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Sweden to exempt international elite gamers from non-EU entry ban

The Swedish government has proposed a new exemption to the non-EU entry ban, which would make it easier for esports players to take part in competitions in Sweden.

Published: 23 July 2021 11:22 CEST
Sweden to exempt international elite gamers from non-EU entry ban
The international esports competition Dreamhack in Stockholm in 2016. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT

Sweden has had a ban in place on travel from most non-EU/EEA countries since March last year, which was introduced in line with EU recommendations at the time to curb the spread of coronavirus.

But there are several exemptions, including if you live in Sweden or the EU, if you’re travelling for certain purposes such as urgent family reasons and vital work, or if you’re travelling from certain low-infection countries which are decided at the EU level.

There is also an exemption in place for sportspeople who are travelling to Sweden to take part in, or to carry out vital work at, international competitions at the elite level.

The government now wants to extend that exemption to esports competitors. Sweden has one of the world’s most vibrant esports and gaming scenes, tapping into a billion-dollar industry. The world’s largest LAN party, DreamHack, was founded in Sweden in the 1990s.

“I am pleased that we can now take further steps to allow for international esports events even in pandemic times. Sweden has long been a pioneer in esports, something we must continue to protect,” said Culture and Democracy Minister Amanda Lind, who is also responsible for the government’s sports portfolio, in a statement.

The justice ministry on Friday invited relevant organisations and authorities to comment on the proposal, which – if the rule changes go ahead – would come into effect on August 23rd.

The proposed text of the law would state that foreigners are exempt from the entry ban if they are “persons travelling for the purpose of performing highly qualified work, if their work is necessary from an economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed remotely, including persons who are to participate in, or perform necessary tasks at, international elite sports competitions or similar international elite competitions” (proposed new addition in italics).

Sweden’s non-EU entry ban is currently in place until August 31st.

Member comments

  1. The past year has shown us, that Athletes function outside of society. They do not matter and do not contribute to advancement of human life. Obviously, “opium for the people” needs to be delivered, i get that. The masses have to be kept calm. Those who are vital stil suffer the consequences, even more so e-gamer, wtf. It is right there in the name, it is live on the internet, bruuh.

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EES PASSPORT CHECKS

EES border checks could undergo ‘soft launch’, UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a "soft launch" of the new EU border system – the Entry/Exit (EES) system - in October but authorities are still waiting for European Commission to confirm the start date, amid concerns over the delay of a new app.

Published: 4 May 2024 09:30 CEST
EES border checks could undergo 'soft launch', UK says as app concerns mount

The UK government is preparing for a soft launch of the new EU border system – the entry/exit (EES) system – on the assumption that it will go live on October 6th, ministers told a hearing at the House of Commons European scrutiny committee this week.

But the European Commission is expected to confirm the exact launch date of the new biometric checks for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area at some point this summer, they added.

“We are very much working on a basis whereby this policy will go live on the 6th of October. It is important that we plan for that eventuality. We are expecting to hear definitively from the European Union that ‘go live’ arrangement in the summer,” Tom Pursglove, UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border told the committee.

The parliamentary committee is conducting an inquiry on the disruptions the system will cause in the UK.

Pursglove also said that “precautionary measures” have been agreed by the EU, that will be put in place in certain circumstances after the start of EES, for example if delays at the borders exceeded a certain length of time.

Guy Opperman, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, said that in practice this meant a “soft launch” of EES for 6 months before “a full go live”. During that soft launch EU member states and the UK could deploy flexibility measures should problems occur.

“The likelihood is, after multiple delays, that the 6th of October will proceed” and the implementation looks “very different” compared to previous scenarios considering the flexibility allowed in the first 6 months, he argued.

No details were given on what these “flexible” measures would involve however. 

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

He conceded that “a lot of work” still needs to be done but the UK “should be as ready as everybody” and “better be at front of the queue”.

App not ready

During the meeting, it also emerged that a much-anticipated app that would allow remote pre-registration of non-EU citizens subject to the checks will not be available for testing until August “at best”, prompting concerns about the EES launch date.

“You don’t need to be a sceptic about future projects to think that the provision of the app in August for going live in October is optimistic,” Opperman said.

Ministers confirmed that the app will not be ready in time for October and the committee previously stated it might be delayed until summer 2025.

The app will facilitate pre-registration, but photo and fingerprints will still have to be taken at the border in front of a guard, the committee heard.

READ ALSO: How do the EU’s new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?

Several MPs asked whether the entry into operation of the EES should be delayed again if technology is not ready. But Under-Secretary Opperman said the app “is not going to be a panacea to fix all problems”.

The main aim of EES is to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

The entry into operation of the system has already been delayed several times and there have been calls from certain travel companies and national authorities to delay it again.

Under the new scheme, non-EU/EFTA travellers who do not need a visa will have to register their biometric data (finger prints and facial images) in a database that will also record each time they enter and exit the Schengen area.

Instead of having passports manually stamped, travellers will have to scan them 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 concerns the extra time needed will generate long queues, especially in Dover, Folkestone and St. Pancras station in London, where there are juxtaposed French and UK border checks.

Progress in preparations

Minister Pursglove also updated MPs on ongoing preparations. He said some testing of the system will take place within days, 5 kiosks have been installed at St. Pancras station and are available for testing. “You are beginning to see the physical infrastructure appear,” he said.

Kiosks and extra lanes are also being created at the port Dover and it was agreed with the EU passengers travelling by coach will be checked away from the Eastern dock, where controls usually take place, allowing to gain space. The vehicles will then sealed and drive on the ferries.

MPs also discussed the infrastructure cost linked to the introduction of the EES. Opperman said all EU countries will have to make “huge investments” in their ports. In the UK, he argued, this will help “address problems that have existed for some time”. Because of this “massive investment”, in a few years time “Dover will be totally transformed,” he said.

This article is published in cooperation with Europe Street News.

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