Sweden extends border controls with Denmark

Despite declining numbers of asylum seekers, controls will be in place for at least three more months

Sweden’s controls along its border with Denmark will be continued for three more months when they expire on February 11.

“The need for order and security remains high,” Swedish PM Stefan Löfven told the news agency TT. “We are still in an uncertain state.”

Border controls were introduced in late 2015 to curb the number of asylum-seekers trying to get into Sweden. Despite sharply declining numbers of asylum-seekers, Sweden has chosen to extend the checks.

Danish controls also extended
Denmark recently announced that its border controls with Germany would also be extended for three months.

“Pending the control of the external borders of Europe, it is essential for us to extend border controls,” explained the Danish immigration and integration minister, Inger Støjberg.

The EU Commission gave the green light for the three-month extension, even though it had hinted that the last extension would be the last it would permit.

READ MORE: Swedish border controls could hurt Danish economy

Over 400,000 people pass through the border controls between Sweden and Denmark each week.

During the last four weeks of 2016, 231 were declined and 13 sought asylum, according to TT.

TOP STORIES

  • Gangs of Copenhagen

    Gangs of Copenhagen

    While Copenhagen is rated one of the safest cities in the world year after year, it is no stranger to organized crime, which often springs from highly professional syndicates operating from the shadows of the capital. These are the most important criminal groups active in the city

  • “The Danish underworld is now more tied to Scandinavia”

    “The Danish underworld is now more tied to Scandinavia”

    Carsten Norton is the author of several books about crime and gangs in Denmark, a journalist, and a crime specialist for Danish media such as TV 2 and Ekstra Bladet.

  • Right wing parties want nuclear power in Denmark

    Right wing parties want nuclear power in Denmark

    For 40 years, there has been a ban on nuclear power in Denmark. This may change after all right-wing parties in the Danish Parliament have expressed a desire to remove the ban.

  • Tunø: An island running out of time

    Tunø: An island running out of time

    The island of Tunø harbors a community of 74 adults and one child. There are no cars and only one connection to the rest of the world. Now, climate change threatens it

  • Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    The number of relocations across the Øresund Region is rising. As highlighted by 2023 numbers, Sweden benefits from a growing interest, especially among younger generations.

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs