Does National require an IDP in Sweden?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
National in Sweden: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-Latin-alphabet licences and where local rules call for one. Business-traveller brand known for Emerald Aisle.
Sweden drives on the right with daytime headlights mandatory year-round; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and the alcohol limit is among Europe's lowest.
In Sweden specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Sweden ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. Stockholm desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
National runs a global network; at its Sweden desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Sweden drives on the right, uses the SEK, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the National counter in Sweden
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the SEK deposit; Sweden drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Sweden National renters should know
- Daytime headlights mandatory at all times.
- 0.02% alcohol limit — near zero.
- Winter tyres mandatory Dec–Mar.
- Congestion tax in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
National's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
The minimum age to rent is typically 21 (18 in Michigan and New York, as required by state law); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Youthful Surcharge" of approximately $25 per day (varies by location, lower in some states such as $5/day in New York) and may be restricted to certain car classes.
A major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) in the primary renter's name with sufficient available credit is required; National generally does not accept debit cards, and renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary must provide a hold/deposit typically between $300 and $400 depending on location and vehicle class.
The renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements drives free; other additional authorized drivers cost about $15 per day (typically $5/day in New York), and must be at least 21 with a valid licence. National requires a valid, unexpired full driver's licence held by the renter; for under-25 drivers some locations require the licence to have been held for at least one year, though National does not publish a uniform minimum tenure across all locations.
Vehicles rented in the U.S. or Canada are prohibited from being driven into Mexico; U.S.-Canada cross-border travel is generally permitted but one-way US/Canada drop-offs are limited to participating locations, and rentals originating in certain Mexican cities (e.g. Tijuana, Mexicali, Hermosillo, Monterrey, Saltillo) may cross into the U.S. after purchasing an extension of liability protection (about $10 USD/day).
National states that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is commonly requested in select countries and is generally recommended when travelling abroad; specifically, overseas travelers whose licence uses a non-Roman alphabet may need to present an IDP alongside their home-country licence.
Once you collect the keys in Sweden
Stockholm and Gothenburg levy a congestion tax at camera stations on weekdays, plus bridge tolls (Oresund, Sundsvall, Motala); foreign-registered cars are billed via the EPASS24 partner, and rental firms typically pass charges on with a fee.
Urban parking is paid and zone-based, usually via apps (EasyPark, Parkster, Mobill) or meters; watch cleaning-day and residential signs, and illegal parking fines reach about SEK 1,400 (~EUR 125).
Speeding even 1 km/h over is finable, starting around SEK 2,000 and rising by band; holding a phone while driving is prohibited, seatbelts are compulsory, and police issue fixed on-the-spot fines.
Call 112 for injuries; exchange details and complete a European Accident Statement for minor crashes, and report to police if there are injuries, disputed fault, or damage to public property or wildlife (a duty to report animal collisions applies).
Full driving guide for Sweden →