The Swedish currency is the crown or kronor. Unlike most other EU countries Sweden voted in a 2003 referendum not to switch to the Euro. In April 2008 one Swedish kronor was worth just under 11 euro cents. Bank notes are printed in values of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 kronor. Coins are 50 öre, 1, 5 and 10 kronor. 1000 kronor notes are not very common however and forgeries are in circulation, so try to avoid them.

You can buy Swedish kronor before your departure from your local bank, but it’s safer to change most of your money once you are in Sweden. All major Swedish airports have an exchange desk. In Stockholm you will find cash dispensers in the shopping districts and if your debit or credit card bears the Maestro or Cirrus logo you can withdraw money from most Swedish cash dispensers. You can also change money in banks. Good exchange rates are offered by Forex, which has an office at the central station in Stockholm and in the NK department store (Hamngatan). Another good place is X-Change in the PUB department store (Drottninggatan 72).

Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants all over Sweden although small cafés may not accept them. Visa and Mastercard are the most common. American Express is not always accepted.

Euros are accepted at the bigger stores, but the exchange rate may not be favourable.

Links to the major Swedish banks with English websites:

• http://taz.vv.sebank.se
• http://www.swedbank.com
• http://www.nordea.com