Stockholm currency is the Swedish krona (SEK) — not the euro, despite Sweden being an EU member. The honest answer for most travelers is that you barely need to think about Stockholm currency at all because Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world. A contactless credit or debit card handles 99% of payments. Cash machines exist but are increasingly hard to find, many shops have stopped accepting cash entirely, and Apple Pay and Google Pay work universally. The Stockholm currency reality in 2026: bring a card, leave your wallet of bills at home.
This guide covers Stockholm currency in operating detail — what the krona is, current exchange rates, how to handle money in the city’s cashless economy, where you’ll still need cash (rare), the tipping etiquette, ATMs and currency exchange options, the Systembolaget alcohol monopoly’s hours, the tax-free refund process for non-EU tourists, and the practical money tips that save real SEK on a Stockholm trip.
What is the Stockholm currency?
The official Stockholm currency is the Swedish krona (plural: kronor), abbreviated as SEK or kr in everyday usage. The krona is divided into 100 öre, but öre coins are no longer in circulation — prices round to the nearest krona at the till.
Sweden joined the EU in 1995 but voted to keep the krona in a 2003 referendum. Despite ongoing political debate, the krona remains the only legal tender. The Stockholm currency is exclusively the krona. Don’t try to pay in euros — most shops won’t accept them, and those that do offer poor exchange rates.
Banknotes come in 20 SEK, 50 SEK, 100 SEK, 200 SEK, 500 SEK, and 1,000 SEK denominations. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, and 10 SEK. The current series of banknotes was introduced in 2015–2016 and features Swedish cultural figures (Astrid Lindgren on the 20, Greta Garbo on the 100, Ingmar Bergman on the 200, etc.).
Stockholm currency exchange rates (2026)
Approximate 2026 exchange rates against the Swedish krona:
1 USD ≈ 10–11 SEK. Stable around this level for the past several years; check current rate before flying.
1 EUR ≈ 11–12 SEK.
1 GBP ≈ 13–14 SEK.
1 CAD ≈ 7.5–8.5 SEK.
1 AUD ≈ 7–7.5 SEK.
1 NOK ≈ 1 SEK (Norwegian krone roughly parity with Swedish krona).
1 DKK ≈ 1.5 SEK.
Quick math for travelers: SEK prices ÷ 10 ≈ USD. A 250 SEK lunch ≈ $25.
Cards or cash in Stockholm?
Cards win. Sweden is one of the world’s most cashless countries — about 80% of all transactions are now cardless or contactless. Cash use has declined steadily for a decade. In central Stockholm, you can spend a week without touching a Swedish krona note.
Where cards work (essentially everywhere):
• All restaurants, cafés, and bars
• All hotels and accommodations
• All public transport (tap contactless at metro gates)
• All taxis (regulated and Bolt/Uber)
• All shops including small boutiques, convenience stores, and Pressbyrån
• All museum and attraction tickets
• Most farmers’ markets and food halls
• Most outdoor flea markets (Hornstulls Marknad)
Where cash might still be needed:
• A handful of public restrooms (5–10 SEK, but most also take contactless)
• Some traditional cash-only restaurants in Söder (rare, perhaps 3–5 in the whole city)
• Tip jars at small bars (rounding up a card payment is more common)
• Donation boxes at churches or museums
• A few independent bus operators on excursions (most accept cards)
The practical recommendation: bring a contactless credit/debit card with no foreign transaction fees, plus a small backup of 200–500 SEK cash for the rare cash-only encounter. You’ll likely return with most of the cash.
Best cards to use in Stockholm
Visa and Mastercard: universally accepted. Use whichever you have.
American Express: accepted at most upscale restaurants, hotels, and chain stores; smaller boutiques and casual restaurants sometimes don’t take Amex. Have a Visa/Mastercard backup.
Apple Pay / Google Pay: work universally — at metro gates, in restaurants, in shops, at vending machines.
Discover, Diners Club: rarely accepted in Sweden. Skip.
Best traveler cards (no foreign transaction fees + favorable exchange rates):
US: Charles Schwab debit, Capital One Venture, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Bank of America Travel Rewards.
