Sweden to Implement Stricter Border Controls for Non-EU Travelers Starting October 12, 2025
Sweden will enforce stricter border controls, requiring facial photos and fingerprints from non-EU travelers starting October 12, 2025.
Key Points
- • Stricter border control measures for non-EU travelers start on October 12, 2025.
- • Travelers must provide facial photos and fingerprints at all airports and ports connected to non-Schengen countries.
- • EU and Schengen citizens are exempt but may experience longer wait times.
- • The system aims to improve internal security across Europe and will transition to a fully digital format.
On October 12, 2025, Sweden will introduce new, stringent border control measures requiring travelers from non-EU and non-Schengen countries to provide facial photographs and fingerprints when entering the country, as part of a broader effort to enhance European internal security. These measures will be in effect at all airports and ports that have connections to non-Schengen regions, creating a new layer of scrutiny for non-EU travelers aiming to enter Sweden.
Louise Wahlberg from the police outlined the initiative's goals, emphasizing that it will significantly improve monitoring of individuals present in the EU and assist in maintaining a safer environment by ensuring that only authorized individuals enter. "This initiative will not only help track who is in the EU, but it will also ensure that those who should be allowed in can gain entry," she stated.
The system, aimed at bolstering safety amid rising concerns about border security, is expected to lead to initial delays at processing points; however, authorities are optimistic about achieving a smooth transition over time. Although citizens from EU and Schengen countries are exempt from fulfilling these new biometric requirements, they could face longer wait times at the borders due to the added processing protocols for other travelers.
As the implementation date approaches, the initiative reflects a coordinated effort across the EU to utilize modern technology for more effective border control. The end goal is to transition to a fully digital system that will include a central database accessible by all EU member states to manage and track border-crossing data, facilitating the identification of overstays and alerts for wanted individuals. Delivering a comprehensive overhaul to current practices, the decision underscores Sweden's commitment to enhancing national and regional security.