Yes, you can absolutely use Apple Pay in Stockholm, as Sweden is a highly digital, near-cashless society. Apple Pay is widely accepted for payments in almost all shops, restaurants, cafes, and for public transport, including metro, buses, and commuter trains.
You can also use digital contactless cards in digital wallets such as Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Fidesmo Pay. The contactless card must be connected to one of the following card networks: Mastercard, Visa or American Express.
You can usually pay with card, except in, say, temporary market stands. In most of those cases, you can pay with the ``Swish'' app (a kind of immediate bank transfer) in your phone. Also, some buses don't take cards (or just their own).
In major cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg, many shops, restaurants, and even public transport systems are card-only. But having cash on you is always a good idea. You'll find Bankomats (ATMs) if needed, or you can buy Swedish kronor before you travel.
When travelling to Sweden, it's a good idea to have both cash and a card on hand. Credit or debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere — from restaurants and shops to public transport. Many Swedes use contactless payments or mobile payment systems like Swish.
Cash is increasingly less used in Stockholm and Sweden. Many shops and establishments now accept only credit or debit cards, even for something as small as a coffee!
Sweden is one of the countries that is paving the way for a cashless society. According to Riksbank's 2024 Payments Report, just 10% of in‑store purchases in Sweden were made in cash during 2023, confirming that around 90% of transactions are digital.
While Sweden is a member of the European Union, it has not adopted the euro. Consequently, euros and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted in cash transactions. It's advisable to use Swedish kronor for all purchases.
No cash needed: The official currency of Sweden is SEK (There's no need to exchange a lot of currency – Stockholm is in large parts a cash-free city. Although you'll find ATMs (recognized by teal/blue-green-colored signs reading "Bankomat"), many restaurants, shops, and hotels don't accept bills or coins.
Swish is a massively popular mobile payment app that is essential for life in Sweden. It allows for real-time P2P and merchant payments linked directly to a user's bank account. Sweden is a highly cashless society where cards are a dominant payment method for all transactions.
Klarna now available on Apple Pay in Denmark, Spain, and Sweden with France to follow. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, announced today that its flexible payment products are now available when checking out on Apple Pay in Denmark, Spain, Sweden.
In the survey Payment habits of Swedish people, debit cards were the most common payment method followed by Swish, see figure 2. Services that integrate cards into mobile phones are also becoming more common, leading to a decrease in the use of physical cards. Examples of such services are Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Tipping in Sweden is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you're in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.
The SL app can load single-trip and multi-day travel tickets onto your phone. You can also use contactless payment by tapping your credit or debit card at the turnstiles.
If you're not sure, just ask. Apple Pay works anywhere that takes contactless payments — from vending machines and grocery stores to taxis and subway stations.
Vipps MobilePay is now live with contactless payments in all its markets – Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The Nordic wallet is now enabling users all over the Nordics to make fast, secure, and simple in-store purchases all over the world by simply tapping their phone.
While the majority of Swedish cities and tourist areas typically accept debit cards, some smaller shops, local vendors, or remote locations might only accept cash, even though that's uncommon. Carrying some Swedish Krona for these situations is always a good idea.
Dining in Stockholm can be costly, but there's a wide range of options to suit different budgets. The average daily food cost for tourists is around $37 per person, though this can vary significantly based on your choices.
Sweden, for example, is one of the most cashless societies in the world. Major credit cards will be accepted widely (with some exceptions), so you don't need to bring too much cash. You'll find that mobile payments, like Apple Pay, are also widely accepted in the major cities.
As of mid-January 2026, 1 Swedish Krona (SEK) is worth approximately 0.093 Euros (€), meaning you need around 10.70 Kronor to get 1 Euro, though rates fluctuate daily, so always check a current converter for the exact rate.
Both the ISO code "SEK" and currency sign "kr" are in common use for the krona; the former precedes or follows the value, the latter usually follows it but, especially in the past, it sometimes preceded the value. In English, the currency is sometimes referred to as the Swedish crown, as krona means "crown" in Swedish.
Sweden's biggest issue is widely considered to be rising gang violence and crime, leading to significant public concern, especially in urban areas, alongside challenges in healthcare access, integration of immigrants, and the welfare system, with environmental concerns also prominent. The surge in lethal shootings and bombings linked to criminal networks has prompted tough government responses, while debates continue over migration policies and social cohesion.
Today, the country is once again leading a financial revolution — this time by nearly eliminating cash altogether. According to the Swedish central bank, only 8% of the population used cash in 2022, and the amount of physical currency in circulation has dropped by half since 2007.
Sweden has officially become the first country in the world to go completely cashless. Almost every shop, café, and public transport system in Sweden now accepts only digital payments like cards or mobile apps. The popular app “Swish,” launched in 2012, is used by millions of Swedes to send and receive money instantly.
