Sweden lowers age of criminal responsibility to 14 for some serious crimes

Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag, has voted to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 for some serious crimes, Report informs, citing the legislature's website.

Lawmakers approved a number of bills in the fields of justice and migration policy.

The bill on lowering the age of criminal responsibility was supported by 281 MPs, while 66 voted against it.

The government initially proposed setting the age at 13, but that option was rejected before being put to a vote.

As a result, 14-year-olds suspected of certain serious crimes may now be sentenced to prison.

In October 2025, the government instructed the Swedish Prison and Probation Service to prepare special units for 14-year-old juvenile inmates.