Personal boundary checks removed when Sweden became part of the Schengen cooperation.

On 12 December 2008, Switzerland joined the border-free Schengen Area. Checks at airports in Switzerland - which is not a EU member - will be lifted on the night between 28 and 29 March 2009.

On 21 December 2007 border controls to enter the following countries by land or sea were abolished by nine new Schengen members. These were: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. On 30 March 2008 border controls at airports in these countries were also removed.

Swedes are still required to prove their citizenship and identity, through the presentation of a passport or the new national identity card when visiting hotels, camping sites etc in other Schengen countries. The only acceptable form of Swedish identification which states citizenship is a passport or the national identity card. However the Nordic countries recognise each others’ identity cards therefore passports are not required.
 New, national identity card replaces passport within Schengen.

Members of the Schengen cooperation
Besides the nine new members, EU member states Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are party to Schengen. Also Norway and Iceland are signatories of Schengen.

When travelling between these countries personal controls will not be carried out. However, two EU countries have chosen to retain personal controls at their boundaries,  these are Ireland and Great Britain. The ten new member states are also not members of the Schengen cooperation. These countries will individually evaluate the extent to which they are able to implement the Schengen regulations especially with regard to external border controls. This must be carried out before the inner border controls can be waived.

Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania are expected to join Schengen in the future.

Stricter controls at our borders
As from 25 March 2001 Sweden is fully incorporated in the Schengen agreement within the EU. Through the Schengen agreement citizens of the Schengen countries are allowed to move freely between the member countries.

The inner boundary controls have ceased, this means that all personal controls between Schengen countries no longer exist.

With the establishment of Schengen came the opportunity of increased cooperation to fight international crime. That is why outer boundary controls have been stepped up. An outer boundary is the boundary between a Schengen country and a third country. Third countries are all those not part of the Schengen agreement regardless of where in the world they are.

It is therefore no longer necessary to present a passport at the passport control booths when travelling within a Schengen country. However, you should take your passport - or your new national identity card - with you as that is the only means you have of proving your identity and citizenship.

According to the Schengen regulations you will need to produce an acceptable form of identification when visiting hotels, camping sites etc in a member state. In reality this means you will need to take your passport or your new national identity card with you.

Remember to present your passport when travelling to Great Britain and Ireland as these two countries have chosen to retain personal border controls.

Contact your local police station or your travel agent for more information regarding passport regulations.

The Schengen agreement only covers personal controls, safety controls are consequently not affected.

Authorities
Rikspolisstyrelsen – The National Swedish Police Board – deal with passports, identity checks and border controls.
 www.polisen.se
e-mail
+46-(08)-401 90 00 or your local police authority.
The Swedish Migration Board (visas etc)
 www.migrationsverket.se
e-mail
Head Office +46-(0)11-15 60 00
Swedish Customs (customs queries)
 www.tullverket.se
+46-(0)771-520 520 
The Swedish Coast Guard
 www.kustbevakningen.se
Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses to management centres:
Härnösand:
+46-(0)611-855 50,e-mail
Stockholm:
+46-(0)8-789 79 95, e-mail
Karlskrona:
+46-(0)455-35 35 35, e-mail
Göteborg:
+46-(0)31-69 90 00, e-mail
Swedish Data Inspection Board (responsible for the national SIS register)
 www.datainspektionen.se
e-mail
+46-(0)8-657 61 00