Organize your stay Sweden
Money Sweden
The unit of currency is the krona. The krona is abbreviated as "kr" or "SEK" in stores. For banks and international trade, the abbreviation is SEK. Banknotes are 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner. Coins are 1, 2, 5 or 10 kroner. Although Sweden was the first country to introduce banknotes in 1668, it is now considering whether to launch its "e-currency", an electronic version of the Swedish krona that would make it possible to stop using cash.
If you have a bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), there is no need to carry large amounts of cash. In cases where the card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM. Remember to tell your bank advisor about your trip. He or she will be able to verify with you the limit on your payment and withdrawal limits. If necessary, ask for an exceptional authorization to increase the limit
Exchange rate: 1 Swedish crown = 0.099 €. 1 € = 10.15 SEK.
Budget & Tips Sweden
Low budget: SEK 600 per day per person.
Medium budget: SEK 1,200 per day per person.
Large budget: more than 2,200 SEK per day per person.
Passport and visas Sweden
For a stay of less than 3 months, a valid national identity card or passport is sufficient for the duration of the stay and allows access to the territory without a visa.
Advice. Before leaving, remember to photocopy all the documents you will be taking with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. This will make it much easier for you to renew your documents with the consular authorities if they are lost or stolen. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). All you have to do is create an account and scan all your identity documents and other important documents in the confidential area.
Driver's license Sweden
For motorists, the green card (international insurance) is no longer mandatory, but recommended. Your car must carry the nationality plate (F for France, B for Belgium and CH for Switzerland). Apart from that, you only need a French or European driving license to be able to drive.
Health Sweden
You must obtain a European Health Insurance Card from your health insurance company at least 15 days before your departure. For more information, consult the Health Insurance website.
Possibly take out insurance, because the costs incurred in the event of illness, serious accident or death can reach a substantial amount. You can therefore take out travel insurance before you leave. Note that some credit cards include travel and health insurance that is automatically included in the cardholder's policy. Check the conditions, requirements and restrictions of this type of insurance before you leave. In general, remember to be informed, to bring your insurance documents with you, to give them to your travel agent and to give a copy to a friend or family member before travelling abroad.
Mandatory vaccination Sweden
There are no major risks when traveling to Sweden. However, make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Vaccination against Central European Tick Encephalitis is recommended in forested areas. As the disease is transmitted by tick bites, it is recommended to be careful when walking in the forest between April and October.
Security Sweden
Sweden is a very quiet country and the crime rate remains quite low. If you walk around Stockholm at night, for example, you will quickly realize that the place is rather peaceful, compared to other large European cities.
On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, travelers are advised to be extra vigilant against pickpockets in the center of major cities (train stations, cafés, restaurants, hotels). A significant increase in thefts of bags containing identity papers has been noted. Burglaries of motor homes parked at freeway service areas have been reported throughout the country. The break-ins take place during the night and involve the theft of identity papers, cash and cheque books or bank cards.
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Advice to travelers" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs). Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that it sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Time difference Sweden
There is no time difference between Sweden and France. Sweden adopts the same winter and summer time.
Spoken languages Sweden
Swedish is spoken throughout the country, with great differences in accent from north to south, but there are no different dialects to speak of. In Lapland, the Sami speak their own language, but you will rarely hear it (there are only 17,000 Sami in Sweden and they travel most of the year with their reindeer herds). English is widely spoken, by everyone and often very well. One can even spend years in Sweden without needing to know the language, just by using English. German (mostly), French (a little) and Spanish (rarely) are also spoken.
If you want to learn Swedish, the Swedish Cultural Center in Paris offers courses for all levels. Some Swedish universities also organize summer courses for foreigners. For more information, contact the Swedish Cultural Center (11, rue Payenne - 75003 Paris - 01 44 78 80 20 - www.ccs.si.se). There is also extensive documentation in French on all aspects of modern and historical life in Sweden, which can also be consulted on the Internet site.
Communication Sweden
Phone coverage and internet quality are excellent in Sweden, so you won't have any problems communicating.
Using your cell phone: since June 2017, as part of the EU, roaming charges have been removed. Calling someone from France or another member country costs the same. For more information, check with your operator.
Electricity and measurements Sweden
The voltage is 220 volts, and the current is alternating. The electrical outlets are identical to the French ones. On the other hand, the metric system has been adopted in Sweden, as well as our weight scales (g/kg) and temperature scales (degrees Celsius). You may, however, sometimes hear miles used for land distances. These are Swedish miles, which are equivalent to 10 of our kilometers.
Luggage Sweden
Remember to take some warm and waterproof clothes whatever the season, because the weather varies a lot. We also think to take his bathing suit, because the opportunities to swim are not missing!
