At first glance, Sweden looks like a fantastic place to spend a few months as a digital nomad. With a strong digital infrastructure, tech-friendly culture, and plenty of natural beauty and urban attractions to enjoy after work, the country makes a compelling case. But when nomads start to settle in and download a payment app only to discover it requires a Swedish ID, or try to open a bank account without a personnummer, they often start to realize that there are stipulations. Even some entertainment platforms operate within systems designed around Swedish identity checks.
Sweden is one of the world’s most digitized countries—ranking in third place in 2024 according to Huawei. Cashless payments, mobile apps, and other digital resources are comfortably woven into everyday life there, which makes life incredibly convenient for digital nomads. However, its platforms were made with residents in mind, not people passing through for a while.
In this guide, we’ll go over the essential digital services long-term travelers are most likely to come across, including mobile plans, everyday apps, and payment services, as well as a brief look at how Sweden’s approach to regulation affects other online services.
Your Banking Options as a Non-Resident
Like many places around the world nowadays, Sweden’s banking system is built for a highly digital way of life. Major banks like Nordea, Swedbank, and SEB offer extensive online and mobile banking services, but they won’t grant you the same level of access as a Swedish resident. The biggest hurdle here is usually BankID, which is the country’s electronic identification system. To get a BankID, you need a Swedish personal identity number and have to be a customer of a bank that issues one. BankID is used to identify yourself for a wide range of public services, so its role extends far beyond banking.
But that doesn’t mean nomads are completely out of luck when it comes to Swedish banking. Depending on your circumstances and the bank’s requirements, you may still be able to open a basic account and get a debit card as long as you can provide official ID. The Nordic Co-operation states that “EU/EEA citizens living in the EU/EEA are entitled to a basic current account,” and that it “is against the law to reject customers” on the grounds of not having a Swedish address or personal identity number.
For those who don’t plan to keep returning to Sweden and simply need a reliable financial service for everyday spending, services like Wise and N26 can be useful alternatives. There’s no need to build the same financial setup as a Swedish resident—these services can handle international transfers and card payments without requiring you to establish yourself within Sweden’s or any other country’s banking system. With Sweden leading the world in cashless transactions, having a usable debit or credit card with you at all times is essential.
How Can Nomads Actually Pay?
The mobile payment app Swish is a big part of everyday payments in the country. It’s used by millions of people for everything from paying small businesses to splitting restaurant bills. Unfortunately, Swish requires BankID, which in turn requires a personnummer, putting it out of reach for temporary nomads. Luckily, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across Sweden, and Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely supported. That means you won’t have to change your habits if you typically pay with your phone or smartwatch. Cards from the aforementioned services like Wise can work in the same way, making them useful for ATM withdrawals and everyday spending on your travels. If you shop online in Sweden, you may also encounter Klarna, which is tied to local identity and credit checks.
The only downside of not having Swish is that you might occasionally run into businesses that prefer it. For most everyday needs, though, a foreign card with some backup options should work just fine.
Staying Connected in Sweden
If you’re a seasoned digital nomad, you might already have experience with international mobile plans or eSIMs. Staying connected in Sweden is unlikely to be a problem, with major carriers like Telia, Telenor, and Tele2 offering great mobile network coverage. Just note that in more remote parts of northern Sweden, coverage can be less consistent.
The simplest option is often to get a prepaid SIM, as it doesn’t require any connection to residency. You can pick one up from retailers and convenience stores and top up as needed, with varied data allowances and prices. If you happen to already have an EU-based SIM, the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” rules allow you to use your domestic plan while traveling elsewhere in the EU without additional roaming charges.
There’s also plenty of Wi-Fi around Swedish cities, thanks to cafés, coworking spaces, and libraries often providing internet access. Still, a local SIM or Wi-Fi egg will help bolster that reliability.
Everyday Apps for Digital Nomads
The intense digital-first culture in Sweden means you’ll likely rely on your phone for just about everything. Keep these few apps and services in mind during a longer stay:
- Getting around: Västtrafik, Skånetrafiken, and SL cover public transport in Gothenburg, Malmö, and Stockholm, respectively. Using these, you can buy tickets and plan your journeys with more ease.
- Ordering food: Foodora, Uber Eats, and Wolt are all popular food, retail, and grocery delivery services—perfect for when you’re short on time.
- Finding places to work: Apps like BrewAtlas can help you find the best places to work remotely in Sweden.
- Accessing healthcare: Many of Sweden’s digital healthcare services require electronic identification such as BankID or Freja+. However, you do not need BankID simply to receive medical care. If you are insured in another EU/EEA country, you may also be entitled to necessary healthcare during your stay, although the rules differ for planned treatment. 1177, the national healthcare information service, provides information about the healthcare system and its digital services.
- Buying groceries: Beyond food delivery apps, dedicated grocery store services like Mathem and ICA’s online grocery service can deliver to your accommodation.
- Meetups and events: Swedish coworking spaces, such as Regus and Spaces, are often great places to meet other digital nomads and remote workers. Dedicated venue apps usually offer direct booking.
English is widely spoken in Sweden, and many apps and services offer English-language options.
Regulated Sectors That Require Local ID
In sectors where businesses have to verify who they’re dealing with, you may run into stricter local ID requirements. Gambling is one example. Sweden’s gambling market is regulated by Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority, and licensed operators need to follow specific rules around player registration and identity verification. Online gambling registration is subject to residency or permanent-stay rules, while the national self-exclusion system is only available to those with a Swedish personnummer or samordningsnummer.
Travelers who were hoping to do some gambling in Sweden might be disappointed, as short-term tourists generally aren’t eligible to register on Swedish-licensed sites. Similarly, health, home, and car insurance policies typically require Swedish registration details, but nomads can work around them with foreign alternatives.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Stay in Sweden
Sweden is certainly one of the easier countries to navigate as a digital nomad, but a little preparation still goes a long way. Be sure to bring at least two Visa or Mastercard cards from different issuers, and consider a mobile wallet or services such as Wise or N26 as a backup. Download the apps you expect to use before you arrive and get a prepaid SIM or an eSIM if your existing plan doesn’t cover Sweden.
Ultimately, Sweden’s digital infrastructure doesn’t always consider temporary visitors. Brush up on your knowledge of which services require Swedish ID and have alternatives ready so you can spend less time dealing with digital roadblocks and more time working, exploring, and settling in.