Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 27.7% APR (variable).
Sweden is a popular destination for design aficionados, Abba fans and those seeking to view the Northern Lights. Whether you’re exploring the northern wilderness or soaking up the culture of the cities, Sweden can be pretty steep so it’s worth knowing the best way to pay.
The Scandinavian nation is leading the way internationally with cashless transactions. Most of the country’s banks have stopped handling cash while many restaurants, shops and museums are only accepting mobile or card payments. Credit cards with Visa or Mastercard branding are accepted widely at banks, hotels, stores, restaurants, taxis and car rental companies. While acceptance of American Express cards is less common, even fewer establishments accept Diners Club cards.
The Swedish currency is the Swedish krona (SEK), not the euro. The currency went through some huge changes in 2017, with many of their coins and notes completely changed. If you have older krona (20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 notes and silver 1, 2 and 5 krona coins), they are likely to be invalid.
Cirrus, Plus, Maestro and other networks provide connectivity to cash machines across Scandinavia, so you can use your Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card to withdraw money.
Banks in Sweden impose fees when non-customers use their ATMs, and the fee is usually higher for international cards. This fee is in addition to the fee that your bank might charge.
The popularity of cash in Sweden has dropped significantly in recent years with the country becoming one of the most cashless societies on the planet. Some places have stopped accepting cash altogether and you’re likely to see many signs in shop windows saying “no cash accepted”. Be aware also that public transport in Stockholm and Gothenburg no longer accepts cash.
Find a great deal on your travel money for Sweden
Chip and PIN (Personal Identification Number) is the most common form of payment method in Sweden, exactly the same as in the UK. Simply insert your card and enter your four digit PIN.
Before flying to Sweden, make sure your credit card has a chip and PIN. The older magnetic-stripe cards won’t work.
Depending on the card you use, you might end up paying different kinds of fees when you use it outside of the UK.
British credit card issuers typically charge a fee equivalent to 1% to 3% of your transaction, so carefully review your card’s fine print to avoid statement surprises. Some cards designed for travel come with no foreign transaction fees, so this could be a good time to switch.
What should you do if a merchant in Sweden asks you whether you want your card to be swiped in UK sterling? You always say no. If your card is swiped in UK sterling outside of the UK, you become subject to dynamic currency conversion. In this case, there is no telling what exchange rate you will get, and a good chance you will need to pay a currency conversion fee as well.
Using your credit card to get a cash advance is not recommended and you may think about doing this only in an emergency. While you’ll need to pay a cash advance fee, the cash advance APR is usually noticeably higher than the APR for purchases. Besides, you’ll need to start paying interest from the day of the transaction.
The table below serves as an example of how much extra you may pay to use your credit card in Sweden.
Using credit cards in Sweden is largely safe, although it’s best that you exercise some caution.
While crime levels in Sweden are low, instances of petty crime are not uncommon. Petty theft and pickpocketing are common in Stockholm’s Old Town, popular tourist destinations, museums, amusement parks, public transport, bars and restaurants. Don’t leave your bag or purse unattended in hotel breakfast rooms or in parked cars.
Learn more about cards designed for overseas spending
You should find using your credit card easier than cash when you’re in Sweden, and by asking yourself these simple questions you can look forward to a relatively smooth trip.
Using a UK credit card will present no significant problems in Sweden, especially if you’re using a Visa or Mastercard credit card. What you need to look for is the most cost-effective option.
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Can you use a UK debit card to make payments in Sweden without incurring a fee?
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Generally, when you use your debit card outside of UK, you will almost always be charged a foreign usage fee for making purchases and for withdrawing money abroad. When paying in Sweden by card, keep in mind to always choose local currency (instead of home currency) so the exchange rate will be more beneficial to you.
The fees involving using a debit card outside UK may depend on the card you use, so it’s best to contact your bank to know the possible fees you may incur when you use your debit card in Sweden.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse