Toll in Sweden
What is a toll (obligation)?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. This is known as a toll obligation. But what does that mean? Toll fees are charged for the use of many motorways and expressways as well as tunnels and bridges. The money collected through tolls is invested, for example, in the road network. This ensures a smooth journey on your way to your holiday destination. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: Construction and maintenance of roads and motorways
Road safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent transport systems or toll gantries
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce emissions
How is the toll collected in Sweden?
In Sweden, there is no general toll for cars and no nationwide toll system. However, toll fees are charged for certain special toll routes. These special toll routes include various tunnels in Sweden. In addition, Sweden charges a city toll for certain cities (Stockholm and Gothenburg).
Special toll
The special toll routes include the Øresund Bridge, the Sundsvall Bridge, the Motala Bridge and the Skuru Bridge. Since the special toll in Sweden has so far applied exclusively to bridges, it is often referred to as a bridge toll. The payment options vary depending on the bridge.
Øresund Bridge
The Øresund Bridge connects the Swedish city of Malmö with the Danish capital Copenhagen. Payment is possible at the toll station using cash, credit card or a transponder (electronic transmitter device with a contract). You can also purchase an online ticket for the bridge and thus avoid stopping at the toll station. In addition, you can buy a combined ticket if you would like to use not only the bridge but also the ferry. More information about the combined ticket is available, for example, on the following website about the Øresund Bridge.
Use the blue lane (self-service) to pay by credit card and the yellow lane (staffed toll station) to pay by cash or credit card. If you travel to Sweden frequently, it may be worthwhile to take out an annual subscription (ØresundGO), as this allows you to use the bridge at a lower cost. As part of the contract, you receive a transponder, which automatically deducts the toll fee. If you have the transponder, you must use the green lane.
Sundsvall Bridge, Motala Bridge and Skuru Bridge
For these bridges, you do not need to pay the toll fees on site. Instead, the license plate is automatically recorded, the vehicle owner is identified and an invoice is issued. For foreign vehicles, identification is carried out using Epass24. After registering for an Epass24 account, you can then pay the toll fees. The fees are collected all year round, around the clock, and apply to cars up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. Motorcycles are exempt from the toll obligation.
City toll: Stockholm and Gothenburg
In these two city centres, a city toll is charged on weekdays. Motor vehicles up to 14 t gross vehicle weight are subject to the toll. Motorcycles, buses and emergency vehicles are exempt from the city toll. The amount of the toll fee can vary depending on the time of day. In addition, the fee amount in Stockholm also varies depending on the season. When entering the toll zones, an automatic license plate recognition takes place. The vehicle owner then receives an invoice for the toll fee at the end of the month (by post). Here too, the following applies: foreign vehicles are notified by Epass24. Remember to register at Epass24. Please note that you must pay the toll fee by the specified invoice date, otherwise additional fees will apply.
Stockholm
Stockholm's city toll covers the city centre and the Essingeleden city centre bypass. You can recognise the toll stations by the sign "Betalstation". The city toll is charged from Monday to Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:29 p.m. Weekends, public holidays (sometimes also the day before a public holiday) and the last three weeks of July are toll-free.
Gothenburg
In Gothenburg, a city toll is only charged in parts of the city centre. Here too, the toll stations are marked with "Betalstation". Please note that in the Backa area, between toll stations 17 and 21, only transit traffic is subject to the toll, while longer stays in this area are not. The city toll is charged from Monday to Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:29 p.m. As in Stockholm, no toll is charged on weekends and public holidays (sometimes also the day before a public holiday). Unlike in Stockholm, however, the whole of July is toll-free in Gothenburg.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
We wish you a good trip and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ about your trip to Sweden
Answers to the most common questions on this topic.
Is there a general toll requirement for cars in Sweden?
No, there is no nationwide toll for cars on motorways or expressways in Sweden. Most roads can be used free of charge. However, toll charges apply on certain bridges as well as in some cities as part of the so-called city toll.
Which bridges in Sweden are subject to tolls?
The most important toll bridges include the Øresund Bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen, as well as the Sundsvall Bridge, the Motala Bridge, and the Skuru Bridge. Depending on the bridge, payment is made either directly at a toll station or afterwards via automatic license plate recognition.
How does automatic toll billing work in Sweden?
On many toll routes, your vehicle's license plate is automatically captured. The vehicle owner is then identified and an invoice is issued. For vehicles from abroad, processing is usually handled via the service provider Epass24. After registering, you can conveniently pay the fees online there.
What is the city toll in Stockholm and Gothenburg?
In the cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg, a so-called city toll is charged. This applies to vehicles up to 14 t GVW that enter certain city areas on weekdays. The license plates are automatically recorded, and the fees are subsequently invoiced to the vehicle owner.
"}When is the city toll charged in Stockholm and Gothenburg?
The city toll generally applies from Monday to Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:29 p.m. No toll is charged on weekends and public holidays. In Stockholm, the city toll is also usually not charged during the last three weeks of July, while in Gothenburg, the entire month of July is toll-free.
Are motorcycles exempt from the city toll in Sweden?
Motorcycles are exempt from the city toll requirement in Sweden. Nevertheless, it is recommended to check the current regulations before your trip.
How do I recognize toll areas in Swedish cities?
Toll stations in cities such as Stockholm or Gothenburg are marked with the sign „Betalstation“. When passing through these stations, the license plate is automatically recorded, so you do not have to stop or pay on site.
