The main commercial banks in Sweden include Handelsbanken, Foreningssparbanken, Nordbanken and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB).

Sweden has the highest rate of internet banking usage in the world, and all the major banks offer internet banking facilities. However, these are reportedly only available in Swedish.

The other main form of financial transaction in Sweden is the giro, a document which instructs a bank to transfer funds electronically to another bank; cheques are rarely used in Sweden. Utilities bills, for example, have a giro attached which should be used when making payment if internet banking facilities are not used for this purpose.

To open a bank account in Sweden you will be required to show evidence of your address in Sweden and to provide your personal number, obtained from the tax office. You may also need to show your passport or EU ID card, and employment details.

Normal banking hours in Sweden are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

Credit and charge cards including American Express, Diners Card, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Sweden. Currency and travellers cheques can be changed in banks and post offices throughout the country.