If you travel by car in Stockholm and Gothenburg at certain times, you have to pay a so-called "congestion tax".
This is not paid on the spot. Vehicles that pass through the toll station are automatically recorded by cameras. Once the vehicle details have been recorded, foreign drivers receive a bill in the post.
Many holidaymakers in Sweden are unfamiliar with the procedure and are surprised to receive the payment notice on their return home.
Toll in Stockholm
In Stockholm, the city toll ("congestion tax") is payable in the city centre and on the city motorway "Essingeleden".
You have to pay the toll every time you enter or leave the city between 6:00 am and 6:29 pm. The amount of the fee depends on the time of day and season and ranges from 11 SEK (≙ 0.99 euros) to 45 SEK (≙ 4.04 euros).
A maximum of 135 SEK (≙ 12.11 euros) can be charged per day and vehicle.
Passage is free of charge in July, with the exception of its first five weekdays (Monday to Friday). Public holidays and a few days before a public holiday are also free of charge.
The toll area is shown on the following map.
Click here for more information on congestion charges in Stockholm.
Toll in Gothenburg
In Gothenburg, you will have to pay between 9 SEK (≙ 0.81 euros) and 22 SEK (≙ 1.97 euros) depending on the time of day (6.00 am to 6.29 pm).
There is no charge in July, on public holidays and the day before.
The maximum amount per day and vehicle is SEK 60 (≙ 5.38 euros).
A map shows the toll stations.
Read more about congestion charges in Gothenburg.
Paying the congestion charge in Sweden
For people who have registered their vehicle in Sweden, the congestion charge is usually paid via a user account and the payment method stored there.
For foreign vehicles, the payment notice is sent to the owner by post via the company EPASS24. However, in accordance with the Swedish Tax Act, the notice is issued by the competent authority, the Swedish Transport Agency.
If the invoice is not paid by the due date, a penalty fee of SEK 500 (≙ 44.64 euros) will be charged.
Foreign drivers can also view their toll costs after registering at account.epass24.com. Payment can also be made here.
Can an objection be lodged?
Of course it is possible to appeal against a congestion charge or a penalty charge. However, this is not usually successful.
Those affected are particularly annoyed by the high fine, which they were unable to avoid. It may happen that the first bill does not arrive, or that it takes so long to arrive by post that the payment deadline has passed.
However, these are not grounds for a successful appeal.
The invoice is just an additional service. According to Swedish law, it is the debtor's responsibility to ensure that payment is made on time. Possible delays due to postal delivery do not affect the obligation to pay on time.
However, if you think there is an error in the payment order, you can appeal using an online form. The form is available in Swedish and English.
Alternatively, you can send your objection by post. The address is
Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)
Congestion tax
SE-871 87 Härnösand
SWEDEN
The information to be provided includes the vehicle registration number, invoice number, name and address and the reason for the appeal.
This must be done within 60 days of the authorities' decision. You can appeal yourself or through an authorised lawyer.
For more information on congestion charges and appeals, see transportstyrelsen.se.
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