UK: Monzo, Starling, Revolut, Wise card.
EU: most banks have eliminated FX fees within Europe.
Australia: Wise, ING Orange Everyday, Macquarie Transaction.
Avoid: Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). At payment terminals you’ll sometimes see a choice: “Pay in SEK” or “Pay in USD/EUR/GBP/etc.” Always pick SEK. The DCC option charges a worse exchange rate than your bank.
ATMs in Stockholm (Bankomat)
If you do need cash, ATMs are called Bankomat in Sweden. They’re operated by banks (SEB, Handelsbanken, Nordea, Swedbank) and a shared network. Bankomats are increasingly rare — Stockholm has about 350 across the city, down from over 1,000 a decade ago.
Where to find Bankomats:
• Inside or outside major bank branches in Norrmalm and Östermalm
• At Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda Airport
• Major shopping centers (Mall of Scandinavia, Sturegallerian)
• Some convenience stores (occasionally)
Withdrawal limits: most Bankomats have per-withdrawal limits of 5,000–10,000 SEK; daily limits often 15,000 SEK.
Fees: Bankomats themselves don’t charge fees, but your home bank may charge international ATM fees (often $3–5 per withdrawal) plus FX markup. Check your bank’s policy before using.
Safety: use ATMs inside or attached to bank branches when possible to reduce skimming risk. Card-skimmers do occur but are rare in Sweden.
Currency exchange in Stockholm
The honest advice: don’t bother exchanging currency before flying or at the airport. The exchange rates are poor and the fees high. Use your card directly.
If you need to exchange cash (e.g., from a connecting trip elsewhere):
Forex Bank: largest Swedish currency exchange chain. Branches at Arlanda Airport, Central Station, and several central locations. Rates are 2–4% worse than the inter-bank rate.
X-change: also at Arlanda and major hotels. Similar rates to Forex.
Hotels: many central hotels offer currency exchange but at the worst rates (4–8% markup).
Banks: SEB, Nordea, and Swedbank can exchange at good rates but require an account or take longer to process.
Best alternative: just withdraw SEK from a Bankomat using your home card. The total cost is usually less than exchanging.
Tipping etiquette in Stockholm
Sweden has a relatively light tipping culture compared to the US:
Restaurants: 5–10% if the service was good. Service is generally not included in the bill but workers earn a living wage. 10% is generous.
Bars and cafés: round up the bill or leave small change. No expectation of percentage tips.
Taxis: rounding up to the nearest 10 SEK is appreciated but not required. Bolt/Uber include tipping options in-app.
Hotel staff:
• Bellhops: 20–50 SEK per bag if they help with luggage
• Concierge: 50–100 SEK for substantial help with reservations or recommendations
• Housekeeping: 10–20 SEK per night left in the room (optional)
• Room service: 5–10% if service charge isn’t included
Tour guides: 50–100 SEK per person for a half-day tour. Free walking tours rely on tips — 50–150 SEK is standard.
Hairdressers, spas: 10% is generous. Often included.
Where you don’t tip:
• Public transport drivers
• Counter-service food staff
• Self-service food halls and cafeterias
• Most retail staff
• Bartenders during normal service (rounding up is fine)
Tipping is optional, not socially mandatory. A polite “Tack så mycket” matters more than a tip.
