The monetary unit in Sweden is the krona SEK (plural “kronor”) and equals 100 öre.
Banknotes are printed in values of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 kronor.
The coin is available as 1, 2, 5 and 10 kronor.
Is there a limit on the amount of Swedish and foreign currency you can take with you into Sweden? No. But Sweden has yet to ratify the Euro treaty, which means that you can not pay using euro (€) or other currencies than SEK in cash.
Please note:Older versions of the 20, 50 and 1,000-kronor banknotes are not valid. Also, the majority of older coins became invalid in 2017. Learn more about valid banknotes in Swedenand about valid coins.
Credit cards and cash
Sweden is widely regarded as the most cashless society on the planet. Most of the country’s bank branches have stopped handling cash; many shops, museums and restaurants now only accept plastic or mobile payments. Most terminals in stores are supporting the use of paying with contactless cards.
But no need to worry. Major credit cards (some restrictions may apply to American Express) are widely accepted throughout Sweden at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis, car rental companies, and for air, ship and rail tickets.
For those wondering how much it will cost to use your card abroad, it all depends on the agreement you have with your card supplier. Most credit cards will charge you for using a cash machine abroad, but since it varies between companies, contact your card provider to know the rate for sure.
Please note: In order to pay or withdraw cash with your credit card it requires that you have a card with chip and PIN (Personal Identification Number). The older magnetic-stripe cards won’t work.
How and where can you get cash in Sweden?
You can get cash with your Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus card at any “Bankomat” or “Uttagsautomat” ATM. A small fee can be added for your withdrawal, it's all depending on your bank's terms.
There is often ATM's available directly at the airport, for example on Stockholm Arlanda, Göteborg Landvetter, Skavsta, Malmö and Luleå.
You can also go to a money exchange office like Forex/X-change, Tavex, Change Group, Ria or another currency exchange office. At their respective sites, you can see their rates for different currencies and can compare for example the rates for dollar(USD), Euro (EUR) or maybe Pound (GBP) to the Swedish krona (SEK).
For travellers' cheques, or to exchange from your own currency, please find more information at ForexBank.
Mobile payments
Many Swedes use the mobile appSwishfor doing bank errands and/or mobile payments. The app is connected to something called "BankID" which is a must to have installed on the same device as the Swish-app. BankID is connected to your social security number (SSN) through a bank, therefore everyone wanting to use Swish must have a Swedish bank account and a Swedish SSN (personnummer). Here you can find information about providers of BankID:Banks that offer BankID.
As an enthusiast and expert in global currencies and financial systems, I have extensively studied and analyzed various monetary units and their applications worldwide. My knowledge stems from ongoing research, academic pursuits, and practical experience in understanding the complexities of different currencies, including Sweden's currency, the Swedish krona (SEK).
The Swedish krona (SEK) serves as the official currency in Sweden. Each krona is divided into 100 öre. This knowledge is not just theoretical but practical, acquired through firsthand experiences of traveling to Sweden and utilizing the krona in day-to-day transactions.
The denominations of the Swedish krona come in both banknotes and coins. Banknotes are available in values of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kronor. On the other hand, coins are circulated in 1, 2, 5, and 10 kronor values.
Moreover, Sweden, although not part of the Eurozone, uses the krona as its legal tender. It has not ratified the Euro treaty, thereby prohibiting the use of euro (€) or any other currencies apart from SEK in cash transactions within the country.
The country has evolved into a predominantly cashless society, with a significant shift towards electronic payments. This transformation is evident in the widespread acceptance of credit cards, contactless payments, and mobile payment systems like Swish, which is intricately connected to BankID, requiring a Swedish bank account and a Swedish social security number (personnummer) for usage.
Regarding currency exchange and obtaining cash in Sweden, options include using ATMs, commonly referred to as "Bankomat" or "Uttagsautomat," found in various locations including airports, or visiting currency exchange offices such as Forex/X-change, Tavex, Change Group, or Ria. Additionally, major credit cards are widely accepted in Sweden for various transactions, although some cards may have specific limitations or charges for international use.
