🇸🇪
Essential apps for
Sweden
Sverige
SwedishSEK5 apps
Sweden is almost fully cashless. Bolt is the main rideshare, and Foodora handles delivery. Most Swedes speak excellent English.
🔌
Power & Plug
TypeC / F
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz
Standard European.
💬
Basic phrases
Swedish
- HelloHejhey
- Thank youTacktack
- Excuse me / SorryUrsäktaoor-SHEK-ta
- YesJayah
- NoNejney
+10 more below
🎎
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Sweden, as service is included in prices; rounding up the restaurant bill or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is a friendly gesture but never obligatory. Taxi drivers and hotel staff likewise do not rely on tips.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →💳Payments & Wallets
See all →🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →Phrases
All Swedish phrases
Hello
Hej
hey
Thank you
Tack
tack
Excuse me / Sorry
Ursäkta
oor-SHEK-ta
Yes
Ja
yah
No
Nej
ney
Please
Tack
tack
Goodbye
Hej då
hey doh
How much?
Hur mycket kostar det?
hoor MEE-keh KOS-tar deh
Where is the bathroom?
Var är toaletten?
var air too-ah-LET-en
The check, please
Notan, tack
NOO-tan, tack
I don't understand
Jag förstår inte
yah fur-STOAR IN-teh
Do you speak English?
Talar du engelska?
TAH-lar doo ENG-el-ska
Help!
Hjälp!
yelp
Delicious
Utsökt
OOT-surkt
Cheers
Skål
skoal
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Remove your shoes when entering someone's home; it is a near-universal custom
- Value personal space and quietness in public; keep your voice down on trains and avoid small talk with strangers
- Be punctual for meetings and social plans, as lateness is considered rude
- Queue patiently and take a numbered ticket (kölapp) in shops, pharmacies, and offices
- Embrace the fika ritual, a relaxed coffee-and-pastry break, when invited
- Split the bill evenly when dining out, as Swedes commonly pay their own share
✕Don't
- Don't boast or show off wealth and status; Swedish culture values modesty (the concept of Jantelagen)
- Don't jump queues or skip the ticket-number system
- Don't be overly loud, pushy, or confrontational in public
- Don't assume cash is accepted; Sweden is largely cashless, so carry a card
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Overpriced or unmetered taxis at airports and tourist spots, especially fake taxis without a clearly displayed price comparison sticker
- Card-skimming devices on ATMs and ticket machines in busy transit areas
- Petty pickpocketing and bag theft in crowded Stockholm areas like Gamla Stan, T-Centralen, and on public transport
- Fake charity petitioners asking you to sign and then demanding a donation
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