Stockholm prices: what things cost in SEK
Quick reference for what 1 SEK, 10 SEK, 100 SEK actually buy:
Under 100 SEK ($10):
• Coffee at a café (35–55 SEK)
• A pastry/cinnamon bun (35–55 SEK)
• A pint of supermarket beer at Systembolaget (40–60 SEK)
• A single metro fare (42 SEK)
• A 7-Eleven sandwich (75–95 SEK)
100–250 SEK ($10–25):
• Casual lunch / saluhall meal (110–170 SEK)
• Dagens lunch (the daily lunch deal, 130–185 SEK)
• A museum admission (150–250 SEK)
• A 24-hour SL transit pass (175 SEK)
• A bottle of wine at Systembolaget (90–180 SEK)
• A craft beer at a bar (75–95 SEK)
250–500 SEK ($25–50):
• Casual dinner main course (250–450 SEK)
• A Vasa or Skansen ticket (220–250 SEK)
• Arlanda Express one-way (320 SEK)
• A 7-day SL transit pass (450 SEK)
• A cocktail at a flagship bar (175–225 SEK)
• An Arlanda taxi (580–750 SEK)
500+ SEK ($50+):
• Mid-tier dinner (450–750 SEK per person)
• Hotel night, mid-range (2,200–3,500 SEK per night)
• Fine-dining tasting menu (1,200–3,000+ SEK)
• Acne Studios flagship piece (2,500–8,000 SEK)
• Sandhamns Värdshus archipelago overnight (3,500+ SEK)
Systembolaget — the alcohol monopoly
Sweden has a state monopoly on alcohol over 3.5% — only Systembolaget stores and bars/restaurants can sell beer above 3.5%, wine, and spirits. This affects how you handle Stockholm currency around alcohol:
Hours: Mon–Wed 10–18, Thu–Fri 10–19, Sat 10–15. Closed Sundays. Plan accordingly.
Prices: alcohol at Systembolaget is much cheaper than at restaurants. A bottle of wine that costs 150 SEK at Systembolaget often costs 600–900 SEK at a restaurant.
Age: 20 to buy at Systembolaget. ID is checked.
Alcohol at supermarkets: only “folköl” (folk beer) at 3.5% or less is sold at supermarkets. Wine and spirits are not.
Strategy for travelers: buy bottles at Systembolaget for hotel/Airbnb consumption, drink at restaurants in moderation. The bar markup on alcohol is steep.
Tax-free shopping (VAT refund) for non-EU tourists
If you live outside the EU (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.), you can claim back the 25% Swedish VAT (moms) on purchases over 200 SEK from participating stores. The system works through Global Blue and Planet Tax Free — both have refund desks at Arlanda Airport.
How it works:
1. Show your passport at checkout and ask for a tax-free form. Most major stores (NK, Åhléns, Acne Studios, Filippa K, Svenskt Tenn, etc.) participate.
2. Take the form, your receipt, and your unworn purchases to the tax-refund desk at Arlanda Airport — Terminal 5 between check-in and security — before checking your luggage.
3. Get the form stamped (sometimes after a customs inspection of the goods).
4. Receive your refund — credited to your card (5–7 days) or paid in cash at the airport (with a small fee).
Realistic refund: After Global Blue’s processing fee, you’ll typically receive 16–18% of the purchase price back, not the full 25%. Still worthwhile on a 5,000 SEK Acne coat (~800 SEK refund) but not worth the hassle for small purchases.
Caveats: The goods must be unworn, with tags, in your carry-on (not checked) for inspection. UK residents qualify post-Brexit. EU residents do not.
Stockholm currency hacks for travelers
Use the SL contactless cap. Tap your contactless credit card at metro gates. The system caps daily charges at 175 SEK — same as a 24-hour pass — and 7-day rolling cap at 450 SEK. Skip buying day passes upfront unless you’ll definitely use enough rides.
Always pay in SEK at terminals. Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Your bank’s exchange rate is better than the merchant’s.
Use the dagens lunch deal. 130–185 SEK gets you a hot lunch (main + salad + bread + water + coffee) at most restaurants Mon–Fri 11:30–14:00. Best food-value in Stockholm.
Buy alcohol at Systembolaget for hotel consumption. Bar prices are 4–5x retail.
Drink tap water at restaurants. It’s free and excellent.
Skip the harbor sightseeing boats. The Djurgården SL ferry (free with metro pass) and Waxholmsbolaget archipelago ferries deliver the same views at a fraction the price.
Use saluhalls for variety lunches. Östermalm Saluhall, Hötorget, K25 — all offer multiple food vendors at fair prices.
Shop sales periods. Major sales (rea) run mid-late June to mid-July (summer rea) and mid-late December to late January (winter rea). 30–70% off is standard.
Tax-free for substantial purchases. The 16–18% effective refund matters on a 5,000+ SEK purchase. Below 1,000 SEK, the paperwork isn’t worth the time saving.
Carrying money safely in Stockholm
Use anti-pickpocket bags in T-Centralen and Gamla Stan. Cross-body bags worn in front are simple defense.
