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.
If you need to exchange driving license in Sweden, it is important to know that your non-EU driving licence will lose its validity once you have been registered (folkbokförd) with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) for one year.
After the initial 12 months, you must acquire an EU or Swedish driver’s license. Otherwise, you risk 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, that 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 example, 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 apply for a Swedish driving license before the one-year limit if you want to continue to drive legally in Sweden.
How do I exchange a non-EU driving license in Sweden?
A driving license issued outside the EU can generally not be replaced by a Swedish driving license. The only exception are driving licenses issued in United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Switzerland or Japan. In order to exchange a driving license from these four countries, you must:
- Hold a valid driving licence issued in the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, 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 traffic insurance, also called 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 cover damage you cause to your own car or other property you own.
Getting additional 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 service 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. They are highly rated by the Consumers’ Insurance Agency.
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The Career Sweden Team brings together experts in recruitment, communication, and relocation, all working toward one goal: helping international talents find their place in Sweden. We create clear, reliable guides and articles about Sweden’s job market, recruitment, and work culture — as well as practical, fact-based resources on everything that shapes life and career here.
