Since September 2005, all those travelling by air will be required to present identification documents when checking-in and embarking. Initially this only affected those travelling on international flights. Since 1 May 2006, this also affects domestic flights.
The following identification documents are acceptable:
SIS identity-cards and service cards
Drivers licence
Passport and national identity-card
It is necessary for the airlines to check passenger identities to ensure that the person who has checked in for a flight is the same person who is on the aircraft. This identitiy control has been or will shortly be introduced by a number of other countries within the EU.
Transportstyrelsen – The Swedish Transport Agency – has introduced this requirement in stages:
State 1, international flights: Since September 2005, these requirements apply to Swedish as well as foreign airlines.
Stage 2, domestic flights: Since 1 May 2006, the same requirements also apply for domestic flights.
More information from The Swedish Transport Agency
New, national identity card replaces passport within Schengen
A national identity card was introduced on 1 October 2005. This card contain information relating to Swedish citizenship. Therefore this new identity card can be used for travel within Schengen as well as confirming proof of citizenship. Those who do not hold a new identity card will be required to produce their passport for travel within Schengen.
Acquiring a new identity card
All applications for the new national identity cards should be sent to national police passport offices. Photographs will be taken at the passport office to ensure quality and remove any risk of identification mistakes. The new identity cards will cost SEK 400 and are valid for 5 years.
Identity cards introduced because
The EU requires all member states to guarantee that the person checking-in the baggage is also a passenger on the same flight. This is nothing new and has been a requirement in Sweden for the last 10 years. Airlines must guarantee that the same number of people who are checked-in also take a seat on the same flight.
However, the EU Commission has a different interpretation. The Commission wants guarantees that the person checking-in the baggage is also the same person who is a passenger on the flight. This interpretation requires all EU member states to introduce identification controls.