Cards in front pocket, not back pocket, in crowded tourist areas.
Don’t flash large amounts of cash. Almost no Swede pays cash for anything; if you’re displaying a wad of bills you stand out.
Multiple cards in different places. Keep one card in your hotel safe as backup.
Use ATMs inside bank branches rather than free-standing machines.
Photo backup of card numbers stored separately (encrypted on cloud or paper in hotel safe). If lost, you can cancel cards faster.
Stockholm money mistakes first-time visitors make
Bringing too much cash. Sweden is cashless. 200–500 SEK cash backup is plenty.
Exchanging currency at the airport. Forex/X-change rates are 2–4% worse than your bank’s. Skip and use a card.
Accepting Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). Always select “Pay in SEK” at terminals.
Paying with cash at restaurants. Many no longer accept it. Use a card.
Not informing your bank you’re traveling. Foreign transactions trigger fraud holds. Set a travel notice on your card before flying.
Using DEEP foreign transaction fee cards. Some US bank cards charge 3% on foreign purchases. Bring a 0%-FX card or expect to pay extra.
Tipping like an American. 20% on a Stockholm restaurant bill is overtipping. 10% is generous.
Not knowing Systembolaget hours. Sunday alcohol cravings = restaurant prices.
Ignoring the tax-free refund. If you’re shopping at NK or buying Acne Studios, get the form. 16–18% back is meaningful.
Trying to pay in euros. The euro is not accepted in Stockholm (with rare exceptions at hotels at terrible rates). Use SEK.
Frequently asked questions
What currency is used in Stockholm?
The Swedish krona (SEK), not the euro. Sweden is in the EU but kept its own currency. Notes come in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 SEK; coins in 1, 2, 5, and 10 SEK.
Can I use euros in Stockholm?
No — most Stockholm shops won’t accept euros, and those that do offer poor exchange rates. The Stockholm currency is exclusively the Swedish krona. Use a card or change to SEK.
Should I bring cash to Stockholm?
Bring 200–500 SEK as backup. Sweden is functionally cashless — most shops, restaurants, and museums no longer accept cash. A contactless credit/debit card handles 99% of payments.
What’s the best way to get Swedish kronor?
Withdraw from a Bankomat (Swedish ATM) using your home card for the best exchange rate. Skip airport currency exchange (Forex/X-change rates are 2–4% worse). Best is to not exchange at all and use a card directly.
Are credit cards widely accepted in Stockholm?
Yes — universally. Visa and Mastercard work everywhere; American Express works at most places but not all small boutiques. Apple Pay and Google Pay work universally including at metro gates.
What’s the tipping etiquette in Stockholm?
Light. Restaurants: 5–10% if service was good. Bars and cafés: round up. Hotel bellhops: 20–50 SEK. No expectation of percentage tips on most casual interactions. Service workers earn living wages.
How much cash should I carry in Stockholm?
200–500 SEK is plenty for backup. Most days you won’t use it. Public restrooms (5–10 SEK), tip jars, and rare cash-only restaurants are the only places you’ll spend cash.
Do Stockholm ATMs charge fees?
The Bankomats themselves don’t charge fees, but your home bank may charge international ATM fees ($3–5) plus FX markup. Check your bank’s policy. Best traveler cards (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut) charge no foreign ATM fees.
What’s Dynamic Currency Conversion and should I accept it?
At payment terminals, you may see a choice: “Pay in SEK” or “Pay in your home currency.” Always pick SEK. DCC charges a worse exchange rate than your bank’s.
How does the Stockholm tax-free refund work?
Tourists from outside the EU can reclaim ~16–18% (after fees) of the purchase price on items over 200 SEK from participating stores. Show your passport at checkout to get a Global Blue or Planet Tax Free form, then validate at the Arlanda Airport tax-refund desk before checking luggage. Goods must be unworn and in carry-on.
For trip cost details, see how much does a trip to Stockholm cost. For the broader practical context, see Stockholm travel tips. For first-time visitor orientation, see first time in Stockholm. For shopping context, see our Stockholm shopping guide.
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