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In the Nordic countries, ID isn't mandatory, and apart from a few border crossings between Denmark and Sweden, there are no border controls either. Apart from t

by ahje 8y ago

In the Nordic countries, ID isn't mandatory, and apart from a few border crossings between Denmark and Sweden, there are no border controls either. Apart from the aforementioned border controls, citizens of other Nordic countries aren't required to carry a passport or a national ID card, but should carry some kind of identification on them. In practice, that means you just carry your regular driver's license in your wallet when crossing the border. I hear there's a similar setup in the Benelux countries, so ID is definitely not mandatory in the entire EU.

tapland 8y ago
You are very much required to carry a national ID card (or passport) when travelling to other Nordic countries. Now, there aren't any checks except for the border into Sweden from Denmark, but if there is a check you are not allowed to travel using an ID or driver's license. Driver's licences, ID cards issued by banks or tax offices are not valid for travel within schengen even though you are generally able to move between the countries anyway. The misconception you present is the reason Swedes with driver's licences and normal ID cards got stranded in Denmark.
- ahje 7y ago
  Misconception? The Nordic Passport Union is still quite valid. Quoted from Wikipedia: "Within the Nordic area, any Nordic identity documentation (e.g. a driving license) is valid as proof of identity for Nordic citizens because of the Nordic Passport Union, while a national identity card or a passport is can be required in other Schengen countries" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Passport_Union https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Passport_Union In other words, you need to be able to identify yourself, but not necessarily with a national ID or a passport as you would when entering other parts of the Schengen area. The border controls between Denmark and Sweden are a temporary suspension of those rules but it only concerns people crossing the border at those points -- not people who who are already in the country or people who cross the borders at other locations, like say, the Finnish/Swedish border.

by ahje 8y ago

tapland 8y ago

You are very much required to carry a national ID card (or passport) when travelling to other Nordic countries. Now, there aren't any checks except for the border into Sweden from Denmark, but if there is a check you are not allowed to travel using an ID or driver's license. Driver's licences, ID cards issued by banks or tax offices are not valid for travel within schengen even though you are generally able to move between the countries anyway. The misconception you present is the reason Swedes with driver's licences and normal ID cards got stranded in Denmark.

ahje 7y ago
Misconception? The Nordic Passport Union is still quite valid. Quoted from Wikipedia: "Within the Nordic area, any Nordic identity documentation (e.g. a driving license) is valid as proof of identity for Nordic citizens because of the Nordic Passport Union, while a national identity card or a passport is can be required in other Schengen countries" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Passport_Union https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Passport_Union In other words, you need to be able to identify yourself, but not necessarily with a national ID or a passport as you would when entering other parts of the Schengen area. The border controls between Denmark and Sweden are a temporary suspension of those rules but it only concerns people crossing the border at those points -- not people who who are already in the country or people who cross the borders at other locations, like say, the Finnish/Swedish border.