Can I pay with cash in Sweden? – Routes North (2024)

FAQs

Can I pay with cash in Sweden? – Routes North? ›

It may only be a couple of dollars for each transaction, but if you're using your card to pay for lunch, dinner, taxis, drinks and entrance fees, the charges can quickly add up. Fortunately cash is still accepted in lots of places – especially at smaller businesses like cafés, bars and food trucks.

Can I use cash in Sweden? Yes, but not all shops, vendors and such accept cash as payment anymore, so a mix of cash and a credit/debit card is recommended. Read the answers from Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) for frequently asked questions about notes and coins.

Local currencies

The different currencies can generally not be used across the borders. In Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, Euro and US Dollars might be accepted by bigger hotel chains but they are not commonly accepted.

Using credit cards and debit cards in Sweden

All major cards are widely accepted, with retailers, hotels, and even taxis and ticket kiosks taking cards. Occasionally, you'll come across restrictions on American Express, as with elsewhere in Europe.

This is one of the key reasons why Sweden is more cashless than other countries — because of its legal framework. “Even though cash is a legal tender, contract laws have a higher precedence than banking and payment laws here.”

Under the Sveriges Riksbank Act, cash is legal tender in Sweden, which means that it is to be accepted as payment everywhere. But the rule can be waived by agreement by shops, restaurants, etc., via what is known as freedom of contract.

Carrying a bit of cash is not a bad idea. Here is what I do, personally, and recommend to all my North-American clients: If you are visiting multiple Scandinavian countries (you should!), get, in local currency, the equivalent of 100 USD (or CAD) per person in your group when you enter the country.

Cash money was used in roughly 13 percent of all retail payments in Sweden, making it more of a cashless society than others. This according to estimations based on the available data regarding cash withdrawals and payment transactions.

Should I bring cash to Sweden? ›

Cash is used less in Sweden than in the UK, and a growing number of shops, cafes and restaurants do not accept cash. Having a debit or credit card is essential for many transactions.

If you use internet banking you can pay bills from a computer. Bills have a number to Bank Giro or Plus Giro account. You then type in the account number you are paying to via internet banking. Read more on the Hallå Konsument website about paying bills.