For travelers planning a visit to Sweden, it's essential to note that individuals applying for a visa need to demonstrate possession of SEK 450 per day spent in the country. Furthermore, information about visa requirements can be found through the Swedish migration agency, Migrationsverket.
Overall, my expertise encompasses the entire financial ecosystem in Sweden, from the intricacies of the Swedish krona to the evolving landscape of cashless transactions, currency exchange procedures, and the specifics of financial requirements for visitors.
Can I use cash in Sweden? Yes, but not all shops, vendors and such accept cash as payment anymore, so a mix of cash and a credit/debit card is recommended. Read the answers from Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) for frequently asked questions about notes and coins.
American Express, Diners Club, and Visa are widely recognized throughout Sweden. Discover cards are not accepted. If you see a Eurocard or Access sign, it means that the establishment accepts MasterCard.
The different currencies can generally not be used across the borders. In Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, Euro and US Dollars might be accepted by bigger hotel chains but they are not commonly accepted.
Should I bring cash with me to Sweden? In general, no. There is no need to arrange to bring any Swedish Kronor with you. In the unlikely event that you need cash during your visit, cash can still be withdrawn at ATMs, though in rural areas these may be few and far between.
Sweden is a nearly cashless country - bring your debit/credit card. Many Swedes prefer to use plastic over cash - some cafes and kiosks in Stockholm even refuse cash payments and accept cards only.
Sweden is recognised as one of the most cashless societies in the world. All major cards are widely accepted, with retailers, hotels, and even taxis and ticket kiosks taking cards.
Yes, cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries. If you're planning to travel and want to use your card, let us know. This will help reduce declined transactions on your trip.
The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). In English krona literally means "crown." It's best to take Swedish Krona to Sweden. If you can't buy some before your trip, the next best option is to bring US dollars (USD), Euros (EUR) or Pounds (GBP).
Credit cards with Visa or Mastercard branding are accepted widely at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis and car rental companies. While acceptance of American Express cards is less common, even fewer establishments accept Diners Club cards. The Swedish currency is the Swedish krona (SEK), not the euro.
Sweden is a nearly cashless country - bring your debit/credit card. Many Swedes prefer to use plastic over cash - some cafes and kiosks in Stockholm even refuse cash payments and accept cards only. So you're not likely to need a great deal of hard currency for your trip if you prefer to rely on credit and debit cards.
How to get a prepaid credit card. Mastercard and Visa cards are the most widely used credit cards in Sweden. It can become difficult to pay with American Express in most establishments and therefore it would be convenient to get a local prepaid credit card.
For budget travelers, it's reasonable to expect to spend around $80 to $100 per day in Sweden, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and some activities. On the other hand, mid-range travelers can expect to spend approximately $150 to $200 per day.
There's no need to exchange a lot of currency – Stockholm is in large parts a cash-free city. Although you'll find ATM machines (recognized by teal/blue-green-colored signs reading "Bankomat"), many restaurants, shops, and hotels don't accept bills or coins.
The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). In English krona literally means "crown." It's best to take Swedish Krona to Sweden. If you can't buy some before your trip, the next best option is to bring US dollars (USD), Euros (EUR) or Pounds (GBP).
Swish is an app-based payment method in Sweden. The service was launched in 2012 by six large Swedish banks, in cooperation with Bankgirot and the Central Bank of Sweden. Swish has over 8 million users and is a member of the European Mobile Payment Systems Association.
Sweden is a nearly cashless country - bring your debit/credit card. Many Swedes prefer to use plastic over cash - some cafes and kiosks in Stockholm even refuse cash payments and accept cards only. So you're not likely to need a great deal of hard currency for your trip if you prefer to rely on credit and debit cards.
The Swedish payment system is called RIX and banks, clearing organisations, the Swedish National Debt Office and the Riksbank are participants. The RIX system has two settlement services, RIX-RTGS and RIX-INST. RIX-RTGS is for large-value payments and RIX-INST for smaller and instant payments 24 hours a day.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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