Sweden’s sleek design, pristine landscapes, and progressive culture come with a highly digitized payment environment-but it’s still important to understand how money in Sweden works before you land. While the Swedish Krona (SEK) is the official currency, cash use is rapidly declining across the country. Most shops, restaurants, museums-even street vendors-prefer card or mobile payments like Swish. In fact, some places won’t accept cash at all. This guide helps you navigate currency in Sweden, from where to withdraw Krona if needed, to how to pay like a local using digital methods.
How to pay in Sweden – cash or card?
Sweden is one of the world’s most card-friendly countries, with plans to transition to a completely cashless society. Cards are almost universally accepted, and many businesses do not accept cash at all. Tourists should have no trouble using credit and debit cards for almost every transaction.
You can use cash for:
- Tips and gratuities (not expected but accepted in SEK)
- Small purchases (some places, but becoming rare)
- Local expenses at small grocery stores or market stalls (select rural areas)
- Street food (some vendors)
- Laundry services (older laundromats)
- Entry fees to smaller local attractions (cash may still be accepted)
You can use card for:
- Budget hotels
- Hostels
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Local tour operators
- Large tour operators
- Shopping at malls and most street markets
- Entry fees to museums, historical sites, and attractions
- Local buses (contactless or travel cards like SL in Stockholm)
- Local taxis / App-based taxis (e.g., Bolt, Uber)
- Local trains (via apps or vending machines)
- Airport transport (Arlanda Express, airport buses)
- Street food (majority accept card or Swish app)
- Small eateries / restaurants
- Sit-down restaurants
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas
- Tailoring services
- Vehicle renting
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up (in stores)
- Nightlife / bars
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies
Sweden is almost entirely cashless. Cards and mobile payments (especially Swish) are standard. Some places won’t even accept cash.
What’s the best currency to take to Sweden?
The Swedish Krona (SEK) is the local currency, with notes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 SEK. This is the most commonly accepted currency.
US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds are not commonly accepted in Sweden, with card or digital payment methods in Swedish Krona being preferred.
So, Swedish Krona is the best currency to take to Sweden.
Where to get the local currency in Sweden?
In Sweden, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
The Swedish Krona is a moderately popular currency worldwide, but it is not always available in all countries, so it may be difficult to find at home, and even if you do, the exchange rate will be low.
Types of cards to swipe in Sweden
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in Sweden
When withdrawing money in Sweden, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus and Maestro cards. Some of them may accept Amex cards but this is not common so don’t rely on it. Cards such as JCB, Unionpay, Rupay, Diners, and Discover are not usually accepted by many ATMs.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Sweden?
There’s usually no need to exchange money before traveling to Sweden. The country uses the Swedish Krona (SEK), but it is increasingly cashless, and card payments are accepted almost everywhere-including public transport, taxis, and even toilets in some places.
ATMs (called “Bankomats”) are available throughout Sweden, including airports, but they may be fewer in number than in other countries due to the decline in cash use. They accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus cards. Be sure to check for international fees.
If you still want to carry some SEK, it’s best to withdraw from an ATM upon arrival or exchange money at a bank or currency exchange bureau like Forex Bank. Airport exchanges may offer lower rates.
While it’s possible to travel entirely cash-free in Sweden, carrying a small amount of local currency may still be helpful for remote areas or rare cash-only situations. Carry a card that supports contactless payments and avoid traveler’s cheques, which are not widely accepted.
Where to withdraw money in Sweden
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Sweden are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Danske Bank,
- Nordea,
- Handelsbanken,
- SEB,
- Swedbank, and
- Bankomat brand of ATMs.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Sweden.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Sweden. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Sweden.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Where to exchange currency in Sweden
In Sweden, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
Although Sweden is largely cashless, there are still currency exchange options available, particularly in cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö.
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Forex Bank – Sweden’s most prominent currency exchange chain, with branches in city centers and airports
X-Change
ChangeGroup (locations in major train stations and shopping areas)
Svea Exchange
Forex Bank also functions as a banking service and offers competitive rates for travelers.
Locations to find exchanges:
Arlanda Airport (Stockholm)
Stockholm Central Station
Gothenburg Central Station
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
Most Swedish banks no longer deal with foreign currency in-branch. You’ll need to use dedicated currency bureaus.
💡 Tip: Sweden is highly card-friendly – even street vendors accept cards. Only exchange small amounts of SEK if you absolutely need cash.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in Sweden safe?
Yes, carrying cash while travelling in Sweden is generally safe. Here are some tips for keeping your money safe:
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Sweden are:
- Carry only the cash you need.
- Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
- Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
- Do not flash your cash.
- When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
- Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
- Cross-wear your purses if possible.
- Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
- When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
- If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattended while you go to the restroom.
- If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Sweden
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
