Arriving at Arlanda from the UK Since Brexit
Updated 3 min read
British travellers used to breeze through EU airports on the strength of an EU passport now go through the same non-EU process as any other third-country traveller — a change that catches out UK visitors who haven't flown to the EU in a few years and still expect the old fast lane. Arlanda is straightforward once you know the current rules; it's just a different process than it used to be.
This covers what to expect at passport control as a UK traveller, the EES registration step, and passport validity rules worth double-checking before you fly.
On this page
Passport control as a non-EU arrival
UK passport holders now queue in the non-EU/non-Schengen lane at Arlanda rather than the EU fast lane — a genuine change from before Brexit, and one that can add time to the arrival process compared to older experience of EU travel. It's a routine check, just no longer the quick swipe-through it once was.
EES registration
The EU has introduced an Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers, which involves a photo and fingerprints at the border on a first registration — this applies to UK travellers as it does to other non-EU nationalities. Official EU and UK government sources have the current detail on exactly how and when this applies, and are worth checking before you fly since the system and its rollout can change.
Check your passport validity rules
Since Brexit, UK passports are subject to Schengen area validity rules that differ from the old EU-member requirements — broadly, your passport generally needs to be less than 10 years old and have enough validity remaining beyond your travel dates. The exact current rules are set by the EU and enforced at the border, so checking official UK government or EU travel advice before you fly, rather than relying on memory of pre-Brexit rules, is the safe approach.
- UK passport holders now use the non-EU lane at Arlanda passport control
- EES registration (photo and fingerprints) applies to UK travellers as non-EU arrivals
- Check current passport validity rules on official UK or EU sources before flying — pre-Brexit rules no longer apply
The rest of the arrival
None of this changes how your pickup works. Your flight is tracked from booking, and on airport pickups the free waiting window is built to cover the extra time a border process like this can genuinely take — there's no need to rush through passport control worrying about your driver.
What every Förare booking includes
The fixed price you see before booking is the price on your receipt — 6% VAT included, whole car, not per person.
- Flight tracked — pickup follows your live arrival
- 45 minutes free waiting, from your driver's confirmed arrival
- No terminal fee
- No surge pricing, ever
- Free cancellation up to 12 hours
Questions people ask before booking
Do UK travellers still use the EU fast lane at Arlanda?
No — since Brexit, UK passport holders go through the non-EU/non-Schengen passport control process, the same as other third-country nationals.
What is EES and does it apply to UK travellers?
It's the EU's Entry/Exit System for non-EU arrivals, involving a photo and fingerprints on a first registration. It applies to UK travellers. Check official EU or UK government sources for the current detail.
Are there new passport validity rules for UK travellers to Sweden?
Yes — Schengen area rules generally require a passport under 10 years old with sufficient validity remaining. Check official UK government or EU travel advice before you fly.
Will extra border checks make me late for my pickup?
No — the free waiting window on airport pickups is built to cover exactly this kind of extra time, and your flight is tracked from booking regardless.
Where can I find the current rules before I travel?
Official UK government travel advice and EU travel information are the accurate, up-to-date sources, since these rules can change.
Book your Arlanda pickup
Enter the address and you will see the price for the whole car before anything is paid. No account needed.
- One fixed price for the whole car, 6% VAT included, shown before you pay.
- 45 minutes of free waiting on every pickup, from the moment your driver confirms arrival.
- Cancel free of charge more than 12 hours before pickup, refunded in full.
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