The embassy's primary role is to monitor, represent, and advance Swedish interests within the Netherlands and international organizations based in The Hague.
The embassy regularly reports to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, offering insights into political and economic developments, as well as the country's stance on global events.
Jacob van Dijck (1567–1631), a seasoned diplomat with Dutch roots who had participated in the negotiations leading to the treaty, was appointed as Sweden's first ambassador to the Netherlands.
van Dijck successfully secured Dutch loans, but encountered difficulties during the repayment process, leading to his recall by Gustav II Adolf in 1620.
Gyldenstolpe's tenure in The Hague coincided with a pivotal shift in Swedish foreign policy towards an anti-French stance, spearheaded by the new President of the Court of Chancery Bengt Gabrielsson Oxenstierna.
In 1681, Gyldenstolpe played a pivotal role in cementing this shift by negotiating the crucial guarantee treaty between Sweden and Holland, later joined by the Emperor and Spain.
In The Hague, his main tasks were mediating in the War of the Palatine Succession and securing the maritime powers' support for Swedish foreign policy, particularly concerning the Treaty of Altona and the conflict between Denmark and the Duke of Holstein.
Despite conflicts with other Swedish diplomats and limited success in some mediation efforts, Lillieroot managed to secure important treaties and inform about the maritime powers' readiness to intervene at the outbreak of war in 1700.
[3] During the Age of Liberty (1719–1772), the Swedish diplomatic mission in The Hague lost much of its political significance but emerged as a hub for Sweden's commercial and technological knowledge.
Joachim Fredrik Preis, with his extensive legal and practical expertise and wide-ranging connections, provided valuable insights to the Swedish government and the National Boards of Trade and Mines.
He had a critical eye for the often fantastical plans that arose and showed a keen interest in fisheries, contributing to the establishment of a Swedish fishing company.
[4] Carl Johan Creutz was appointed as Sweden's representative to the States General of the Netherlands in 1760 due to his extensive service in the country.
[5] Emanuel de Geer efficiently managed state loan transactions and trade negotiations in the Dutch Republic, despite their lack of direct political significance.
De Geer's keen observation of political shifts in The Hague proved crucial, especially in the late 1770s when the Netherlands and Sweden aimed to protect trade against English privateers.
In September 1781, he requested six months' leave to return home but was instead asked to travel to Paris, though he stayed in The Hague due to conflicting responses from his superior.
[10] From 1 April 1944, Gunnar Hägglöf served as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Belgian government in exile and the Dutch government-in-exile in London.
[12] In September 1956, due to agreements between the Swedish and Dutch governments regarding the mutual elevation of their missions to embassies, envoy Sven Dahlman was appointed as ambassador.
Regular reports are sent to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm with information and analyses of, for example, political and economic developments and the country's stance on international events.
Another part of the embassy's work involves consular issues, meaning assistance to Swedish citizens abroad who have, for example, been victims of crime or lost their passports.
[35] Constructed in 1736, the building is one of many private residences built along the street Lange Voorhout, "the long forest," by members of Holland's leading families.
[34] The residence's baroque facade in red brick facing Lange Voorhout bears clear traces of Louis XIV and France.
A renovation completed in 1993, designed by architects Bo Myrenberg [sv] and Hando Kask, included the installation of district heating, a new kitchen and laundry room, as well as a wine cellar and storage spaces.