Denmark–Sweden border
The current national border between Denmark and Sweden dates to 1658.
It is entirely a maritime border, along Kattegat and Øresund, and in the Baltic Sea between Bornholm and Skåne. The territorial waters (12 mile zone) of the two countries meet exclusively along the Øresund, extending to about 115 kilometres (71 mi), approximately between Höganäs and Falsterbo.[1] There is one road connection, the 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long Øresund fixed link, opened in 2000, besides a number of ferry links.
History
Sweden and Denmark–Norway became separate countries with the breakup of the Kalmar Union in 1523. Until 1658, the historic provinces of Skåne, Blekinge and Bohuslän (and until 1645 also Halland) belonged to Denmark, so that the Denmark–Sweden border ran across what is now southern Sweden. In 1645 and 1658 respectively, these provinces were ceded to Sweden in the Treaty of Roskilde, establishing the Øresund as national boundary.
The modern Norway–Sweden border remained the border between Denmark–Norway and Sweden until the breakup of Denmark and Norway in 1814. The modern Denmark–Sweden border then became the border between the Union between Sweden and Norway and Denmark until the breakup of Sweden and Norway in 1905. It became a border of German-occupied Europe from 1940 to 1945 (Denmark was still a country although under practical control by Germany).
The Nordic Passport Union of 1958 removed passport checks at the border. However, custom checks remained in force between Denmark and other Nordic countries until the Schengen acquis of 2001. There was no land border with Denmark before July 2000 when the Øresund Bridge was opened, which had relaxed customs checks from the start.
With the European migrant crisis, Sweden re-introduced stricter border controls in November 2015. Since 4 January 2016, Sweden has required carriers to perform identity checks on the Danish side of the Denmark–Sweden border, while still keeping the border controls on the Swedish side.
As a reaction to the Swedish control, Denmark also strengthened its border controls at the German border.
Border crossings
The following routes (air travel not included) have public transport or roads between Denmark and Sweden:
- Frederikshavn–Göteborg, car ferry.
- Grenå–Varberg, car ferry.
- Helsingør–Helsingborg, car ferry (and train ferry 1892-1999).
- Copenhagen–Malmö, road and railway, the Øresund Bridge.
- Rønne–Ystad, car ferry.
References
- ↑ Kartsök och ortnamn
- ↑ Sweden-Denmark border checks to be extended, The Local, 7 January 2016. Denmark's border controls extended for third time The Local, 23 February 2016.
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