Explore Sweden
Sweden is a motorhomer's dream in summer: endless lakes, free official aires (stallplatser), generous right-to-roam rules, and some of the best-maintained roads in Europe. The catches are a near-zero drink-drive limit, a state alcohol monopoly, strict winter tyre rules, and ANPR congestion charges around Stockholm and Gothenburg. This guide covers what you need to know before you roll off the Oresund Bridge.
Last verified: 21 April 2026
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Driving rules
Sweden's drink-drive limit is one of the strictest in Europe. Roadside breath tests are routine and penalties are severe, including prison for serious offences. Do not drink the night before an early start either.
Driving tips
- Daytime headlights are compulsory at all times, all year round.
- Elk (moose) collisions kill Swedish drivers every year. Watch for elk-crossing signs, slow down at dawn and dusk, and expect oncoming traffic to flash to warn you.
- Keep a safe distance on gravel roads in rural Sweden. Flying stones are common and will crack a windscreen.
- Road tolls do not exist, but ANPR-based congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg apply to all vehicles including foreign ones.
- Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes follow lorry speed limits, not car limits.
- Many residential streets are limited to 40 km/h, with speed bumps to enforce it.
Required kit
Vehicles over 3,500 kg
Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes follow lorry speed limits. Make sure you know your vehicle's MAM (maximum authorised mass) before you travel.
Towing a caravan
Tolls and vignettes
Tolls
Swedish motorways are free. The charges you will encounter are ANPR congestion fees in Stockholm and Gothenburg, plus small bridge tolls at Motala and Sundsvall. Foreign plates are billed automatically by post from Epass24 a few weeks after your visit. Nothing to register or pay in advance.
Vignette
Sweden does not use a vignette.
Low emission zones
Check per city: https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/en/road/
Most UK motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes are unaffected by Miljozon class 1. Class 3 in central Stockholm is the strictest and mostly catches older passenger cars. No sticker is needed, enforcement is ANPR-based and rules vary by city.
Supermarkets and shopping
Budget
Mid-range
Premium
Opening hours
Supermarkets are open seven days a week in most of Sweden. Rural stores may close earlier on Sundays. Public holidays affect everything, plan ahead around Midsummer and Christmas.
Alcohol
Plan weekend shopping carefully. If you arrive on a Saturday afternoon, you have until 15:00 to visit Systembolaget before it closes until Monday morning. Supermarket folkol is drinkable but weak, stronger beer, wine, and spirits are monopoly-only.
Local tips
- Card and Swish (mobile payment) are universal. Cash is rarely needed or even accepted.
- Most towns have a weekly marknad (market), worth seeking out for local bakery goods and fresh produce.
- Pharmacies (Apotek) are the only source for medicines, supermarkets do not sell paracetamol.
- Many ICA and Coop stores have dedicated motorhome service points with water and waste disposal outside.
Motorhome LPG and gas in Sweden
Sweden uses the ACME and Dish fittings for Autogas refills. The LPG network is very limited, roughly 25 stations across the whole country, concentrated around the southern cities and motorway corridors. Plan refills carefully if you rely on an Autogas tank, and fill up in Germany or Denmark before crossing.
For bottled gas, the main Swedish brands are AGA and Primus Gas. Bottles are widely stocked at fuel stations and camping shops but use different fittings to UK Calor.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Either carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Motorhome electric hook-ups in Sweden
Swedish campsites and stallplatser typically offer 10A to 16A hook-ups, which is plenty for most motorhome needs. Standard CEE blue plugs are universal. Voltage is a stable 230V.
Reverse polarity is uncommon in Sweden but a socket tester is worth packing for any European trip. Stallplatser (municipal aires) frequently have pre-paid electricity bollards, topped up by card or coin.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Documents you need
Your own vehicle
- Passport
- UK Photocard Driving Licence
- Vehicle Log Book (V5C)
- Insurance Certificate
- Travel Insurance Proof
Rental or hire vehicle
- VE103 Certificate
- Driving Licence Check Code
- International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence)
Travelling with dogs
What to pack
- Dog lead
- Water bowl
- Vaccination records
- AHC
Food import rules
Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought into Sweden from the UK under EU rules. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk, baby food, and medically prescribed pet food. Honey, fish, fruit, and vegetables are generally permitted in reasonable personal quantities.
Border and entry
Allemansratten (the right of public access) permits some wild stopping on uncultivated land away from buildings. For motorhomes the interpretation is grey: "one night, out of sight, no mess" is the pragmatic rule. Private land and cultivated fields are always excluded. For longer stays use official stallplatser.
Useful links
Common questions
Will I be charged Stockholm congestion tax as a UK driver?
Yes. Stockholm and Gothenburg charge foreign vehicles via ANPR cameras just like Swedish-registered ones. Expect SEK 11 to SEK 45 per passage on weekdays, with peak-hour rates highest. The bill arrives by post from Epass24 a few weeks after your visit. Nothing to register or pay in advance, just expect the invoice.
Can I wild camp in Sweden under allemansratten?
Allemansratten (the right of public access) is generous by European standards but motorhomes are a grey area. The safe interpretation is one night only, out of sight of buildings, on uncultivated land, leave no trace. Do not use it to park up for a week. Official stallplatser (municipal motorhome aires) are a better bet for longer stays and usually come with water and waste facilities.
Why is alcohol so hard to buy in Sweden?
Anything over 3.5% ABV can only be sold by the state-owned monopoly Systembolaget. They are open Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00 or 19:00, Saturday 10:00-15:00, closed Sundays and public holidays. Supermarkets stock folkol only (beer up to 3.5% ABV). Plan weekend purchases on Friday or Saturday morning.
Can I take my dog to Sweden in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet issued within 10 days of travel. Coming back to the UK, your vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival. Dogs must be kept on a lead in many public areas and always inside wildlife reserves.