16. Motor vehicles
Content
16.1 Acquiring a motor vehicle
Missions, diplomats and career consular officers may acquire motor vehicles duty-free and VAT-free for the needs of the mission or for personal use. Depending on how a motor vehicle is acquired, different rules and procedures apply as described below. Members of the administrative and technical staff may import motor vehicles duty-free and VAT-free during the first 12-months of their notified installation.
New vehicles purchased by a registered importer (including general agents), or new vehicles purchased and manufactured by commercial manufacturers in Sweden are considered to have been purchased in Sweden.
Missions are entitled to purchase as many motor vehicles as they need VAT-free. Diplomats and career consular officers who are not Swedish nationals or permanent residents are entitled to purchase one or, if they have families, two motor vehicles, VAT-free. Members of the administrative and technical staff are not entitled to purchase motor vehicles VAT-free, see:
Second-hand motor vehicles purchased from Swedish car dealers need to be exempted from VAT in the same way as new motor vehicles. Second-hand motor vehicles purchased from private sellers are already VAT-free.
An email should be sent on behalf of the mission, diplomat or career consular officer to the Protocol Department at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs with a request for a certificate for VAT-free purchase of a motor vehicle. The certificate is valid for three months. The original certificate should be given to the car dealer.
When purchasing or bringing a motor vehicle from another EU country, the following steps must be taken.
1. Application for VAT exemption when purchasing a motor vehicle from another EU country
Missions are entitled to purchase as many motor vehicles as they need VAT-free in Sweden or in another EU country. Diplomats and career consular officers who are not Swedish nationals or permanent residents are entitled to purchase one or, if they have families, two motor vehicles VAT-free in Sweden or in another EU country. Members of the administrative and technical staff are not entitled to purchase motor vehicles VAT-free, see:
Second-hand motor vehicles purchased from car dealers in the EU need to be exempted from VAT in the same way as new motor vehicles. Second-hand motor vehicles purchased from private sellers are already VAT-free, and do not need to be exempted.
When intending to purchase a motor vehicle in another EU country VAT-free, the mission, diplomat or career consular officer should send the form VAT and Excise Duty Exemption Certificate, duly completed with the seal of the mission and signature of the head of mission, to the Protocol Department for endorsement.
VAT and Excise Duty Exemption Certificate
The endorsed form is to be presented to the seller of the motor vehicle in the other EU country. The motor vehicle can then be brought into Sweden.
2. Verification of origin
When bringing a motor vehicle from another EU country, an application to the Swedish Transport Agency for verification of origin must be completed as soon as the motor vehicle arrives in Sweden. The following should be attached to the application: original proof of previous registration (if applicable) and receipt or other proof of ownership of the motor vehicle. Approval of the verification of origin must be received before the vehicle may be tested by a motor vehicle inspection company.
Swedish Transport Agency: Verification of Origin - external website,
3. Registration inspection
When a motor vehicle arrives in Sweden it must undergo a registration inspection and a technical identity verification by a Swedish accredited motor vehicle inspection company.
Swedish Transport Agency: Motor vehicle inspection - external website,
A motor vehicle may be used for a maximum of seven days before it undergoes a registration inspection. However, this is only possible if the motor vehicle has a valid registration in another country. Otherwise, a temporary registration might be necessary. More information on temporary registration is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Temporary registration - external website,
During registration inspection, the motor vehicle will be checked to ensure that it meets environmental and traffic safety requirements. However, a vehicle that is brought in by a mission or international organisation, or a diplomatic agent, career consular officer, administrative and technical staff or consular employee who is not Swedish citizen or permanent resident of Sweden is entitled to certain relaxations regarding the technical design of the vehicle. Please contact a vehicle inspection company to find out what this would mean for specific vehicle models.
When importing a motor vehicle, i.e. when bringing a motor vehicle to Sweden from a country outside the EU, the following steps must be taken.
