Nordic Passport Union

Multilateral in force

INTRODUCTION

The Nordic Passport Union is an agreement that facilitates freedom of movement between the Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

The Nordic countries share a long history of international cooperation; prior to the Second World War, most Nordic nations permitted other Nordic citizens to travel without a passport. In the 1940s, several Nordic states abolished passport, visa, and work permit requirements for Nordic citizens in their domestic laws (Pedersen, Røed, and Wadensjö 2008). An international protocol on the matter was first adopted in 1952, allowing Nordic citizens to enter other Nordic states for up to three months without a travel document. Full freedom of movement was established through a second protocol in 1954, permitting Nordic citizens to reside in other Nordic states without a residence permit. Furthermore, the Nordic Labour Market Agreement of 1954 exempts Nordic citizens from the work permit requirement.

Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden were the founding members of the Nordic Passport Union. Iceland joined the Nordic Passport Union on 24 September 1965. The agreements have also applied to the Faroe Islands since 1 January 1961, but not to Greenland. However, in practice, Nordic citizens can enter and reside in Greenland without a residence permit under domestic law (Art. 1, in Danish).

Cooperation among the Nordic countries was further strengthened by the adoption of the Helsinki Agreement on cooperation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden in 1962, among others, which provided for equal treatment of Nordic citizens across all Nordic states. Unlike other free movement regimes, the Nordic Passport Union arrangement is currently implemented through soft-law instruments and policy coordination (e.g. recommendations adopted by the Nordic Council and decisions made by the Nordic Council of Ministers). Consequently, there are some discrepancies in the implementation of the free movement regime.

For example, Finland exempts Nordic citizens from the requirement to possess sufficient financial means if they are not employed and wish to bring their family members, a condition that is, however, imposed on other European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) citizens as well as third-country nationals (Art. 50a Aliens Act). Other Nordic countries do not follow this approach.

It should be noted that Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, and Sweden are member states of the European Union (EU). Meanwhile, Norway and Iceland are part of the European Economic Area (EEA). Consequently, the EU/EEA free movement regimes also apply to the Nordic countries. Nevertheless, the Nordic free movement regime has maintained its significance as the requirements for establishment are more lenient than those applicable to EU/EEA citizens.

MEMBER STATES

DENMARK (1954-current) (including the Faroe Islands (1961-current))
FINLAND (1954-current)
ICELAND (1965-current)
NORWAY (1954-current)
SWEDEN (1954-current)

HEADQUARTERS

Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, Denmark

DATE OF CREATION

22 May 1954

TIMELINE

1952	As of 14 July, Nordic citizens were no longer required to hold a travel document when entering another Nordic state.
1954	A protocol introduced Freedom of movement between Nordic states by exempting Nordic citizens from the requirement to apply for a residence or work permit in another Nordic state.
1961	The Protocol is applied to the Faroe Islands with effect from 1 January.
1962	The 1962 Agreement between Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden concerning Co-Operation establishes a framework for the governance of Nordic cooperation. It entered into force on 1 July.
1965	Iceland accedes to the Protocol with effect from 24 September.
1982	The Nordic Labour Agreement of 1954 is replaced by the Agreement on the common Nordic Labour Market of 1982 on 6 March. It entered into force on 1 August 1983.

KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Protocol concerning the abolition of passports for travel between Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, Stockholm, 14 July 1952. Entered into force retroactively on 12 July 1952 [Protokoll Angaende Passfriheten Vid Resor Mellan Sverige, Danmark, Finland Och Norge] [English].

Protocol concerning the exemption of nationals of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden from the obligation to have a passport or residence permit while resident in a Scandinavian country other than their own, Copenhagen, 22 May 1954. Entered into force on 14 July 1954 [Protokol Vedrorende Fritagelse For Statsborgere I Danmark, Finland, Norge Og Sverige For At Vere I Besiddelse Af Pas Og Opholdstilladelse Under Ophold I Andet Nordisk Land End Hjemlandet] [English].

Agreement between Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden Concerning Co-Operation, Helsinki, 23 March 1962. Entered into force on 1 July 1962 [samarbetsöverenskommelse mellan Danmark, Finland, Island, Norge och Sverige] [English consolidated version].

Agreement (with Protocol) concerning a common labour market, Copenhagen, 22 May 1954. Entered into force on 2 July 1954 and ceased to apply 1 August 1983 [Overenskomst Mellem Danmark, Finland, Norge Og Sverige Om Falles Arbejdsmarked].

Agreement concerning a common Nordic labour market (with Protocol), Copenhagen, 6 March 1982. Entered into force on 1 August 1983 [Overenskomst om fælles nordisk arbejdsmarked].