Can EU citizens enter Sweden with just an ID card?
Which travel documents EU citizens need and which cards are not accepted.
Short answer
Yes, EU citizens can enter Sweden with either a valid passport or a national ID card. The card must be a national ID card, because the Swedish Police say other types of ID card are not valid travel documents. A driving licence is not a travel document either.
Why
- According to the Swedish Police, for citizens of other EU/EEA countries a valid passport or national ID card applies.
- According to the EU portal Your Europe, EU nationals can travel to the 27 EU countries and to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with a valid passport or national ID card.
- According to Your Europe, you usually do not have to show ID at internal Schengen borders, but when a country reintroduces temporary border controls you must show a valid passport or ID card, and Sweden has such controls, notified to the European Commission until 11 May 2027.
Details
The document must be valid on the day of travel, and children need their own passport or ID card. If you cannot show a document, the authorities must first give you a reasonable chance to prove your EU citizenship in another way, but it is your responsibility to prove it. For Nordic citizens, the Swedish Police say a valid Nordic driving licence is often enough within the Nordic region, but a passport or national ID card is the safest choice.
Tip
Check the expiry date of your ID card before you travel and keep it on you for the whole trip, because Sweden has temporary checks at its internal border.
What may differ
When you travel between a Schengen country and Cyprus or Ireland, you must show a passport or ID card at the border, because Cyprus has not yet abolished its internal border controls and Ireland has opted out of the Schengen rules.
People also ask
- Can EU citizens travel to Sweden with an ID card only?
- Do EU citizens need a passport for Sweden?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Police before you travel.
Planning and entry to SwedenRelated questions
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Can you bring prescription medicines into Sweden?
You can bring prescription medicines into Sweden if you can show they are yours, for example with a prescription, a pharmacy label or a doctor's certificate.
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Can you bring food, meat and dairy into Sweden?
From other EU countries you may bring any type of food for personal use, but meat and dairy products from outside the EU are generally not allowed.
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How much alcohol and tobacco can you bring into Sweden from outside the EU?
From outside the EU you can bring 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of fortified wine, 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes duty free.
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How do I renew a Swedish passport from abroad?
Swedish citizens living abroad can apply for a passport at some Swedish embassies, and most embassies can also hand over a passport applied for elsewhere.