Paying in Sweden: Cards, Cash and Swish
Paying in Sweden: cards work almost everywhere, cash is often no longer accepted and Swish is not available to tourists. What travellers should know.
In Sweden the easiest way to pay is with a contactless Visa or Mastercard. Cash is rarely needed, and the popular Swish app is generally not open to tourists. This guide explains what travellers should know before they go. Updated: October 2026.
Currency: krona, not euro
Sweden has not adopted the euro. You pay in Swedish kronor (SEK), and shops generally do not accept euros. When paying by card, choose to be charged in the local currency and decline the terminal’s offer to convert to euros, because that often applies a worse exchange rate.
Cards are the standard
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, usually contactless or via Apple Pay and Google Pay. American Express is taken in hotels and larger shops but not everywhere. Even small amounts are paid by card, for example at parking machines and on public transport. Make sure your card is enabled for use abroad, and check beforehand whether foreign-currency fees apply.
Cash: often no longer necessary
Many cafés, shops, museums and transport operators no longer accept cash, usually shown by a “kontantfri” sign. Larger supermarkets mostly still accept notes and coins. Petrol stations can often only be used with a card, which matters especially for motorhome drivers. A small reserve in kronor can be useful for rural cafés or small ferries but is not a must. Cash machines still exist.
Do you still have old krona notes from earlier trips? Then read our report on the deadline for exchanging old kronor.
Swish: not usable for tourists
Swish is the payment app you see everywhere in Sweden, at market stalls, in taxis and for private sales. According to several travel portals, using Swish requires a Swedish bank account, a Swedish personnummer and Swedish BankID. Tourists do not have these. So always plan on paying by card. If a car park or pitch offers Swish, ask on the spot if there is another way to pay.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Sweden because service is included in the price. Many guests simply round up in restaurants.
Quick checklist
- Bring a contactless Visa or Mastercard, ideally one without fees for payments abroad.
- Always have payments charged in kronor.
- A small cash reserve in kronor is optional.
- Don’t rely on Swish.
For more on trip preparation, see our frequently asked questions about Sweden and the guide Travel to Sweden.