- IMY, presentare un reclamo
- IMY, sanzione al Comune di Skelleftea (riconoscimento facciale per le presenze)
- Regolamento UE 2016/679 (GDPR)
This is an informational resource, not legal advice. Before activating a monitoring system, have your situation checked by a professional.
Want a system that is already compliant?
GeoTapp records the location only at clock-in, not continuously, and generates the notice for workers to sign. Try it for free.