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Arriving at ArlandaNon-EU travellers

The EU Entry/Exit System at Arlanda: What Changes on Your First Arrival

Updated 3 min read

The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) changed what happens at a non-EU traveller's first crossing into the Schengen Area — rather than a passport stamp alone, first-time registration includes biometric data, fingerprints and a photo, taken at the border. If Arlanda is your first Schengen entry point since EES began, it's worth knowing what that adds to your arrival before you land.

This guide covers what happens at the booth, who's exempt, and how to plan your pickup around a process that can take longer than the passport check you might remember from before.

What happens at the booth

At a first entry under EES, a non-EU traveller who isn't exempt has their fingerprints and a photo registered alongside the usual passport check — a process that takes longer than a passport stamp alone did previously, particularly the first time, since there's no existing record to simply verify against. Once registered, a return crossing is generally faster, since the system can verify against the record already on file rather than creating a new one.

The specifics — exact process, current wait times, and which travellers are covered — are set and published by the European Commission's own EES information pages, not by us. Check the official EU EES site before you fly, particularly if this is genuinely your first Schengen crossing since the system came into effect, since guidance and rollout details can be updated.

Who's exempt

EES applies to non-EU nationals; EU and Schengen-area nationals, along with certain other categories with specific rights of free movement, generally aren't part of the same registration process. Whether you personally fall into an exempt category depends on your nationality and travel document, which is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming on the official EU EES site rather than assuming from general travel advice.

  • First-time non-EU entrants register fingerprints and a photo alongside the passport check
  • A later crossing is generally quicker, since the system verifies against an existing record
  • Check the official EU EES site for current details and whether you're exempt

Planning your pickup around it

Because your pickup time follows your flight's actual landing time, and free waiting time is built into every pickup once your driver has confirmed arrival, a longer-than-usual first-entry process is already accounted for — you don't need to change your booking or message anyone for a normal EES registration.

If you know in advance this is your first Schengen entry and want to be cautious, it's still worth building a bit of realistic extra time into your own expectations for the day, particularly if you're on a tight onward connection or a scheduled pickup elsewhere in the city.

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

What is the EU Entry/Exit System and does it affect me at Arlanda?

It's a biometric registration — fingerprints and a photo — for non-EU travellers at their first Schengen border crossing. If Arlanda is your first entry, it applies to you unless you fall into an exempt category; check the official EU EES site for current details.

Will EES registration make me miss my transfer driver?

No — your pickup time already follows your flight's actual landing time, and free waiting time on the pickup covers a longer-than-usual first-entry process.

Is EES faster on my second visit to Sweden?

Generally yes — once you're registered, a later crossing can verify against the existing record rather than creating a new one, though exact timing depends on the border itself.

Who is exempt from EES registration?

EU and Schengen-area nationals and certain other categories with free-movement rights are generally not part of the same process — check the official EU EES site to confirm your own status.

Where can I find the current, official information on EES?

The European Commission's EES information pages are the authoritative source — check them directly before you fly, especially for a first Schengen crossing.

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.
See your fixed priceSee the price list

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