As of midnight last night, all passengers from Denmark travelling to Sweden by boat, train, or bus are now required to produce a valid photo identity card or passport document.

 

Those who cannot do so will be refused entry and the travel operator – if relevant – fined for not checking their paperwork.

 

The tight new regulations follow temporary controls introduced last November and an approved bill first presented to the Riksdag [national legislature body in Sweden-Ed] on December 9 last year. This was created as ‘an act of special measures’ on serious danger to public order and/or domestic security in the country.

 

As of today, these new regulations are now in place for six months, after which a new similar extension period can be automatically granted for as long as the government sees fit.

 

[The Swedish Government has been forced to obtain a temporary opt out from the European Union’s cross border Schengen agreement to allow the imposition of these new border controls-Ed].

 

Justifying the basis for these tighter controls, the Swedish Government said in a statement: “The assessment is that these checks will lead to a reduction in the number of people who seek asylum in Sweden.

 

“These measures are expected to have a positive impact on the possibility of maintaining order and security and reduce the general pressure on public services.”

 

 

The government also readily acknowledges that these changes will cause delays at some border points. In a statement, it says: “Some delays will inevitably occur. However, depending on the various solutions, these can be mitigated. For example, more staff can be used or cooperation can be arranged with station managers.

 

“It is also possible for carriers to adjust traffic operated according to a timetable. It could also mean that the planned travel times are lengthened. It can therefore be wise for travellers to allow plenty of time.”

 

Meanwhile, the Danish train operator DSB has estimated that these new border security checks on all passengers heading for Sweden from today – will cost it around DKK1m ($146,086) a day.

 

In Denmark, DSB said that on Monday it will start emptying all trains at Copenhagen Airport, the last stop before the 16km Oresund bridge/tunnel link to Sweden.

 

 

A temporary fence has already been erected separating the international line between Sweden and Denmark and the domestic line to prevent asylum seekers from jumping the tracks. Passengers will now have to disembark at Copenhagen Airport and pass through security and show ID cards or passports before boarding another.

 

At the same time, SJ, the largest train operator in Sweden is now advising that it no longer runs trains to Denmark. As of today, it states: “Due to the introduction of a new law that requires ID border checks on all travellers crossing the border into Sweden, no SJ trains will be running between Denmark and Sweden as of 4th January 2016.”

 

[Since late November, all travellers departing or entering non-EU Norway by ferry – or via the Swedish land border points – have had to show valid identification – principally a passport–Ed].