The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

How do I exchange my non-EU driving license in Sweden?

Are you driving in Sweden on a Non EU driving license? Watch out for the one-year-limit! Driving licenses from a non-EU country are generally valid in Sweden, if they are valid in the country where they were issued. There is, however, an important limit to this validity: a non-EU driving license is generally valid for just one year.

This means that your Non EU driving license will loose its validity, when you have been registered – so called folkbokförd with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) for a year.

After the initial 12 months, you must acquire a EU or Swedish drivers license. Otherwise you expose yourself to risk of having to pay a fine of 3000 SEK and become barred from getting a Swedish license for two years.

So, make sure to settle your driving license situation before the validity of your current driving license expires.

Note, however the validity of a Non EU driving license can be extended for longer if you can prove that you are in Sweden for a limited period of time (for e.g. studies or work).

So, if you hold a driving license from the US, Canada, Brazil, Syria, Iran, India, Thailand, South Africa or any country outside of the EU, be prepared to register to get a new Swedish driving license before the 1-year limit if you want to continue to drive legally in Sweden.

How do I exchange a driving license in Sweden from a non-EU country?

A driving license issued outside the EU can generally not be replaced by a Swedish driving license. The only exception to this, are driving licenses issued in United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Switzerland or Japan. In order to exchange a driving license from these 4 countries, you must:

  • Have a valid driver’s license from Switzerland or Japan.
  • Permanently reside in Sweden which means you must be registered with the Swedish Tax Agency  (Skatteverket).
  • Meet the personal and medical requirements for a license in Sweden.

A final note on car insurance

If you own a car in Sweden you need to have a traffic insurance, also called a third part liability insurance (trafikförsäkring) to be allowed to drive the car. It covers injuries and damage resulting from use of the car but it does not compensate damage you cause to your own car or other property you own.

Getting a car insurance however is up to you, although it is generally recommended to get insurance for your car. It is usually a rather reasonable monthly expense which will protect you from the sometimes insane costs of getting a car fixed, towed or any other joyous car malfunction. There are a lot of car insurances around so make sure to shop around before deciding. Some options include:

  • Hedvig* – aims to disrupt the old insurance industry which they do by offering a fully mobile based insurance so that you get insurance that is fast, simple and fair.
  • Ica insurance* –  has a fixed price and no price increase for the first five years if you are claim-free. Are highly rated by the Consumers’ Insurance Agency.

Further reading