Religious freedom is provided by the constitution. Over 86% of the people are members of the official religion, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is supported by the state and headed by the sovereign. Muslims are the next largest group with about 2% of the population. Protestants and Roman Catholics together make up another 3% of the population. About 9% of the population claim no religious affiliation.
In 1999 an independent four-member council appointed by the government published guidelines and principles for official approval of religious organizations. The guidelines establish clear requirements that religious organizations must fulfill, including providing a full written text of the religion's central traditions, descriptions of its rituals, an organizational structure accessible for public control and approval, and constitutionally elected representatives who can be held responsible by authorities. The guidelines also forbid organizations to "teach or perform actions inconsistent with public morality or order."