Sweden Planning to Introduce ID Checks for Travellers to the Country

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sweden wants to reintroduce ID checks for travellers to the country by bus, train, or ship.
• Such a measure is being considered to maintain order and security.
• The measure is expected to enter into force on March 1, 2024.

In an effort to maintain order and security in the country, the Swedish government is considering a new law that would permit the reintroduction of identity checks during transportation by bus, train, or passenger ship to Sweden from another country.

According to the Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure, the proposed legislation aims to empower the government with the necessary tools to swiftly implement measures if the situation demands it.

The same stressed that if the proposal is approved, identity checks will only be carried out if necessary, meaning that the measure will not be effective at all times.

Emphasising the importance of providing the government with the authority to ensure public order and security, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, said that this law is very important.

It is important that the government has the tools needed to ensure order and security in the country. With this law, the government gets the opportunity to quickly take relevant measures if necessary.

Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson

As the Ministry explains, the proposed law gives the right to the government to prohibit the transportation of individuals without valid ID documents by bus, train, or passenger ship to Sweden for a limited period of time.

However, it has been stressed that this measure can only be implemented if a situation arising in migration poses a serious threat to public order or internal security.

The law may only be used if, due to a situation that arose in the area of ​​migration, a serious danger to public order or the internal security of the country has arisen.

Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure

In order for the authorities to be able to carry out ID checks, the law needs to be initially approved. If implemented, the ID check requirement may be enforced only for a maximum of six months at a time, with the possibility of extensions in six-month increments provided that the situation requires such a measure.

The proposed legislation also permits the government to impose penalty fees ranging from SEK 30,000 (€2,619) to SEK 250,000 (€21,830) for those who violate the ID check requirement.

This financial penalty is designed to discourage non-compliance with the regulations if they are implemented.

This move follows a temporary law introduced during the 2015 migration crisis, which allows for the implementation of ID checks. However, the law expires in 2018.

The current proposal, according to the legal council’s referral, is intended to be permanent and is expected to come into force on March 1, 2024.