Bed Bugs were not always common to Northern Europe as they need heat to survive and the Northern Parts of Europe being typically cold was non conducive to their survival.  However, with the advent of technology came central heating for houses and once that happened their spread across the whole of Europe was unstoppable. 

To check for Bed Bugs it is best to pull the entire bed away from the wall and check behind the head board, dark smears on the wall behind the head board and on the rear of the Head board will be faecal deposits of your own blood.