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Confused about Brexit? Here are 8 essential websites for Brits in Sweden

If you're one of the thousands of Brits in Sweden wondering what Brexit might mean for you, we've gathered up some of the most useful websites for finding out the latest updates and facts about the UK's withdrawal from the EU and how Brits in Sweden will be affected.

Published: 12 March 2019 15:00 CET
Confused about Brexit? Here are 8 essential websites for Brits in Sweden
These websites should help demystify the Brexit process. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

The Local's Brexit section

The Local has a section dedicated to Brexit, and specifically how Brits in Sweden will be affected by the various possible outcomes. You can follow Sweden-related Brexit news here, or if you're interested in more general Brexit updates, including those focused on other parts of Europe, you'll find The Local's pan-European Brexit coverage here.

The Swedish government

This is where you need to go for information from the government on how Brits will be affected, including any new permit requirements or law proposals. Initially this section was only available in Swedish, but since February it's been possible to read the main Brexit updates from the Swedish government in English. Of particular importance to Brits in Sweden is the page detailing the likely effects of Brexit on “the citizens who are particularly affected” and the advice provided for those who run businesses in Sweden.

READ ALSO: Here's what Brits in Sweden will need to do if there's a no-deal Brexit

Here's what Brits in Sweden will need to do if there's a no-deal Brexit
Photo: AP Photo/Alastair Grant/TT

The Swedish Migration Agency

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) also has a page dedicated to Brexit. At the moment, while the outcome of the negotiations is still unknown, it's extremely sparse, but once a deal has been decided or the UK leaves the EU, this is where you'll find information on what permits will be needed post-Brexit and how to apply. There's more information on the Swedish-language version of the page, though.

If the UK leaves without a deal, Sweden has granted a one-year 'grace period' allowing Brits to stay in Sweden while retaining their current rights and giving them time to apply for permits. Brits will also be able to apply for a proof of this status (in the form of a passport stamp) and it will be possible to do that online via the Migration Agency's website if a no-deal Brexit is confirmed.

The Association of Swedish Engineering Industries (Teknikföretaget)

This is particularly useful for those working in the tech industry, but could also provide insight for others. There's a 'checklist' of questions you should be asking yourself if you run a business in Sweden, from how staff could be affected to how to potential delays of imports and exports at the border, and it's available in English too.

National Board of Trade Sweden (Kommerskollegium)

This website focuses on the economic and commercial consequences of Brexit, which will be useful mainly to those working as sole traders or business-owners in Sweden. There's analysis of the possible consequences, including relating to the free movement of people.

Business Sweden

Again, as the name suggests this information is targeted towards those in the business sphere. Here it's even possible to sign up for a course on preparing your company for Brexit, and there's plenty of English-language information on trading with non-EU countries.

British Embassy in Sweden

The British Embassy doesn't have an individual website, but it's well worth following the British Embassy in Stockholm on Facebook to keep on track of any announcements, and to ask your questions. This is also where you'll find out about events such as town hall meetings held across the country to hear the latest updates from officials in person (recently they've live-streamed some of these events on the Facebook page too).

Citizens' groups on Facebook

In Sweden, the main Facebook group aimed at British citizens is British in Sweden, part of the EU-wide British in Europe group, which also has its own website. You may also want to look at other EU-wide groups for Brits living in the EU, such as Expats in Europe After Brexit and Brexpats – Hear Our Voice, or the many Facebook groups for Brits and other international citizens in Sweden, for example The Local's own Living in Sweden group or Expatriates in Sweden. 

READ ALSO: What would a no-deal Brexit mean for Brits studying in Sweden (or hoping to)?

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TRAVEL NEWS

EES: Could the launch of Europe’s new border system be delayed again?

After being postponed several times already Europe's new biometric Entry/Exit border system (EES) is set to be rolled out in October, but with fears of lengthy queues, problems with a new app and demands for more time, could it be postponed again?

Published: 26 April 2024 11:50 CEST
EES: Could the launch of Europe's new border system be delayed again?

Could the entry into operation of the EU entry/exit system (EES), the new biometric passport checks for non-EU citizens at the Schengen area’s external borders, be delayed yet again?

Originally planned for May 2022, EES has already been postponed many times.

The current launch date, set for October 2024, was chosen to avoid periods of peak traffic and France in particular had requested to avoid it being launched until after the Paris Olympics this summer.

When asked to confirm the October start date this week a spokesperson for the EU’s Commission told The Local that the “roadmap” for the EES IT system foresees it will be ready for Autumn 2024. But the actual start date, in other words, the day when passengers will have to register, would be confirmed nearer the time.

