Getting Swedish Krona for Your Trip to Sweden
Sweden has embraced the cashless revolution more than almost any other country. In fact, many Swedish businesses actively refuse cash, displaying "cards only" signs. This is great news for travellers - you don't need to worry about exchanging currency before your trip. Just bring a card and you're set.
The key is bringing the right card. Swedish prices are high (though slightly lower than Norway), and foreign transaction fees of 2.75-3% add up quickly. A fee-free multi-currency card lets you pay everywhere while keeping the real exchange rate.
Whether you're exploring Stockholm's archipelago, experiencing the northern lights in Swedish Lapland, or touring the design shops of Gothenburg, your payment strategy is simple: card for everything, perhaps a tiny bit of cash as absolute backup.
Best Ways to Pay in Sweden
1. Fee-Free Debit Cards (Essential)
A multi-currency debit card from Wise or Revolut is your best friend in Sweden. You'll use it for virtually every transaction - from coffee to museum tickets to train fares. These cards offer the real exchange rate with minimal fees and work everywhere cards are accepted.
2. Credit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express is less common but works at larger establishments. Check your card's foreign transaction fees - if they charge a percentage, switch to a fee-free alternative for your trip.
3. Mobile Payments
Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely in Sweden. Link your fee-free card for convenient tap payments. Note that the local Swish app requires a Swedish bank account, so tourists can't use it.
4. ATM Withdrawals
ATMs exist but are becoming rarer as Sweden goes cashless. If you need cash, use ATMs from major banks like SEB, Nordea, or Handelsbanken. Always decline the currency conversion offer and withdraw in SEK.
Using Cards in Sweden
Card payments are the norm in Sweden - in fact, they're often the only option:
Where Cards Are Always Accepted
- All shops, supermarkets, and department stores
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars
- Public transport (SL in Stockholm, Västtrafik in Gothenburg)
- Museums and tourist attractions
- Hotels and hostels
- Taxis and ride-sharing services
- Most market stalls and food trucks
Places That May Be Cash-Only (Rare)
- Some very small rural businesses
- Occasional flea market vendors
- Some older parking meters (most now take cards)
Important Card Tips
- Always pay in SEK: Choose Swedish Krona when prompted, never your home currency
- Contactless is universal: Tap-to-pay works virtually everywhere
- PIN required over 400 SEK: Be prepared to enter your PIN for larger purchases
- Check for "Kontanter" signs: If a shop doesn't accept cash, they'll display this
ATMs in Sweden
ATMs are becoming scarce as Sweden goes cashless, but they're still available:
Best ATMs to Use
- Bankomat: Sweden's main ATM network, operated by major banks
- SEB, Nordea, Handelsbanken: Bank ATMs with reliable service
- Forex Bank: Often in airports and train stations
ATM Tips
If offered currency conversion, always decline and withdraw in SEK. Some ATMs charge withdrawal fees (usually 35-65 SEK), so check the screen before confirming. Your fee-free card provider may also have ATM fee limits, so check their terms.
Where Cash Might Still Help
While you can easily visit Sweden without cash, there are a few situations where a small amount of SEK might be useful:
- Flea markets: Some vendors at Loppis (flea markets) prefer cash
- Tips: If you want to tip in cash (not expected, but appreciated)
- Remote areas: Very small businesses in rural Sweden might prefer cash
- Emergency backup: In case of card issues, though unlikely to need it
If you want backup cash, withdraw a small amount (500-1000 SEK) from an ATM on arrival. Don't exchange money before your trip - you'll get a worse rate.
Tipping in Sweden
Tipping is not expected in Sweden. Service charges are included in prices and staff earn good wages. However, you can round up or add 5-10% for excellent service:
- Restaurants: Not expected; round up or add 5-10% for great service
- Cafes: No tipping expected
- Taxis: Round up to the nearest convenient amount
- Hotels: Not customary
- Bars: Keep the change or round up slightly
Best Exchange Options for SEK
Top providers by category:
Forex Bank
Best exchange rates in Sweden. At all stations.
Swedbank
Major Swedish bank. Wide ATM coverage.
SEB
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. Good service.
Arlanda Airport
Forex Bank available. Decent rates.
Gamla Stan Booths
Tourist rates in old town. Use Forex.
Compare SEK Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
In Sweden a card is often the only option, with many businesses showing cards-only signs. The key, the guide says, is the right card: Wise or Revolut, for instance, offer multi-currency debit cards that give the real exchange rate and keep fees minimal, unlike cards charging 2.75-3% on foreign transactions. For notes, a small ATM withdrawal on arrival beats exchanging beforehand.
Very nearly. Many Swedish businesses refuse cash outright and put up cards-only signs, and cards are taken in shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, museums, hotels and taxis and on public transport. Only a few very small rural businesses, the odd flea market vendor and some older parking meters may still want cash.
No. Swish, the local mobile payment app, needs a Swedish bank account, so visitors cannot sign up for it. Apple Pay and Google Pay do work widely across Sweden, so link your fee-free card to your phone wallet and tap to pay; contactless is accepted almost everywhere, with a PIN needed for purchases over 400 SEK.
You can get through a whole trip without it, but a small amount of SEK can help at Loppis flea markets, in remote rural areas, for a cash tip or as a fallback if your card plays up. If you want that backup, withdraw 500-1000 SEK from an ATM when you arrive; exchanging money before the trip gets you a worse rate.
Some machines do charge a withdrawal fee, usually 35-65 SEK, so read the screen before confirming, and your fee-free card provider may have its own ATM fee limits, so check its terms. ATMs are getting scarcer as Sweden goes cashless; use the Bankomat network or SEB, Nordea and Handelsbanken machines, decline any conversion offer and take out SEK.
No. Service is built into prices and staff are properly paid, so nobody expects a tip. If service was excellent you can round the bill up or add 5-10% in a restaurant, round a taxi fare up to a convenient figure, or leave the change at a bar; cafes and hotels need nothing.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Norway
Denmark