Europe

Money, cards and tipping in Sweden

Capital: StockholmSwedish, FinnishUpdated October 2026

SEKKrona

Money in Sweden

Practically cashless Practically cashless: many cafés and shops refuse cash and city buses don't take it. A contactless card or phone covers everything. US$1 ≈ kr10.04 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Not expected. Rounding up or 5–10% for good table service is common; nothing at counters.
ATMs: ATMs (Bankomat) are scarce but usually add no local fee; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere; Swish needs a Swedish bank account and BankID, so visitors can't use it.
Price level: about 87% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Stockholm	Practically cashless	Nearly cashless: many cafés, shops and even buses do not take cash. Carry a card; Swish needs a Swedish number.
Gothenburg	Practically cashless	Practically cashless; cards and Swish work almost everywhere. Some places refuse notes and coins.
Malmö	Practically cashless	Practically cashless: cards and Swish work everywhere; some cafés and kiosks do not accept cash.
Kiruna	Practically cashless	Practically cashless; cards are accepted everywhere including tour operators. Carry a card, not cash.
Uppsala	Practically cashless	Practically cashless; cards and Swish are accepted nearly everywhere. Bring a card.
Visby	Practically cashless	Practically cashless; cards are accepted everywhere including farm shops. Carry a card, not cash.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Sweden?

Not expected. Rounding up or 5–10% for good table service is common; nothing at counters.

Is Sweden cashless?

Practically cashless. Practically cashless: many cafés and shops refuse cash and city buses don't take it. A contactless card or phone covers everything.

What currency does Sweden use?

The Krona (SEK). US$1 ≈ kr10.04 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.