» Ambulance / Police
You can call from any telephone.
1) DIAL 112 on your phone for quick help in the form of ambulance, fire brigade or police.
2) CLAIM: Either Ambulance, Fire, Police or the Environment.
3) INFORM: What has happened, where, when and which phone number you are calling from. Keep the phone ‘on’ until your message is understood. Try to keep calm and speak clearly if possible repeat your answers. Tell the person on the phone about exactly what has happened.
CALLING FROM YOUR MOBILE:
You must inform the places, when you tell the address or ask anyone who can help to you about the landmark or location.
CALLING FROM YOUR CAR
Must specify road name, direction and nearest town. Always keep your phone switched on until help arrived.
» Banks / Money
New banknotes in october 2015! More info here »
The Swedish currency is the Krona (SEK), which is divided into 100 øre.
Coin denominations:
1 krona, 5 kronor (silver color)
10 kronor (brass)
Banknotes denominations:
20 SEK, SEK 50, SEK 100, SEK 500 and SEK 1,000.
OPENING HOURS
Bank opening hours are between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Friday, with a 'late' opening until 6pm on Thursday nights.
All the Banks do not open on Saturdays.
CREDIT CARDS
The majority of everyday purchases are made using cash or Maestro, the Swedish card payment system. Some smaller retailers and many supermarkets are not able to process payments made using an international VISA or MasterCard, so we recommend you to bring cash when visiting places you are not certain of accepting the mayor credit cards.
EXCHANGE
Money can be exchanged at banks open 5 days a week or bureaux de change like Forex open 7 days a week.
» Driving
Sweden has right hand-side traffic.
Seat belts: It is required by the law to us seatbelts.
Speed limit: Malmö City Centre 40 Km/h
Speeding ticket: is given on the spot by the police.
Lights: Dimmed headlights are mandatory by the law 24 hours a day.
Children: Up to 7 years old children shall use special seats in the car. Children shall be seated in the backseat.
Petrol/Gas: Most gas-stations accept major credit cards.
» Electricity
Sweden, has 220-volt AC, 50Hz current and uses two-pin continental plugs. Visitors from the UK need an adaptor for electric appliances and visitors from the US need a transformer to be able to use 110/125V appliances.
» Health insurance
Tourists in Sweden are covered by the public health insurance within the limits agreed upon between your home country and the Swedish authorities. If you are a citizen of a non-EU country you should ensure that you have adequate health insurance. Check with your travel agency or your insurance company.
» Language
The official language is Swedish, which is related to and similar to Danish and Norwegian.
Most people speaks English and often very good. Many speak German too.
» Passport / Visa
EU citizens should be able to present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of the stay in Sweden. Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest Swedish diplomatic post for further information.
Citizens of some countries need a visa to enter Sweden. Contact the Swedish Embassy in your country for further information.
» Pets
It is possible to bring along your pet but it takes an extensive time of planning ahead. You need to start your planning at least 6 months ahead of your departure, to be sure you'll get all necessary documents and authorizations.
Contact the nearest Swedish diplomatic post in your country for further information.
» Pharmacy
There are more than 30 pharmacies in Malmö.
Opening hours are Monday - Friday, mostly from 09:00 or 10:00 to 18:00 (9/10 am - 6 pm).
Saturdays: 10:00 - 14:00 (10 am - 2 pm)
A couple of pharmacies are opened 24 hours a day.
In order to get a certain kind of medication you have to visit a doctor first to get a prescription.
» Post Office
The Swedish postal services are located both in local convenience stores and shopping malls.
Look for this sign
General Opening hours
Weekdays: normally from 9:00 or 10:00 to 17:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 12:00
Sunday: 09:00 - 12:00
Postal rates
Stamps for postcards and letters up to 50 g weight to Europe cost SEK 11, and SEK 13 to the rest of the world.
Other prices: check Swedish post office site
» Public Holidays
Wednesday 01/01/2014 New Year
Monday 06/01/2014 Epiphany
Friday 14/02/2014 Valentine
Thursday 17/04/2014 Maundy Thursday
Friday 18/04/2014 Good Friday
Sunday 20/04/2014 Easter
Monday 21/04/2014 Easter Monday
Thursday 01/05/2014 Labour Day
Sunday 25/05/2014 Mother´s Day
Thursday 29/05/2014 Ascension
Friday 06/06/2014 National Holiday Sweden
Sunday 08/06/2014 Pentecost
Friday 20/06/2014 Midsummer Eve
Saturday 21/06/2014 Midsummer Day
Saturday 01/11/2014 All Saints
Sunday 09/11/2014 Father´s Day
Wednesday 24/12/2014 Christmas Eve
Thursday 25/12/2014 Christmas
Friday 26/12/2014 St. Stephen´s Day
Wednesday 31/12/2014 New Year´s Eve
» Radio News in English
Radio Sweden International (1062 Mhz) broadcasts news in English on weekdays at 08.40, 11.00, 17.10 and 22.00. Major British and American newspapers are sold at newsstands all over the city.
» Smoking
Generally, it is forbidden to smoke in most of the public areas, cafés, pubs and restaurants included. However, where the serving area is smaller than 40 square metres, the owner can make exception and allow smoking.
» Street theft / Street begging
We recommend to keep the same precaution as you would in any other European city.
Pocket thieves and bag snatching occurs so look after your belongings and keep them close to you.
Places where it often occurs are at ATM's, the Central Train Station and on the train.
One should be alert for any uncalled for and unjustified impertinence.
The many street beggars you'll see are in the majority of cases not Swedish. So do not be horrified with the assumption that Sweden's welfare has expired just yet. They are EU-immigrants having illegally set up camps around the city, but however indirectly been granted permission since they are not forced away.
We recommend you to NOT give money directly to them since illegal business then are encouraged. If you want to help we instead encourage you to donate thru authorized channels like Unicef, Redcross etc.
» Telephone
Directory enquiries
Country code +46
There are no area code numbers in Sweden.
Public telephone booths
Public pay phones accept coins or prepaid Telecards. Just lift the receiver and insert your card or your coin. For international calls use 5-20 SEK, but please note no money refund whether connected or not.
Telephone cards come in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 SEK and are available from kiosks and post offices.
» Water
The water in Sweden are of very good quality and you can drink tapwater.
The waters surrounding Sweden is clean and of high quality.
