Best Credit Cards in Sweden for Expats
Sweden is almost entirely cashless, so a working card is one of the first things you need. You can get a credit card linked to a bank account, or a prepaid card that is not. This guide compares the best credit cards in Sweden, explains the difference between a debit card (bankkort) and a credit card (kreditkort), and covers the newcomer question most guides miss: how to get a card without a personnummer or Swedish credit history.
If a card provider’s site is in Swedish, right-click anywhere on the page (Google Chrome only) and choose “Translate to English”. This makes it easier to compare and choose.
Credit cards in Sweden compared
These are among the most-used cards, shown against a few key features. Terms change, so always check the provider’s current conditions.
| Credit option | Free card | Free account | |
|---|---|---|---|
| › N26 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| › Bank Norwegian | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| › Morrow Bank | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| › Marginalen Bank | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| › Nordea | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| › Swedbank | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Debit card (bankkort) or credit card (kreditkort)?
Most everyday spending in Sweden is done with a bankkort – a debit card linked to your bank account – together with the Swish app. A kreditkort (credit card) gives you a credit line and is useful for travel, larger purchases and online payments, but it requires a credit check. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere; American Express works in fewer places, so a local Visa or Mastercard is the practical choice. If you only want to control spending without a credit line, a prepaid card is easier to get, with little paperwork and no credit check – you simply load money onto it in advance.
Getting a card without a personnummer or credit history
A traditional Swedish credit card needs a personnummer and a UC credit check (UC is Sweden’s main credit bureau). As a newcomer you have little Swedish credit history, which can make approval harder at first. The easiest routes are:
- Digital cards – N26 and Revolut can be opened online with a passport and give you a Mastercard/Visa without a Swedish credit history.
- A prepaid card – no personnummer and no credit check; you load it in advance and use it like a normal card.
- A card from your own bank – once you have opened a Swedish bank account, your bank can issue a card, which is simpler than applying elsewhere.
Our top picks
N26 is an online bank, popular with expats because it charges no fees for withdrawing money abroad, saving on foreign-exchange and ATM costs. The free account has no monthly fee and comes with a Mastercard accepted almost everywhere. Everything is handled in the app – see N26.
Bank Norwegian is a Scandinavian bank offering a credit card with no annual fee, an interest-free period and no cash-withdrawal fee. To get the card you need to live in Sweden and have a work permit. Check the current terms on the Bank Norwegian site.
Marginalen Bank is a Swedish bank with a solid reputation. Its cards can turn purchases into travel points, offer an interest-free period and free worldwide cash withdrawals, and its Visa card gives a small refund on purchases. See Marginalen Bank for details.
Note: borrowing money costs money. If you need to borrow rather than spread card payments, see our guide to loans in Sweden.
Frequently asked questions
UC is Sweden’s main credit bureau. When you apply for a credit card or loan, the lender runs a UC check on your credit history. Newcomers have little Swedish history, so digital or prepaid cards are easier at first.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, along with the Swish app. American Express works in fewer places, so it is best kept as a backup alongside a Visa or Mastercard.
A bankkort is a debit card linked to your account; a kreditkort (credit card) gives you a credit line and requires a UC credit check. Most everyday spending in Sweden is done with a debit card and Swish.
A traditional credit card needs a personnummer and a UC credit check. Digital cards (N26, Revolut) and prepaid cards need no personnummer or credit check, so they are the easiest option for newcomers.