1. Application for duty-free import
The mission, diplomat or career consular officer should send the applicable version of the ‘Application for duty-free import’ customs form, duly completed and in duplicate, to the Protocol Department for endorsement. The make, price/value, import number and chassis number of the vehicle should be indicated on the form.
Members of the administrative and technical staff may import motor vehicles duty-free and VAT-free during the first 12-months of their notified installation.
Application for duty-free import form for career consular officers - external website,
The Protocol Department will return the endorsed form to the mission. The endorsed form is then to be presented at customs clearance. The customs office will indicate on the form that the vehicle is classified as a ‘diplomatic vehicle’. The same procedure applies for second-hand vehicles.
2. Verification of origin
An application to the Swedish Transport Agency for verification of origin must be completed as soon as the motor vehicle arrives in Sweden. The following should be attached to the application: original proof of previous registration (if applicable), receipt or other proof of ownership of the motor vehicle, and proof of customs clearance. Approval of the verification of origin must be received before the vehicle may be tested by a motor vehicle inspection company. Information on verification of origin is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Verification of Origin - external website,
3. Registration inspection
When a motor vehicle arrives in Sweden it must undergo a registration inspection and a technical identity verification by an accredited Swedish motor vehicle inspection company. Information on registration inspection is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Motor vehicle inspection - external website,
A motor vehicle may be used for a maximum of seven days before it undergoes a registration inspection. However, this is only possible if the motor vehicle has a valid registration in another country. Otherwise, a temporary registration might be necessary. Information on temporary registration is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Recognised organisations - external website,
During registration inspection, the motor vehicle will be checked to ensure that it meets environmental and traffic safety requirements. However, a vehicle that is imported by a mission or international organisation, or a diplomatic agent, career consular officer, administrative and technical staff or consular employee who is not Swedish citizen or permanent resident of Sweden a mission, is entitled to certain relaxations regarding the technical design of the vehicle. Please contact a vehicle inspection company to find out what this would mean for specific vehicle models.
Third-party liability insurance is compulsory and must be taken out with a company based in Sweden. Failure to do so will be reported to Swedish Motor Insurers, which has the right to charge the vehicle owner for the period not covered by insurance (the longer the period, the higher the charge, visit the Swedish Motor Ìnsurers website).
Swedish Motor Insurers - external website,
Proof of insurance will be sent to the Swedish Transport Agency directly by the insurance company for registration. Until registration has been finalised, insurance coverage may be temporary. For vehicles undergoing customs processing, temporary insurance policies can, if desired, be purchased at Swedish Customs.Information on compulsory road traffic insurance in Sweden is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Insurance - external website,
Missions, diplomats and career consular officers are not exempted from tax on traffic insurance premiums, as it is the insurer, and not the policy-holder, who is liable to pay the insurance premium tax under Section 3 of the Tax on traffic insurance premiums act (2007:460). Nor are they entitled to any refund of the premium by virtue of Swedish tax legislation.
The owner of a motor vehicle is required to register it. In order to obtain diplomatic licence plates, the motor vehicle must be registered and have received the regular licence plates, and thus also be insured.
The Swedish Transport Agency carries out registration upon receipt of the approval of the registration inspection from the motor vehicle inspection company and insurance notification from the insurance company. The Swedish Transport Agency will then assign a registration number to the motor vehicle and issue regular, white licence plates. Upon receipt of registration certificate and plates, registration must be finalised by the Swedish Transport Agency.
Motor vehicles that are registered in the name of a mission or an international organisation, or in the name of a diplomatic agent, career consular officer, administrative and technical staff or consular employee who is not a Swedish citizen or permanent resident of Sweden carry blue diplomatic licence plates. To obtain diplomatic licence plates, the motor vehicle must have first received the regular licence plates, and thus also be insured.
To request diplomatic licence plates, the mission must send a note verbale to the Protocol Department, containing the registration number of the regular white licence plates and the make and model of the motor vehicle. A new registration number will be assigned to the motor vehicle according to the codes found in Annex 1 to the Swedish Transport Agency's regulation. The plates will be delivered to the owner after receipt of payment.
