Sweden Introduces Cash Requirement in Supermarkets and Pharmacies

The new law pursues two goals. On the one hand, the country is to be better prepared for crises involving technical failures. On the other hand, it is intended to prevent people from being excluded from the payment system who are unable to use digital payment methods. "I think consumers themselves should decide. Anyone who wants to pay digitally should be welcome to do so. But it must still be possible to pay with cash if one wants to," said Stockholm resident Björn Eriksson, who has long fought for the preservation of cash with his initiative.

Voices from Politics and the Central Bank

Eriksson welcomed the reform. "There are many people who have problems with digital payment, for example people with a disability and elderly people," he said. For him, the new law is a first step in the right direction. He is pleased that he can now pay with cash without problems at least in the supermarket and pharmacy.

Sweden's central bank also supports the course. Elin Ritola of Sweden's central bank explained: "Due to the new geopolitical situation, cash has gained greater significance again. It is about security, about having payment options that also work when, for example, the internet or the power supply fails." She added that Sweden is a country whose population is quite positively disposed towards technology and that many have enthusiastically embraced these new practical solutions.

Crisis Preparedness and Recommendations

The risks of digital systems had already become apparent. Swedes noticed this in 2021, when a total of 800 supermarket branches across the country were paralysed following a cyberattack. "In some situations, when technology fails, coins and banknotes can be the only form of payment that works," said Carlos Cancino of the supermarket chain Coop to the news agency TT.

The National Base recommends having around 90 euros in cash at home. The Civil Protection Agency recommends: all adults should always have around 1,000 kronor in cash at home. That is about 90 euros. In addition, the Riksbank advises keeping several bank cards and a mobile payment service such as Swish available.

Exceptions and Open Questions

The law provides for several exceptions. Supermarkets without staffed checkouts are exempt, as are shops in which the acceptance of cash would endanger staff. Per transaction, shops must accept a maximum of 25 coins. In addition, retailers can cite the cost of cash handling as a reason to refuse cash.

At the same time, there is still no regulation on sanctions. There are currently no plans to penalise violations of the new cash acceptance requirement. According to the news agency TT, some shops have already announced that they will not comply with the requirement. This leaves open how effective the new obligation will actually be in everyday life.

Observers therefore see the reform more as a signal than as a fundamental turnaround. Carlos Cancino of the supermarket chain Coop emphasised the importance of cash as a backup in conversation with TT, should technology fail. The combination of digital and analogue payment systems is intended to secure the population's supply even in extreme situations.

Overall, it is becoming clear that the law does not herald a real comeback of cash in Sweden. In everyday life, cashless payment by card, mobile phone or Swish remains dominant. The new rules are merely intended to ensure that cash remains available as a reserve – for crisis situations and for people who depend on this form of payment.