Ex EU - a cautionary tale
 

So last night my partner flew to Stockholm on the evening BA flight, intending to overnight at an airport hotel and then take the first leg of his flight to JFK via LHR on the morning BA flight.

Obviously, everything was booked and ticketed. But, he was denied entry into Sweden - the immigration staff didn’t believe he had a legitimate reason to enter the country. And apparently they were questioning all arriving pax in detail. He had to spend the night in the airport terminal and he was escorted to the departure gate to ensure he caught his morning flight.

So, it could have been a lot worse - although his suitcase is currently lost…

But, has this happened to anyone else before ? Is this just a Brexit benefit that we now need to be more aware of ? Certainly makes me more cautious of doing overnight positioning/ex EU flights…

Whislt I have noticed the nordics still ask quite a few questions - unlike most eu countries - I haven’t heard any example like that before. Seems unduly harsh tbh. Did they have to stay in the small non Schengen area?

Interesting / ouch.

I assume yes given the Brexit reference but for clarity is your partner a British citizen? And someone who would ordinarily not even think twice about being granted entry to Sweden?

Swedish immigration is generally un keen on overnight back to backs. I’ve never been denied entry but I’ve certainly been asked quite a few questions and had fairly incredulous reactions when I say my intention is to come back tomorrow and fly back on the same plane (UK passport, post Brexit). Spain, France or Italy would probably be easier choices since they don’t tend to ask any questions at all.

I am sorry to hear that and this sounds a bit odd, since you mention Brexit I am assuming your partner travelled on a UK passport? Sweden generally has very liberal entry requirements for EU and UK citizens and it’s very unusual to not allow him entry, especially if he had a hotel reservation and an e ticket/confirmation that he was due to leave the next day ….

UK passport holder? Any chance that ethnic origins played a part here?

You can appeal a refusal to enter Schengen but it's the first time I've heard this before. It's not strictly speaking a transit stay, but if your partner said it was to save money or part of a mileage run, then I'd be surprised that there would be a problem. It sounds like that the immigration officers were on edge for some other reason and your partner was their most suspicious case that evening.

Not Sweden but Denmark -but on leaving CPH last week immigration was long maybe 30mins to exit. At the immigration desk I was questioned on how many days I had been in the EU (I have a UK passport) over the last year as I have quite a few stamps but no where near the limit on days. It’s just another thing we need to be aware of as we travel in Europe post Brexit.

Is there a limit to the number of days we (UK passport holders) are allowed in the EU?😳

I used to get a few blunt questions when entering Sweden - in the days of Apartheid - due to the South African stamps in my passport. More recently over in Norway I was also queried at Tromsø when arriving from MAD, so a purely Schengen trip. I wanted to say my grandfather had fewer problems entering Tromsø in May 1945, but thought better of it.

I think 90 days max in 6 months. I was asked about the same thing at ARN as a frequent traveller to the EU. The officer was satisfied that I was not in the EU for that many days, but was told to keep a record with me for EU immigration.

Depends where in the EU. Ireland it doesn't matter, and Cyprus couldn't care less. Otherwise it is up to 90 days per 180 days. If you haven't visited Schengen for 90 days the clock can re-start.

I flew to Norway last week and got asked the reason for my visit, how long I'd be staying for, and the immigration official wanted to see evidence of my hotel and return flight. First time I've experienced this in Scandinavia or Europe. The queue for non-EU/non-EEA passports was huge as there was a Qatar flight that had arrived a little time before, so I expect they were being really thorough. I thought I was going to miss my connection but luckily I made it.

It's almost like taking the ryanair flight to Danzig and acting surprised you landed in Poland ;)

Thanks for the replies, all.

He’s a dual UK/Australian citizen (white and ginger) and was travelling on his UK passport.

And, yes, he was stuck in the airport terminal with a vending machine, and apparently a few other people, for company.

That's very interesting information. Not questioning its validity whatsoever, but could you share where you got that information from (or what its based upon) as Cyprus not caring about the 90 days/180 days rule would be a huge help to a friend.