Currency in Sweden
The complete Swedish Krona (SEK) travel guide
The Swedish Krona (SEK, plural kronor; symbol kr) is the official currency of Sweden. Issued by Sveriges Riksbank (the world's oldest central bank, founded 1668), banknotes come in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kronor denominations; coins in 1, 2, 5, and 10 kronor. The 50 öre coin was withdrawn in 2010, and the öre subunit is now obsolete in physical cash — cash prices round to the nearest krona. Sweden is one of the world's most cashless societies, with cash use below 10% of transactions.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Sweden
Sweden is genuinely close to cashless — many shops, restaurants, and museums explicitly do not accept cash anymore (signs say "Vi tar inte kontanter / We don't accept cash"). Visa, Mastercard, and the local Swish mobile-payment system dominate. ATMs (Bankomat) exist but are increasingly sparse outside city centres. Foreign visitors should plan to use cards exclusively — withdraw only SEK 1,000–2,000 for any cash-required edge cases (some old market stalls, parking machines that take coins only, public toilets at train stations). ATMs at SEB, Swedbank, Handelsbanken, and Nordea branches charge SEK 30–50 per foreign withdrawal.
Tipping culture in Sweden
Tipping is appreciated but not expected in Sweden. Restaurants: rounding up the bill or adding 5–10% for exceptional service is generous; standard practice is no tip. Taxis: round up to the nearest 10 kronor. Hotels: SEK 20–50 per bag at international chains. Hairdressers, tour guides, bartenders: not tipped. Service charges are not added to restaurant bills as in some Eurozone countries. Swedish service workers earn full hourly wages (the minimum effective wage via collective bargaining is among Europe's highest), so tips are a bonus, not a wage component.
Best way to get Swedish Krona (SEK)
For USD-to-SEK, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.4% of mid-market. Swedish banks add 1.5–3% margins on currency exchange. Avoid Arlanda Airport currency-exchange counters — spreads exceed 5–8% above mid-market. Since Sweden is largely cashless, the entire concept of "getting cash" is becoming obsolete — focus on having a no-foreign-transaction-fee card. For large transfers (SEK 100,000+), Wise, Revolut, and traditional Swedish banks are all roughly competitive due to low Swedish banking margins; Wise still wins by 0.3–0.8% typically.
Practical money tips for Sweden
- •Many cafés and shops are cashless — bring a tap-to-pay card, not cash
- •SL Access card (Stockholm) and Västtrafik to-go (Gothenburg) work for public transit; many tourists just use contactless credit cards directly
- •VAT (Moms) of 25% on most goods, 12% on food, 6% on transport — included in displayed prices
- •Tax-free shopping (Global Blue, Premier Tax Free) at airport for non-EU residents on purchases over SEK 200
- •Sweden plug type C/F (same as Germany/France) with 230V/50Hz — Americans need adapter
- •Free public Wi-Fi is excellent in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö
- •Stockholm Tunnelbana, Gothenburg trams, and Malmö buses all accept contactless tap-to-pay
Common money scams to avoid in Sweden
Sweden has very low tourist-money fraud — among the lowest in Europe. The main pitfalls are not scams but pricing: tourist-zone restaurants near Gamla Stan (Stockholm Old Town) charge 30–50% more than local establishments one neighborhood over. Some Stockholm hotel-adjacent currency-exchange booths post some of the worst rates in Europe — entirely avoidable since Sweden is functionally cashless. Bicycle theft rates are high in Stockholm and Gothenburg — secure rental bikes carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sweden in the Eurozone?
No. Sweden is an EU member but uses the Swedish Krona (SEK), not the euro. Sweden held a referendum in 2003 and voters rejected joining the euro. There is no current political momentum to revisit the question.
Can I use cash in Sweden?
Less and less. Many shops, restaurants, and museums now refuse cash entirely. Plan to use cards exclusively. If you must use cash, withdraw SEK 1,000–2,000 from a bank ATM for the rare cash-only spot (old market stalls, coin-operated parking).
How much cash should I bring to Sweden?
Almost none. Most Swedish trips can be done with zero physical kronor. Bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card and use Apple/Google Pay where possible. Withdraw small amounts (SEK 500–1,000) only if absolutely needed.
What is Swish?
Swish is Sweden's dominant mobile-payment system — a phone-number-to-phone-number instant transfer app used between individuals and increasingly at businesses. It requires a Swedish BankID, so tourists cannot use it — but it explains why many small Swedish businesses are uniquely set up for cashless-only operation.
Why is Sweden so cashless?
A combination of factors: high trust in financial institutions, early adoption of contactless payments (rolled out by Swedish banks in the early 2010s), the Swish app, and the Riksbank actively encouraging digital transactions to reduce cash-handling costs. Some Swedish bank branches refuse to handle cash at all.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.