Short answer: No permit is needed for street music under the city's environmental rules. From 1 Oct 2026 the old 10:00-19:00 limit in central areas is removed, and you may play two hours per spot per day.
Do you need a permit to busk in Malmo?
| Permit needed? | No |
| Cost | Free |
| Regulated by | Malmo stad (local environmental rules); police for Public Order Act permits |
| Official page | malmo.se |
The rules in Malmo
- Amplifiers. Amplifiers and loudspeakers may not be used, unless the police have granted a permit under the Public Order Act.
- Max 2 hours at one spot per day, then move out of earshot
- Old 10:00-19:00 limit applied to Gamla staden, Davidshallsbron, Sodra Forstadsgatan, Triangeln; now removed
Taking card tips on a Malmo pitch
Plenty of people stop to listen and then find they have no coins on them. A QR code on a sign beside your case lets them tip in Swedish kronor by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone. Visitors can pay with a card from home, and nobody needs an app.
- Print it large. A phone reads a code from about ten times its width, so a 10 cm code works from a metre and an A3 sign from about three.
- Stand it upright at knee to waist height, with your name and one line saying what it is for.
- Playing as a group? One code can split every tip between the members automatically.
The full set-up is in cashless busking: card and phone tips.
Before you play
Read the general advice in busking etiquette and how to choose a busking pitch, and see how Malmo compares with other cities on the world busking map.
Sources
Checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, and enforcement varies from street to street, so confirm with Malmo stad (local environmental rules); police for Public Order Act permits before you play. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Do you need a permit to busk in Malmo?
No permit is needed for street music under the city's environmental rules. From 1 Oct 2026 the old 10:00-19:00 limit in central areas is removed, and you may play two hours per spot per day.
How much does it cost to busk in Malmo?
Free.
Can you use an amplifier when busking in Malmo?
Amplifiers and loudspeakers may not be used, unless the police have granted a permit under the Public Order Act.
Can buskers in Malmo take card payments?
Yes. A printed QR code lets listeners tip in Swedish kronor by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay from their own phone, with no card reader to carry or charge.
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