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Swedish Krona (SEK)

Swedish Krona · kr · Official currency of Sweden

History

The Swedish krona (kr) was introduced in 1873 with the formation of the Scandinavian Monetary Union. 'Krona' means 'crown' in Swedish, sharing its origin with the Norwegian and Danish krone.

Banknote Denominations

Six denominations circulate: kr20, kr50, kr100, kr200, kr500, and kr1,000, notably featuring Swedish cultural figures such as writers and film directors.

Traveler Tips

Sweden is often cited as one of the most cashless societies in the world — card and mobile payments (like Swish) are so dominant that many shops don't accept cash at all. As a traveler, you often don't need much cash on hand as long as you have a card that works internationally. That said, some small flea markets or rural areas may still expect cash, so it's safe to keep a little on you.

Issuing authority
Sveriges Riksbank
Introduced
Founded 1668 (the world's oldest central bank)
Sub-unit
1 krona = 100 öre (effectively unused today)

You can view the real banknote designs on the Sveriges Riksbank's official page.

See Swedish Krona banknotes at today's exchange rate →