Practical Info A-Z

Sweden is the most cashless country in the world. Less than 1% of all transactions are made with cash. Many shops, restaurants, buses, and even church collections no longer accept cash.

What does this mean for travelers?

• Credit card is a MUST: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere — in the subway, at the kiosk, at the market, in taxis. Without a credit card, you're lost in Sweden.
• Contactless payment: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Many terminals accept only contactless payments.
• Swish: The Swedish payment app (similar to PayPal) used by 90% of the population. Unfortunately, only usable with a Swedish bank account — not available for tourists.
• ATMs (Bankomat): Becoming rarer, but still available in larger cities. Caution: Some third-party ATMs (Euronet) have high fees.
• Tipping: Not obligatory. In restaurants, 5–10% is customary for good service (just round up when paying by card). Not expected in cafés and bars.

Sweden is an EU member and part of the Schengen Area.

• Germans, Austrians, Swiss: ID card or passport is sufficient. No visa required.
• Border controls: Sweden has been conducting temporary border controls since 2015 — mainly at the Öresund Bridge (Copenhagen–Malmö) and ferry ports. Carry your ID card!
• Stay: Unlimited for EU citizens (registration required after 3 months).
• Customs: EU standard regulations. EU quantity limits for alcohol and tobacco apply upon entry (but strict sales rules apply in Sweden itself — → Systembolaget).

On holidays, shops are often closed or have reduced opening hours. Restaurants and tourist facilities remain open.

Sweden is one of the safest countries in the world. Medical care is excellent.

Medical Care

• The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is accepted
• Vårdcentral (health center): The first point of contact for non-acute complaints. Co-payment: 200–350 SEK (17–30 €)
• Akutmottagning (emergency room): For emergencies. Co-payment: approx. 400 SEK (35 €)
• Pharmacies (Apotek): Well-stocked. Apotek Hjärtat and Apoteket are the largest chains
• 1177 Vårdguiden: Telephone health advice service — 24/7, also in English

Emergency Numbers

Special Health Tips

• Ticks (Fästingar): Common from April to October in southern and central Sweden. Can transmit TBE and Lyme disease. TBE vaccination recommended (especially for hikers and campers). Check your body after forest visits.
• Mosquitoes in Lapland: In June and July, mosquitoes (mygg) and blackflies (knott) can be a plague in northern Sweden. Insect repellent and possibly a head net are essential.
• Tap water: Excellent quality everywhere in Sweden — refill your bottle, save plastic.

Sweden's currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK / kr). Sweden is an EU member but has not adopted the Euro (referendum 2003: 56% No).

Exchange Rate

1 EUR ≈ 11–12 SEK (as of 2026). Current rate on xe.com or in the banking app.

Payment

→ See "Cashless Society". Credit card is the standard payment method everywhere. Cash is less frequently accepted.

Money-Saving Tips

• Credit card without foreign transaction fee: Saves 1.5–2% on every payment (e.g., DKB, Trade Republic, Barclays)
• Always pay in SEK: When asked about DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion), never choose "in Euro" — the exchange rate is always worse
• Price alert: Swedish Krona fluctuates — exchange beforehand at a good rate or pay with a cheap card

Sweden has an excellent digital infrastructure — one of the most connected countries in the world.

• EU Roaming: As an EU member, the EU Roaming Regulation applies: Your German SIM card works at domestic rates — surfing, calling, SMS as at home.
• WLAN: Almost everywhere free in hotels, cafés, and restaurants. Also in many trains (SJ) and public transport.
• Mobile network: 4G/5G coverage is excellent. Telia, Tele2, and Tre are the largest providers. Even in Lapland, coverage along the roads is good — there may be gaps in the fjälls and deep forests.

North of the Arctic Circle (66.5° N, near Jokkmokk), you experience extreme light conditions:

Practical Tips

• Sleep mask: Indispensable in summer in northern Sweden — it's hard to sleep without one during 24-hour daylight.
• Blackout curtains: Most Swedish hotels and accommodations have them — if not, ask for "mörkläggningsgardiner".
• Sense of time: In the midnight sun, you lose all sense of time — a wristwatch or phone alarm helps keep meal and sleep times.

The mosquitoes (mygg) in northern Sweden are legendary — in June and July, they can become a real plague in Lapland. The swampy moorlands and long, warm days create perfect breeding conditions.

Preparation

• Insect repellent: DEET-containing products (at least 30%) or Swedish "Myggmedel" (locally available). Apply several times a day.
• Clothing: Long sleeves, long pants, light colors (dark ones attract mosquitoes). Tuck pant legs into socks.
• Head net (Mygghuva): In extreme areas (Padjelanta, Sarek), a head net can make the difference between enjoyable and unbearable.
• Timing: The worst mosquito season is mid-June to mid-July. It gets significantly better from August.
• Wind: Mosquitoes do not fly in the wind — choose open, wind-exposed spots for breaks and camps.

