The Øresund Bridge will be closed to road traffic in both directions on October 1, 2026, as Danish and Swedish authorities carry out a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise.
The closure will affect motorway traffic from 20:00 to 23:15 CET. Train services across the Øresund connection will continue to operate as normal.
Øresund Bridge closed for emergency exercise
The exercise is part of the ongoing work to strengthen emergency preparedness on the Øresund connection, which links Denmark and Sweden by road and rail.
According to Øresundsbro Konsortiet, safety is the highest priority on the connection. Danish and Swedish authorities, emergency services and railway operators regularly work together to improve their ability to respond to major incidents.
A full-scale emergency exercise is held every four years, with the upcoming exercise on October 1 marking the seventh full-scale exercise since the Øresund connection opened in 2000. The previous exercise took place in 2022.
Road traffic will be completely suspended
Motorway traffic will be completely closed in both directions from 20:00 to 23:15 on October 1.
The exercise will test how the different organisations involved respond to a major incident on the connection. This includes cooperation at management level, the organisation of emergency responses, alarm procedures and communication between Danish and Swedish systems.
Drivers planning to cross the Øresund Bridge that evening are therefore advised to plan their journey in advance and allow for the closure.
Trains will run as normal
While road traffic will be suspended, Øresund trains will operate as normal. Passengers travelling between Denmark and Sweden can therefore use the railway connection during the exercise.
Travellers are advised to check Øresundsbron for the latest traffic information, while train passengers can consult Rejseplanen or the Skånetrafiken app for information about their journey.
When is the Øresund Bridge closed?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Road closure | 20:00–23:15 CET |
| Road traffic | Closed in both directions |
| Train traffic | Operating as normal |
| Reason | Full-scale emergency preparedness exercise |
The exercise is expected to cause temporary disruption for motorists, but Øresundsbron says the operation is an important part of maintaining and improving emergency preparedness across the Denmark-Sweden border.
