How does the border between Norway and Sweden work?
Schengen travel, Sweden's temporary checks and customs rules between Norway and Sweden.
Short answer
Norway and Sweden are both in the Schengen area, so the border has no permanent passport control, but customs rules apply because Norway is not an EU member. Sweden has temporary checks at its internal border, so carry your passport or national ID card.
Why
- According to the Swedish Police, Sweden has no external land border because Norway is a Schengen-associated member state.
- According to the Swedish Government, the temporary border control at Sweden's internal border runs from 12 May 2026 to 11 November 2026, the police decide where and how checks take place, and Norway has also reintroduced internal border controls.
- According to the Nordic Council of Ministers' Info Norden, Iceland and Norway are not members of the EU, and Swedish Customs (Tullverket) says goods you buy on a trip outside the EU may be subject to customs duty and tax.
Details
Swedish Customs says you must always choose the red lane, Goods to declare, if you are unsure whether something must be declared. Going the other way, Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) lets you bring goods worth up to NOK 6,000 on a trip of more than 24 hours without duties, and up to NOK 3,000 once per 24 hours on shorter trips, while alcohol and tobacco have separate quotas. Over the limit you must declare the goods and pay VAT and any duties.
Tip
Carry a passport or national ID card on every crossing, and check the allowances at Tullverket and Tolletaten before you shop on the other side of the border.
What may differ
Allowances for personal use depend on whether the goods come from an EU or a non-EU country, and special rules apply to animals, firearms, medicines and foodstuffs.
People also ask
- How does the Norway Sweden border work?
- Is there border control between Norway and Sweden?
Sources
- Swedish Police: Sweden's border crossing pointsChecked at:
- Government Offices of Sweden: Continued internal border controlChecked at:
- Info Norden: Customs regulations in SwedenChecked at:
- Swedish Customs: Questions and answers about buying goods when travellingChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: The value limitChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Police, Swedish Customs and Norwegian Customs 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.