Alcohol over 3.5% vol. is available exclusively at Systembolaget — the state alcohol monopoly. The rules at a glance:

Opening Hours

Rules

• Minimum age for purchase (Systembolaget): 20 years (strictly controlled — have ID with you!)
• Minimum age for serving (bars/restaurants): 18 years
• Supermarket: Only light beer up to 3.5% (lättöl/folköl)
• Online order: Systembolaget also delivers — pick up at the nearest branch

Despite the restrictions: The selection at Systembolaget is excellent — one of the best wine assortments in the world, as the state buys based on quality, not margins. The advice is competent and unobtrusive.

German Embassy Stockholm

• Address: Skarpögatan 9, 115 27 Stockholm
• Phone: +46 8 670 15 00
• Web: stockholm.diplo.de
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–12:00 (Consular Section)

Austrian Embassy Stockholm

• Address: Kommendörsgatan 35, 114 58 Stockholm
• Phone: +46 8 665 17 70
• Web: bmeia.gv.at/oeb-stockholm

Swiss Embassy Stockholm

• Address: Valhallavägen 64, 114 27 Stockholm
• Phone: +46 8 676 79 00
• Web: eda.admin.ch/stockholm

Sweden's weather is changeable — in Stockholm, it can be 28°C in July and rain the next day. The onion principle (multiple layers) is a must.

Essential Packing List

Sweden-specific Packing Tips

• Lapland in winter: Thermal pants, expedition gloves (not ski gloves!), balaclava, heat pads (hand warmers), gaiters. Most activity providers supply overalls and boots — ask beforehand!
• Archipelago in summer: Swimwear, snorkeling gear (optional), waterproof bag for valuables on the ferry.
• Kungsleden: 30–40-liter backpack for day stages with hut overnight (bring a sleeping bag liner), 65-liter for tent trekking. Trekking poles essential for river crossings!
• Allemansrätten camping: Lightweight 2-person tent, sleeping mat (R-value at least 3 for Scandinavia), sleeping bag (comfort -5°C for summer in northern Sweden), camping stove + gas (not allowed on planes — buy locally at Naturkompaniet or Fjällräven).

Stockholm — SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik)

Stockholm's public transport is excellent: Tunnelbana (subway, 3 lines), buses, tram (line 7 to Djurgården), Pendeltåg (commuter train), and ferries. All through one system: SL Access Card (chip card, 20 SEK deposit) or the SL-App (most convenient option).

Important: In Stockholm's buses, you cannot pay with cash — only SL Access Card, app, or contactless credit card!

Gothenburg — Västtrafik

Tram (Gothenburg's charm!), buses, and archipelago ferries through one system. Day card: 105 SEK (9 €) — also covers ferries to the archipelago islands!

Malmö — Skånetrafiken

Buses and trains within Skåne. The Öresundståg to Copenhagen also runs on Skånetrafiken tickets.

Stockholm Pass / Go City

The Go City Stockholm Pass offers free entry to over 60 attractions (Vasa, Skansen, ABBA Museum, Fotografiska, Hop-on-Hop-off boat) and public transport included. Worth it from 3–4 museum visits per day.

Sweden's accommodation landscape is more diverse than most travelers expect — in addition to hotels, there are unique forms of accommodation:

Stuga (Holiday House/Cabin)

The Stuga (plural: stugor) is THE Swedish form of accommodation: A holiday house — often a red wooden house by the lake with its own jetty, rowboat, and sauna. Stugor are available in all price ranges: from a simple cabin without running water (300 SEK/night) to a luxury version with a whirlpool and panoramic windows (3,000+ SEK/night). Platforms: Stugknuten.com, Airbnb, Novasol. Particularly popular in Småland, Dalarna, and the archipelago. Book at least 3–6 months in advance for summer!

STF (Svenska Turistföreningen)

Sweden's equivalent to the DAV: The STF network operates hostels, fjällstationen (mountain huts on the Kungsleden and in the fjälls), and vandrarhem (hiking hostels) throughout the country. The STF membership (350 SEK/year) is worthwhile for hikers and budget travelers: Discounts on accommodations, access to the Kungsleden huts, and a network of over 350 accommodations.

Camping

Sweden has over 600 campsites (SCR-certified, searchable on camping.se). In addition, there is the Allemansrätten: Wild camping is legal! Camping prices: 200–400 SEK per night for tent/car, 500–1,200 SEK for stugor on the campsite. Campsites often have a swimming pool, playground, and kiosk — very family-friendly.

Special Accommodations