Basics

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin plugs are used.
Money: The Swedish monetary unit is the Kronor/Krona or Crown (SEK), which is divided into 100 öre. Banks exchange money during business hours from Monday to Friday. At other times money can be changed at airports, ferry terminals, post offices and Forex exchange offices, which are open daily. There are numerous ATMs throughout the country, most of which accept MasterCard and Visa. Travellers cheques and most major credit cards are widely accepted for payment throughout Sweden. Currency Exchange Rates

SEK 1.00 =

A$ 0.17

C$ 0.17

IRR 1,559.49

NZ$ 0.22

£ 0.08

US$ 0.17

R 1.30

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Swedish is the main language, with Lapp being spoken by the Sami population in the north. Most Swedes speak and understand English. Many also speak German and French.
Entry requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: To enter Sweden, US citizens require a passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals may enter Sweden with a passport, and no visa is necessary for passport-holders endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, or British Subject for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period. Other British passports require a visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport to enter Sweden, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.
Entry requirements for Australians: For entry to Sweden, Australian citizens require a passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans require a passport as well as a visa for entry to Sweden.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months in any six-month period.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport, but no visa is necessary for stays of up to three months in any six-month period.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors are required to have visible means of support as well as tickets and documentation for return or onward travel. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.
Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to Sweden, but visitors should guard against ticks when travelling to forested areas or the southern coast, including the Stockholm archipelago. Medical care in the country is excellent, and reciprocal health agreements exist with other European Union countries, including the United Kingdom. UK citizens in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be entitled to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Swedish nationals. Outbreaks of bird flu have been detected in wild birds around the country, but the risk to travellers is low and no human infections have been reported. As a precaution all egg and poultry dishes should be well cooked and close contact with live birds should be avoided.
Tipping: Service charge is included in restaurant bills, but an additional tip of 7 to 10% is expected for evening meals. Generally customers round off the fare when using a taxi. Tips are welcome for exceptionally good service in hotels, but are not expected. Climate: Stockholm has a moderate climate, with mild temperatures in both winter and summer. In winter, temperatures range from about 19°F to 36°F (-7°C to 2°C) and average temperatures in summer range between 68°F and 77°F (20°C-25°C), though sometimes higher. Snowfall usually occurs from January to March. Rainfall can occur throughout the year, though July and August tend to be the wettest months.

Safety: Sweden is an extremely safe country to visit. There is some petty crime during the summer months in the cities where tourists congregate, but crime is at much lower levels than elsewhere in Europe. Most visits to Sweden are trouble free.
Business: The Swedish pride themselves on punctuality and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. It is important to schedule an appointment in advance and have it confirmed shortly before any engagement. A formal dress code is observed for men and women and bright colours are avoided. Handshakes for men and women are common after introduction and often first names are used instead of surnames. A general egalitarian attitude will hide any observable hierarchy and all members at a meeting are generally treated with the same level of respect. Business hours are generally 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Communications: The country code for Sweden is +46, and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 08 for Stockholm. Public telephones are available and there is good coverage across the country for mobile telephones, which use different GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in all the cities and towns.
Duty free: Travellers to Sweden over 18 years from non-EU countries and residents who arrive on a commercial flight, from a trip exceeding 20 hours do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cheroots, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 2 litres fortified or sparkling wine, and 2 litres of non-sparkling wine and beer are allowed duty free; other goods to the value of 1,700kr are also allowed. Prohibited items include drugs, other than those for medical or scientific purposes; and potatoes that are grown outside the EU.