Annex 1 to the Swedish Transport Agency's regulation (in Swedish) - external website,
It is possible to obtain diplomatic licence plates for a leased car if the duration of the leasing agreement is at least one year. A copy of the contract must be attached to the application for diplomatic licence plates.
The blue diplomatic plates replace the white plates originally issued by the Swedish Transport Agency. Note that in order to obtain the diplomatic licence plates, the motor vehicle must have been registered and have received the regular licence plates. The white plates should be kept by the owner. as they must be returned to the Swedish Transport Agency (address: Transportstyrelsen, Trafikregistret, 701 88 Örebro) immediately upon the export, transfer or sale of the vehicle, or its dismantling.
All motor vehicles registered in Sweden must, periodically, undergo a roadworthiness test in order to maintain their registration. The tests are undertaken to ensure that a vehicle has the necessary equipment and meets environmental and traffic safety standards. Regardless of where or when the motor vehicle was purchased, it must undergo the motor vehicle test regularly. The owner is personally responsible for ensuring that the vehicle has been tested.
Swedish Transport Agency: Motor vehicle inspection - external website,
Diplomatic agents, career consular officers, administrative and technical staff and consular employees who are not Swedish citizens or permanent residents are exempt from motor vehicle tax and the applicable congestion tax in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
However, congestion tax will be charged as long as the vehicle carries regular, white licence plates, i.e. until the vehicle has been registered with blue diplomatic licence plates. The Swedish Transport Agency is unable to reverse decisions on congestion tax. If congestion tax has been issued before diplomatic licence plates have been received, or in the case of an undue demand for payment of congestion tax, it is possible to request a review by the Swedish Tax Agency via post (Skatteverket, Trängselskattesektionen, 701 87 Örebro) or email ([email protected]). Request for a review must arrive at the Swedish Tax Agency no later than 60 days after the decision.
Please note that the congestion tax must be paid even if a review is requested. A request for a review should specify the vehicle’s registration number, the date of the decision, the reason for requesting a review and the name and address of the owner.
Applicable rules on driving licenses in Sweden are set out under the Swedish driving licence act and the Swedish driving license ordinance.
Swedish Transport Agency - external website,
Staff members of embassies or consulates and their family members who are not Swedish citizens or permanent residents are required to hold a driving licence that is valid in the country of issuance. If the license is not designed in accordance with either of the international conventions on road traffic signed in Geneva on 19 September 1949 or in Vienna on 8 November 1968, and has not been issued in English, French, German, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian, the licence is only valid together with a certified translation into one of these languages. A driving licence without a photograph of the license holder is only valid together with an identity document with a photograph. A Swedish driving licence is generally not necessary for individuals who are not registered in the Swedish population register, as is the case for most staff members of embassies or consulates and their family members.
Different rules apply for individuals who are registered in the Swedish population register, like most officials of international organisations and their family members. Driving licences that are issued in countries outside of the EEA are not valid if the holder of the driving licence has been registered in the Swedish population register for more than one year. The one-year rule does not apply to driving licences issued within the EEA. The Swedish Transport Agency may under certain circumstances grant an exception from the one-year rule and decide that a driving licence issued in a country outside the EEA is valid for a longer period than one year. The Transport Agency makes an assessment in each individual case based on the information in the application and decides whether an exception should be made.
There are no special forms for applying for an exception from the one-year rule. Applications can be made in English or Swedish and should include:
- a letter from the applicant with a description of the purpose of the stay in Sweden, specifying the applicant's personal identity number, name and contact details of the applicant,
- a copy of the foreign driving license (if the driving license is not issued in English, German, French, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish, it is also necessary to attach a certified translation of the driving licence), and
- a contract of employment from the international organisation in Sweden, which should specify the length of the intended posting Sweden.
Applications for exceptions should be sent to Transportstyrelsen, 701 97 Örebro.
