Choosing a Debit or Credit Card in Sweden

NEW TO SWEDENCARDS

2 min read

Cards are the main way people pay in Sweden, with cash rarely used. If you’re new, a debit card linked to your bank account is the easiest way to start spending.

Debit cards

A debit card draws money directly from your account. They’re easy to get, help you stay within budget, and work for both in-store and online payments. Most come with contactless payments and can be added to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Credit cards

A credit card lets you borrow money up to a set limit, usually with interest if not paid in full. Benefits often include purchase protection, travel insurance, and rewards or cashback programs.

Choosing the right card

Kortio is Sweden’s largest card comparison site. It can help you find the cards that match your needs and lifestyle. When selecting a card, consider:

Fees and interest
Rewards or cashback
Insurance and protections
Mobile payment compatibility

MySwedishFinance's favourite cards

Here are MySwedishFinance's favourite cards that are available in Sweden, chosen for their ease of use and benefits.

Bank Norwegian

Annual fee: None
Card type: VISA (credit)
Mobile payments:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
Benefits:
- 0.5% cashback on purchases
- 3-5% CashPoints on Norwegian plane tickets
- Travel insurance included

Northmill

Annual fee: None
Card type: VISA (debit)
Mobile payments: Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay
Benefits:
- 101 SEK welcome bonus (campaign)
- 1% savings interest on your money
- Travel insurance included

Representative example: The credit interest rate is 22.00%. The annual fee is 0 kronor. When using a credit of 10,000 SEK with repayment through 12 monthly payments of 936 SEK, the effective interest rate is 24.36%. The total amount to be repaid is 11,231 SEK. The example is calculated in July 2026 and the interest rate is variable.