Organize your stay Stockholm
Money Stockholm
Sweden is outside the euro zone. The currency used in Sweden is the Swedishkrona, abbreviated to "kr" or "SEK". 1 € = 11.20 SEK and 1 SEK = 0.089 € (2024). Banknotes are in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 crowns. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5 or 10 crowns. The existing 100 and 500 krona banknotes, as well as all coins except the 10 krona coin, have been out of circulation since 2017. Sweden is now considering the potential of an electronic version of the Swedish krona to eliminate the need for cash. In Stockholm, it's common to see signs indicating that an establishment is cashfree. Avoid exchange offices at airports and hotels, as they charge higher fees and have lower exchange rates. A list of exchange offices can be found at www.forex.se. An ATM will generally offer a better exchange rate. Beware of charges that may be applied to your credit card for simple transactions, such as taking the metro or bus. However, fees are generally lower than for ATM withdrawals, and the spending limit is often higher. Fees can be fixed, at between €0 and €1.20, plus 2-3% of the amount paid by bankcard.
Budget & Tips Stockholm
In Stockholm, the cost of living is a little higher than in major French cities. Some things really are more expensive, such as the usual supermarkets. In hotels, restaurants and cafés, service is included, so there's no need to leave a tip. Cab drivers can expect a 10% tip.
A small budget would be around 650 SEK per day. A night in a youth hostel costs around 300 SEK, two inexpensive meals around 200 SEK, a museum around 70 SEK. A pint of beer costs 60 SEK and a cup of tea or coffee 25 SEK.
For average budgets, you can expect to pay around 1,400 SEK per day. A night in a hotel costs a minimum of 500 SEK per person. Two restaurant meals cost around SEK 400 per person, and a walk around the archipelago costs around SEK 200.
For big budgets , you should expect to pay at least SEK 2,000 per day. A luxury hotel costs over 1,500 SEK per day for a double room. Upmarket restaurant meals cost around SEK 500 per person, and a day cruise in the archipelago costs around SEK 300.
Passport and visas Stockholm
A valid passport allows you to stay in Sweden for up to three months. No visa is required. For EU citizens, a valid identity card is sufficient. For motorists, a green card (international insurance) is not compulsory, but recommended. Your car must bear the nationality plate "F" for France, "B" for Belgium, and "CH" for Switzerland.
You can contact the French customs information service by calling 08 11 20 44 44, or via the website www.douane.gouv.fr. A mobile application is also available.
Driver's license Stockholm
As in France, you must be at least 18 years old to drive. Certain types of international driving license are accepted by the Swedish Transport Agency, and any type of European driving license is valid in Sweden.
Drunk driving is severely punished, and the country has a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving. The tolerated limit is 0.2g/l blood alcohol (0.5g/l in France), and it is strongly recommended not to consume alcohol at all before driving.
Security Stockholm
As everywhere, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the local culture and political environment to minimize the risk of danger. Stockholm is one of the least dangerous cities in Europe, with a low crime rate. It's a safe destination for everyone, especially women traveling alone. Day or night, Stockholm is generally safe... The city at night is rarely dangerous, and is brightly lit (an important factor on dark winter days).
The police telephone number is 112.
Time difference Stockholm
There is no time difference. However, sunrise and sunset times differ, with the sun setting around 3pm in January and rising around 3.30am in July.
Spoken languages Stockholm
The language spoken in Sweden is Swedish, a North Germanic language. You can learn a few words and phrases in Swedish through smartphone applications such as Duolingo or Babbel, enabling you to communicate with locals or understand essential information such as street names, traffic signs and so on. Swedes often don't speak French, but English.
To learn Swedish in Sweden , you can take courses locally, through various institutes, such as SFI, Swedish for Immigrants: a training program for adults organized by local municipalities.
Communication Stockholm
Once in Stockholm, the available networks work very well, as does 4G. WiFi is available almost everywhere, in museums, restaurants, cafés, stations, etc., and is free. There are no roaming charges, so calling or texting someone in France or another member country costs the same. This means you keep the same charges according to your usual mobile budget.
Electricity and measurements Stockholm
The voltage is 220 volts, the current is alternating and the electrical outlets are identical to ours. The metric system has been adopted in Sweden, as have weight scales (grams and kilograms) and temperature scales (degrees Celsius, a measurement system invented by a Swede!). We sometimes hear about the Swedish mile , equivalent to 10 km.
Luggage Stockholm
For winter, pack a good down jacket, hat, gloves, socks and, above all, layers of clothing that keep you warm! Temperatures often drop below freezing, so you'll need to be well covered if you want to get around town without any problems. Sidewalks and roads are sometimes covered in ice, so be careful not to slip! In summer, temperatures can reach 24 degrees Celsius, so you can walk around in a t-shirt and perhaps have a sweater handy for when the temperature drops at night. It can rain at any time of year, so an umbrella is always handy!
For travelers who come for outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking, make sure you have all the equipment you need, as this can be more expensive in Sweden than in France. The Swedes even have a saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes"!
