Background & Purpose

Some people living permanently in Sweden travel to other European countries to exchange non-EU driving licences for EU licences, and then use those to easily get a Swedish driving licence. The Swedish parliament decided to close this loophole.

The Decision

The Swedish parliament approved the government's proposal to ban the exchange of certain foreign driving licences, and blocked alternative proposals from the opposition.

Does this affect you?

  • Drivers with non-EU licences: They will generally lose the right to exchange an EU-exchanged foreign licence for a Swedish driving licence.
  • New residents in Sweden: Must follow stricter regulations if they hold driving licences originally issued outside the EU and EEA.

In Practice

  • It will generally no longer be allowed to exchange an EU driving licence originating from outside the EU/EEA for a Swedish driving licence.
  • Exceptions apply only if the driver has held a corresponding licence within the EU/EEA for at least five years before moving permanently to Sweden.
  • Authorities will reject routine exchange requests for licences tied to countries outside the EU/EEA.
  • The new regulations take effect on May 1, 2026.