In a rare move to safeguard its borders, Norway announced on Saturday that it would implement temporary border checks with its Western European neighbors. This decision follows an alarming increase in the nation’s terror threat level, spurred by escalating concerns over potential attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets.
The new measures, which will remain in place until October 22, follow a heightened alert issued by Norway’s Police Security Service (PST) on October 8. The agency escalated the national threat level from “moderate” to “high”—its second-highest designation on a five-tier scale—citing “a challenging threat picture” that has intensified in recent weeks.
Norway, a member of the Schengen zone but outside the European Union, shares borders with Sweden and Finland, both of which are also part of the ID-check-free travel area. Police clarified that while border checks will be active, not all travelers will be screened, aiming to minimize any disruption.
The new policy reflects Norway’s commitment to swift, preventive action amid rising security concerns across Europe. As Norway braces for the coming weeks, the temporary controls represent a proactive step to safeguard the nation amid an increasingly complex security landscape.