The spokesperson said: “The exact date will be determined by the European Commission and announced on the EES official website well in time for the start of operations.”

READ ALSO: Your key questions answered about Europe’s new EES passport checks

But the reasons are adding up to suggest an October start date is optimistic, perhaps even unlikely.

In the annual report on the ‘State of Schengen’ published last week, the European Commission spelt out that severe challenges remain if member states are to be ready on time.

“In 2023, efforts to ensure the entry into operation of the Entry-Exit System in the autumn of 2024 were accelerated… While important progress has been made across the Schengen area, some Member States are still falling behind, notably regarding the effective equipment of border crossing points. The Commission calls on all Member States to urgently accelerate preparations to ensure the timely implementation of the system…”

A map in the report shows that preparation is still “in progress” in 13 Schengen area countries, including Germany, Norway and Switzerland. “Outstanding issues” still impact Portugal, Malta and Bulgaria.

The state of play for the preparations for EES across EU and Schengen states. Image: European Commission.

There are also reports that EU heavyweight Germany is trying to persuade Brussels to delay.

Matthias Monroy, editor of the German civil rights journal Bürgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP claimed on his website that “the German government is lobbying in Brussels to postpone the date once again, as otherwise the German tests of the EES cannot be completed in full. Other EU countries are also behind schedule, with only eight of them having reported successful integration.”

Even on a French government website it talks of EES being rolled out some time “between the end of 2024 and 2025” rather than stating October 2024.

And according to recent media reports, French airports have been advised to be ready for November 6th, rather than October. 

READ ALSO: EES and Etias – what are the big upcoming travel changes in Europe?

A planned EU app, believed to be essential to the smooth operation of EES because it would allow non-EU visitors to register in advance of travel will not be ready, Gwendoline Cazenave, Managing Director of Eurostar International, the company operating train services via the Channel Tunnel, has told the BBC. The EU however insists the app does not need to be up and running before EES is introduced.

In the UK, which will be heavily impacted by EES due to the fact it is no longer in the EU and so British travellers are no longer EU citizens, the House of Commons European scrutiny committee is conducting an inquiry on the potential disruption the introduction of the EES will cause at the border.

Several respondents have recently raised the alarm about the possible delays the system could cause, especially at the UK-France border, which is used by millions of passengers each year who head to France and other countries across Europe.

Ashford Borough Council in Kent has warned of the possibility of more than 14 hours queues to reach the Port of Dover, which has already been struggling increased checked after Brexit.

The BBC reported that back in March, a P&O Ferries director said the IT system should be delayed again.

Airlines have also complained about the fact pre-travel EES requirements would make last minute bookings impossible.

The Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, has simply said more time is needed.

In other words, it would be little surprise if the roll out was delayed again beyond October 2024.

But the Commission spokesperson told The Local that “the timeline for the entry into operation of the EES took into account all the necessary activities to be performed by all relevant stakeholders to ensure a timely entry into operation. 

“The Commission is working very closely with eu-Lisa [the EU agency in charge of the IT system], the Member States and carriers to ensure that everything is ready for the timely and successful launch of the Entry Exit System.

“The roadmap for the delivery of the new IT architecture foresees that the Entry/Exit system will be ready to enter into operation in Autumn 2024.”

New digital border

The EES is a digital system to register travellers from non-EU countries when they cross a border in or out of the Schengen area, the travel-free area. It will be deployed in 29 countries across Europe including 25 EU states plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Ireland and Cyprus are the only EU members who won’t apply the EES system.

It doesn’t apply to non-EU nationals who are legally resident in an EU/Schengen area country or those with dual nationality of an EU /Schengen county. The system was designed to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Instead of having the passport stamped, travellers will have to scan it at self-service kiosks before crossing the border. However, fingerprints and a photo will have to be registered in front of a guard at the first crossing and there are huge concerns the extra time needed could generate long queues in the UK, where there are juxtaposed border checks with the EU.

Preparations are ongoing throughout Europe and some countries have made good progress.

In France, Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, has recently reported that new EES infrastructure is finished at its French terminal of Coquelles, which will allow travellers to register their biometric data while travelling.

Eurostar is also installing 49 kiosks in stations for the registration of passengers. But the Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, said more time is needed.

Exempted

Meanwhile, the Polish government has urged UK citizens who are beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement to get a residence permit “in the context of EES/ETIAS”, even though there was not such an obligation to stay legally in Poland post-Brexit.

“Having such a document is beneficial as it will exempt from future Entry/Exit System (EES) registration when crossing external borders and from the need to obtain an ETIAS travel permit in relation to short-term travel to EU/Schengen countries,” the government page says.

This article as published in collaboration with Europe Street news.

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