Driving

Whether you can keep driving on the licence you already have depends entirely on where that licence is from — and for most non-EU newcomers, there's an actual countdown clock running from the day you register in Sweden, which catches people out if they don't know about it.

• EU/EEA licence: stays valid in Sweden indefinitely, as long as it remains valid in the issuing country — no exchange needed.
• Non-EU licence: valid for up to 1 year after you become folkbokförd (registered resident) in Sweden. After that it stops being valid here.
• Only licences from the UK, Faroe Islands, Switzerland or Japan can be exchanged for a Swedish one afterwards (via Transportstyrelsen, processed in Örebro, ~375 kr fee). Everyone else must pass the full Swedish theory and practical test before the 1-year window runs out.

A handful of Swedish driving rules are stricter, or simply different, from what drivers from other countries are used to — worth knowing before you get behind the wheel, not after a fine.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.2‰ (0.02%) — effectively one beer is already over the line. Enforcement is strict.
• Headlights must be on at all times, day and night, all year.
• Default speed limits: roughly 30–50 km/h in built-up areas, 70–100 km/h outside, up to 120 km/h on the fastest motorways — always follow the posted sign, not this rule of thumb. Automatic speed cameras are common.
• Winter tyres (vinterdäck) are mandatory whenever winter road conditions apply, roughly 1 December – 31 March by default (conditions, not the calendar, technically govern the exact requirement).

Two of Sweden's biggest cities charge drivers extra for entering the city centre at busy times — there's no toll booth to stop at, so it's easy to not realise you've been charged until the bill arrives.

• Stockholm and Gothenburg both charge a trängselskatt (congestion tax) automatically by camera — no barrier, no ticket, the bill (or charge to a registered payment method) follows by post/invoice.
• The Öresund and other major bridges have their own toll systems (e.g. BroBizz for the Öresund Bridge to Denmark).

Whether you bring a car from your home country or buy one after arriving, there are Sweden-specific checks and costs to know about before you commit money.

• Importing a car from outside the EU involves customs duty and vehicle tax — check with Tullverket and Transportstyrelsen before assuming it's worth it.
• Buying used: check on Blocket, verify the besiktning (roadworthiness inspection) status and confirm no outstanding debt is registered against the vehicle via Transportstyrelsen.