Is there passport control between Norway and Sweden?
Schengen, ID rules, temporary checks and customs at the border.
Short answer
There is no routine passport control on the land border between Norway and Sweden, because both countries are in the Schengen Area. You should still carry a passport or national ID card, as only these prove your citizenship during checks. Sweden has notified temporary checks at all its internal borders until 11 May 2027, and customs control still applies.
Why
- Norway's temporary border control, notified for 12 May to 11 November 2026 and again for 12 November 2026 to 11 May 2027, covers only ports with ferry connections to the Schengen Area, not the land border with Sweden.
- Sweden has notified temporary border control at all its internal borders by land, air and sea for the same two periods, so you can be checked when you enter Sweden.
- Nordic citizens can travel to Norway from another Nordic country without a passport, while other EU/EEA citizens must carry a passport or national ID card that shows their citizenship.
Details
Travellers from outside the EU/EEA need a valid passport, and a visa if their nationality requires one, also when they come from Sweden. Customs is a separate matter: the EEA Agreement does not cover the EU customs union, so Norwegian quotas apply when you drive in from Sweden. Customs officers can check people, luggage and vehicles that cross the border.
Tip
Carry a passport or national ID card, not just a driving licence: during temporary border controls, only these two documents can prove your citizenship.
What may differ
Ferry travel is different: Norway's temporary control applies at ports with ferry connections to the Schengen Area, so you can be checked when you arrive in Norway by ferry. The controls apply for limited periods and can be extended or changed.
Common misconception
Because of Schengen, you can cross between Norway and Sweden without any ID.
What actually happens
Schengen removes routine passport checks, not the need for ID: travellers who are not Nordic citizens must carry a passport or national ID card, and Schengen countries can reintroduce temporary border control.
People also ask
- Do I need a passport to cross from Sweden to Norway?
- Are there border checks between Norway and Sweden?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the European Commission's list of temporary border controls before you travel.
Travelling and moving to NorwayRelated questions
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Does Norway have a working holiday visa?
Norway gives working holiday permits only to young citizens of six countries: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Andorra and Canada.
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Do I need to stop at customs when driving into Norway from Sweden?
When you drive into Norway from Sweden, you only need to stop at customs if you have goods over the quota or value limit to declare.
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What happens if I bring more than the duty-free quota into Norway?
If you declare the goods over the quota and pay the duty, you keep them, but undeclared goods found by customs lead to a fine and are confiscated.
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How do I declare goods at Norwegian customs?
You declare goods either in Tolletaten's Kvoteappen before you reach the border or in the red channel at a staffed customs office, where you pay the duty.