Driving in Sweden from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Sweden? You need:
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag GB stickers are no longer valid: remove or cover them
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Still have an old paper licence? You may need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint) Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- A passport for everyone in the car See the passport rules for Sweden below
- A warning triangle, and a hi-vis vest is a good idea The triangle must go out if you break down on a road with a limit over 50 km/h
- Dipped headlights on at all times, day and night Set them for driving on the right: many newer cars do this from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
- Winter tyres in winter conditions from 1 December to 31 March
- To expect bills for congestion tax and bridge charges after your trip They're sent automatically through EPASS24. See below
🛂 Your border check happens before Sweden
Driving through France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark? You enter the Schengen area when you cross the Channel, so your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, at Dover, Folkestone or your arrival port. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave.
Check your passport for Sweden →Congestion tax and bridge charges
Stockholm and Gothenburg charge a congestion tax, and three bridges charge a small toll. They apply to UK cars too. There are no booths: cameras read your number plate, and the bill is sent to the car's owner through EPASS24.
Øresund bridge (Copenhagen to Malmö): DKK 470 one way for a car up to 6 metres at the toll station, or DKK 420 booked online, in 2026.
Speed limits in Sweden
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways | 110 km/h≈ 68 mph |
| Roads outside towns (unless signed) | 70 km/h≈ 43 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
Signs often set other limits in steps of 10 km/h, from 30 km/h in towns up to 120 km/h on some motorways, so watch for them. Speeding fines start at SEK 1,500 and go up to SEK 4,000.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Very low drink-drive limit
0.2 per mille for all drivers, much lower than the UK. The only safe amount is none.
🦌 Report wildlife collisions
If you hit a moose, deer, wild boar or other large animal, you must call 112 straight away and mark the spot, even if the animal has gone. Watch out especially at dawn and dusk.
💡 Headlights on at all times
Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive. No lights in the dark or poor visibility is a SEK 1,200 fine.
📵 Don't hold your phone
Holding a phone, or a sat-nav, while driving is banned: a SEK 1,500 fine. Hands-free is allowed.
📡 Radar detectors banned
Owning or using a radar or laser detector is illegal.
👶 Child seats
Children shorter than 135 cm must use a child seat, booster or other child restraint.
❄️ Winter tyres 1 Dec – 31 Mar
From 1 December to 31 March, whenever there's snow, ice, slush or frost on the road, cars must have winter tyres with the Alpine (snowflake) symbol or studded tyres, with at least 3 mm of tread. This applies to UK cars too. Without them it's a SEK 2,000 fine.
Studded tyres are allowed from 1 October to 15 April, and must be on all wheels. Some Stockholm streets, such as Hornsgatan, ban them. In winter, carry warm clothes, a blanket and a snow shovel.
Low-emission zones
Stockholm's Hornsgatan is a low-emission zone for cars: petrol cars must be Euro 5 or newer and diesel cars Euro 6. Crossing it is allowed. Driving along it in an older car is a SEK 1,000 fine.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire.
- Turn on your hazard lights, place the warning triangle at least 100 m behind the car, then get out and away from the road, behind the barrier if there is one.
- Report large animals on or near the road to Trafikverket on 0771-921 921.
Hiring a car in Sweden instead
- Hire companies often set a minimum age and want a year's driving experience.
- Ask how congestion tax and bridge charges will be passed on to you, and check the car has winter tyres in winter.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
Do I have to pay congestion tax in Sweden with a UK car?
Yes. Stockholm and Gothenburg charge a congestion tax on weekdays from 6am to 6.29pm, and it applies to foreign cars. There are no booths: the bill is sent to the car's owner through EPASS24. In Stockholm it's up to SEK 135 a day, and in Gothenburg up to SEK 60 a day.
How much is the Øresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden?
For a car up to 6 metres, DKK 470 one way at the toll station or DKK 420 booked online (2026 prices). Regular travellers can save with an ØresundGO agreement.
Do I need winter tyres in Sweden?
From 1 December to 31 March, whenever there's snow, ice, slush or frost on the road, cars must have winter tyres with the Alpine (snowflake) symbol or studded tyres, with at least 3 mm of tread. This applies to UK cars too. No winter tyres in winter conditions is a SEK 2,000 fine.
What is the drink-drive limit in Sweden?
0.2 per mille in the blood (0.10 mg per litre of breath) for all drivers, much lower than the UK. The only safe amount is none.
Do I need headlights on during the day in Sweden?
Yes. Dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive, day and night.
What should I do if I hit a moose or deer in Sweden?
You must call 112 straight away and mark the spot, even if the animal seems unhurt or has run off. Not reporting it is an offence. Large animals are a real risk, especially at dawn and dusk.
Do I need an international driving permit for Sweden?
No, not with a UK photocard licence.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Sweden travel advice, road travel · International driving permits · UK stickers · Insurance abroad
- Sweden: Congestion taxes (Transportstyrelsen) · Bridge charges · Winter tyres · Traffic offences (Police) · Wildlife collisions · Official fines · Stockholm low-emission zones · Breakdowns (Trafikverket) · Øresund bridge prices
- EU: Your Europe: road rules in Sweden