Further information on driving licences, including on how to exchange a driving licence from an EEA country or how to obtain a Swedish driving licence is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Driving licences - external website,
Questions relating to driving licences in Sweden may also be directed to the Swedish Transport Agency via the following telephone number: 0771-81 81 81.
The driver of a motor vehicle is expected to follow all Swedish traffic rules. The same applies to mission staff in accordance with the Vienna Conventions. Below are a few examples of traffic rules to follow.
Seat belts and child seats
The driver of a motor vehicle, and all passengers, must use seat belts at all times when driving.
All children with a height below 135 cm should use an appropriate child safety seat. Until the child as reached four years of age, they should be transported in a rear-facing child safety seat. If a child safety seat is used in the front seat, the air bag must be deactivated. Make sure that the child safety seat is valid in the EU according to EU directives and ECE regulation 44-03, or the latest version.
More information on car safety for children is available on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Parking rules
Diplomatic missions are expected to follow parking rules and pay for any parking tickets received. More information on parking tickets can be found on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Parking tickets - external website,
Speeding and drunk driving
See section 11 for information on speed violations and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, medicines or drugs.
From 1 December to 31 March special requirements apply regarding which type of tyre certain vehicles must have when there are wintry conditions on the road. Studded tyres are permitted on Swedish roads between 1 October and 15 April. It should be noted that motor vehicles with studded tyres are not permitted on certain streets in Stockholm, e.g. Kungsgatan, Hornsgatan and Fleminggatan.
Further information on winter tyres can be found on the Swedish Transport Agency website.
If ownership of a motor vehicle purchased VAT-free in Sweden or another EU country, or imported duty- and tax-free from a country outside the EU, is transfered within two years of its purchase or import, the person who was granted exemption must pay VAT and/or duty. The calculation of the VAT and/or duty will be based on the value of the vehicle at the time of transer. If the person who was granted exemption is relocated to another posting outside Sweden, transfer of ownership without having to pay VAT and/or duty is permitted if the person in question has owned the vehicle for at least six months from the time of its purchase or import. If this is the case, the transfer of ownership must take place in close connection to and no earlier than three months before the planned time of the relocation. No VAT or customs duty has to be paid if the person who was granted exemption is deceased or if ownership is transferred to another person who is entitled to the same exemption.
The Protocol Department must be notified of a transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle.
The Swedish Tax Agency must be notified of a transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle purchased VAT-free that takes place within two years from the time of the purchase.
More information is available on the Swedish Custioms Website.
When exporting a motor vehicle, i.e. when bringing it to a country outside the EU, Swedish Customs must be notified, either at the customs office when the motor vehicle leaves Sweden or by a forwarding agent.
Sweden does not impose any restrictions or fees on exports. However, the country of destination may impose its own import restrictions, requirements or fees.
A car that is no longer in use can be dismantled by handing it over to a collection point or authorised car dismantler free of charge. For the procedure when dismantling a motor vehicle, please visit the Swedish Transport Agency website.
Swedish Transport Agency: Deregister the vehicle - external website,
The Swedish Transport Agency must be notified of a transfer of ownership within ten days of the transfer, using the last registration certificate issued.
Swedish Transport Agency: Change of ownership - external website,
When leaving Sweden with the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle must be de-registered with the Swedish Transport Agency.
For motor vehicles that are not in use, an off-road notification can be sent to the Swedish Transport Agency. When an off-road notification is made for a vehicle, it remains in the register but cannot be operated and thus exempt from paying vehicle tax and having traffic insurance.
A motor vehicle that is dismantled will be deregistered.
The blue diplomatic licence plates must be returned to the Swedish Transport Agency (address: Transportstyrelsen, Trafikregistret, 701 88 Örebro) upon transfer of ownership, export or dismantling. It is possible to drive the motor vehicle back to the home country and return the blue diplomatic licence plates upon return there.
Shortcuts
Contact
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Visiting address Gustav Adolfs torg 1
Address 103 39 STOCKHOLM
email to Protocol Department
