Sweden
Currency in Sweden: what to use and how to exchange
Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK, kr), roughly 11 kr to €1 in 2026 — check. Cards work almost everywhere, so most travellers carry little or no cash; bring a Visa or Mastercard, tap to pay, and withdraw a small amount from an ATM only if you need it. Exchange cash at a bank or Forex branch, not at the airport.
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Key facts
- Currency
- Swedish krona (SEK, kr); 100 öre = 1 krona, öre coins withdrawn
- Rough ratecheck
- About 11 SEK to €1 in 2026 — check before you travel
- Cards
- Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere, including small kiosks and buses
- Cash
- Rarely needed; some places are card-only
- Best exchange
- Bank or Forex branch in a city; airport kiosks give worse rates
- ATM withdrawal
- Bankomat ATMs; your own bank's foreign fee plus any local operator fee
- Tipping
- Service is included; round up or add 5–10% for good table service
Details
Sweden is close to a cashless economy. Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and Swish (a local phone payment app for residents) cover supermarkets, museums, taxis, buses and even market stalls. Many shops and cafés display a small sign saying they no longer take cash, so a card is the practical default for the whole trip.
If you want some kronor for a market, a rural bus or a tip, withdraw from an ATM rather than buying cash before you leave home. Swedish ATMs (Bankomat) are common in cities and at larger stations, and they dispense 100, 200 and 500 kronor notes. Your bank's foreign transaction fee and any local operator fee apply; check both before you rely on this route.
For exchanging foreign cash, use a bank branch or a Forex counter in a city centre. Airport exchange desks and hotel receptions are convenient but usually give a worse rate. If you are arriving with euros or pounds, changing a small amount at the airport and the rest in town is a reasonable compromise.
Prices are quoted in kronor, and rounding is normal: a coffee might be 45 kr, a museum ticket 150–200 kr, a restaurant main 200–350 kr. Keep the numbers in kronor when you compare, and use a card or phone app for the conversion rather than doing it in your head at the till.
| Situation | Best option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday spending | Card or phone tap | Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere |
| Small market or rural bus | Small amount of cash | Some stalls and buses are card-only, so check first |
| Withdrawing kronor | Bankomat ATM | Your bank fee plus any local operator fee |
| Exchanging foreign cash | Bank or Forex branch | City-centre rates beat airport and hotel desks |
| Tipping | Round up or 5–10% | Service is included; tipping is optional |
Rates and fees change; confirm with your bank before you travel.
Tips
Tell your bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked, and carry a second card from a different network as a backup.
Choose to pay in kronor, not in your home currency, when a terminal offers the choice; the conversion is usually cheaper that way.
Keep a few hundred kronor in small notes for the rare cash-only situation, and spend them before you leave rather than changing them back.
If you are staying a while, a local bank account and Swish are possible but usually not worth the paperwork for a short trip.
- Notify your bank before departure
- Always pay in SEK, not your home currency
- Carry a backup card
- Spend leftover kronor before you fly home
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Sweden?
The Swedish krona (SEK, kr). The öre subunit is no longer in circulation, so prices are in whole kronor. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and cash is rarely needed.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Sweden?
A bank branch or a Forex counter in a city centre usually gives a better rate than airport desks or hotel receptions. If you need cash, withdrawing from a Bankomat ATM is often simpler than exchanging foreign notes.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Sweden?
Use a card. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere, including small kiosks and public transport. Bring a small amount of kronor only for markets, rural buses or tips, and withdraw it from an ATM if needed.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialSveriges Riksbank – Swedish krona
- officialVisit Sweden – Practical information
- secondaryWikivoyage – Sweden