Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Sweden for Expats

One of the first things you need when you arrive in Sweden is a mobile connection. A prepaid SIM card is the easiest option for newcomers and tourists: it is flexible, has no contract, and – crucially – needs no personnummer, credit check or Swedish bank account. This guide explains how prepaid SIMs work in Sweden, the best providers, eSIM options, and how to get connected before you have a personnummer.

TIP: on a Swedish provider’s website, right-click anywhere on the page (Google Chrome only) and choose “Translate to English”. This makes it much easier to compare and choose.

What is a prepaid SIM card?

A prepaid SIM (in Swedish kontantkort) is a pay-as-you-go card: you pay in advance for calls, texts and data, with no monthly bill and no contract. When your balance or bundle runs out, you simply top up. Because there is no credit check, it is ideal for expats who do not yet have a Swedish personnummer or bank account.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM in Sweden

Prepaid SIMs are easy to find – in mobile phone shops, convenience stores, supermarkets (such as Pressbyrån and ICA) and at the airport, or online for delivery. The big networks (Telia, Tele2, Telenor and Tre) and a range of budget MVNOs all offer prepaid, from simple call-and-text cards to large data bundles.

Best prepaid providers in Sweden

• Lycamobile – Affordable, flexible plans aimed at international users, with cheap international calls and an English website, which makes it very newcomer-friendly.
• Comviq – A popular budget brand (on Tele2’s network) with competitive rates and generous bundles, including unlimited calls and texts to Swedish numbers.
• Halebop – A well-liked value brand on Telia’s network, known for simple plans and good coverage.
• Hallon and Lebara – Low-cost MVNOs with good-value data bundles; Lebara is handy for international calls.
• Telia – The largest network with the widest coverage, a strong choice if you spend time in rural areas.
• Telenor and Tre (3) – Competitive prepaid plans with EU data roaming included, useful if you travel.

eSIM in Sweden

Many Swedish operators now support eSIM, so you can buy and activate a plan digitally without waiting for a physical card – ideal the moment you land. Check that your phone supports eSIM, then scan the provider’s QR code to get online in minutes.

Getting a SIM without a personnummer

This is the big advantage of prepaid: you do not need a personnummer, BankID or a credit check to buy and use one. You can pick up a prepaid SIM with just your passport (or even anonymously in a shop), top it up as you go, and be reachable on a Swedish number straight away. Later, once you have a personnummer and a Swedish bank account, you can switch to a monthly contract (abonnemang) if it works out cheaper – and you can keep your number when you do.

How to choose the right plan

Base your choice on how you use your phone. If you stream or use a lot of apps, pick a bigger data bundle; if you make international calls, look for a provider with cheap international rates or add-ons. Check coverage for where you live, especially outside the big cities, and compare the price of the data you actually need – the budget MVNOs are usually cheapest.

Topping up and keeping your number

Topping up (fylla på) is easy – online, in the provider’s app, or in many shops – and most providers offer auto-renewal. You can also keep your number when you switch provider or move from prepaid to a contract, as number porting is standard in Sweden. For monthly contracts and network comparisons, see our guide to mobile operators in Sweden, and for home broadband, internet providers in Sweden.

Frequently asked questions