What is the congestion tax in Stockholm and how does it work?
Where the tax applies, how vehicles are registered and how the bill reaches you.
Short answer
Stockholm's congestion tax is a charge on vehicles driven into and out of the inner city and along Essingeleden at set times, registered automatically at payment stations. The amount depends on the time of day, and the Swedish Transport Agency sends an invoice to the vehicle owner at the end of each month.
Why
- The amount per passage depends on the time of day, and the highest total per vehicle and day is SEK 135 in high season, according to the Swedish Transport Agency.
- The purpose of the tax is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, according to the Swedish Transport Agency.
- The tax covers both Swedish and foreign-registered vehicles, and the Swedish Transport Agency states that it is charged for cars, including all environmental cars.
Details
Tax is charged in two areas: the inner city and Essingeleden. It applies on weekdays from 06:00 to 18:29, with SEK 11 to SEK 45 per passage depending on time and season. Swedish-registered vehicles are invoiced to the owner, who can pay by autogiro, e-invoice or payment slip, while foreign-registered vehicles are invoiced through EPASS24. For hours and amounts, see the congestion tax basics, and for parking in the city see how many minutes over the time you can park in Stockholm.
Tip
Time the drive if you can: the same passage costs SEK 11 between 09:30 and 14:59 and SEK 45 at 07:00–08:29 and 16:00–17:29 in high season, which runs until 30 November.
What may differ
Amounts differ between the inner city and Essingeleden and between high and low season. Some vehicles are exempt, such as motorcycles, diplomatic, military and emergency vehicles and buses of at least 14 tonnes.
Common misconception
Electric cars do not pay congestion tax in Stockholm.
What actually happens
The Swedish Transport Agency states that congestion tax is charged for cars, including all environmental cars.
People also ask
- How does congestion tax work in Stockholm?
- Why do you pay congestion tax in Stockholm?
- What is trängselskatt?
Sources
- Swedish Transport Agency: Congestion tax in Stockholm, times and amountsChecked at:
- Swedish Transport Agency: Payment and notification of congestion taxChecked at:
- Swedish Transport Agency: Paying the congestion taxChecked at:
- Swedish Transport Agency: Exemptions from congestion taxChecked at:
- Swedish Transport Agency: Congestion tax paymentChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Transport Agency before you drive.
Congestion tax basicsRelated questions
-
How often does a car need inspection in Sweden?
A passenger car is inspected first within 36 months of the month it was put into traffic.
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Can you take a Swedish rental car to Denmark or Norway?
Sixt says its rental cars may be taken from Sweden to Denmark, Finland and Norway, while Hertz and Avis require written permission before you drive outside Sweden.
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Do you need a credit card to rent a car in Sweden?
Hertz accepts debit cards, but a renter paying with one must also show a credit card at pickup, so a credit card is the safe choice.
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Where can you find EV charging stations in Stockholm?
You find EV chargers in Stockholm with apps and maps such as ChargeFinder and PlugShare, or in an operator's app such as Vattenfall InCharge.