From 1 July 2026, Swedish supermarkets and pharmacies with staffed checkouts will be required to accept cash payments.
The reform responds to growing concerns about the social and economic consequences of excessive payment digitalisation. The Swedish Government, Parliament (Riksdag) and central bank (Riksbank) agree that ensuring access to cash not only strengthens the resilience of the payment system in the face of crises or cyberattacks, but also prevents certain groups from being excluded from access to essential goods such as food and medicines.
RECOGNISING CASH AS ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the past decade, Sweden has been one of the most frequently cited examples of the shift towards electronic payments. However, growing concerns about emergency preparedness, the rise in cyberattacks and the recognition that electronic payments depend entirely on functioning technological infrastructure have led to a reassessment of this approach.
The new legislation requires supermarkets and pharmacies with staffed checkouts to accept banknotes and coins, recognising the essential nature of the goods and services they provide. At the same time, it strengthens banks’ responsibilities to ensure an adequate cash deposit infrastructure for individuals and businesses, as well as cash change services needed to keep the entire cash distribution system operational.
FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND CRISIS PREPAREDNESS
The Riksbank expressly supported the reform, arguing that cash remains essential both for financial inclusion and for the resilience of the payment system.
As Erik Thedéen, Governor of the Riksbank, stated on 19 May, “People should always be able to pay for food, healthcare and medicines both digitally and with cash. The increasingly turbulent global situation, increased cyber attacks and also the major power outages show the importance of being able to make payments even when the internet is down.”
The decision reflects a reality that is increasingly being acknowledged by public institutions: a rapid shift towards a fully digital economy can prevent older people, citizens who have difficulty using digital payment methods, vulnerable groups or, simply, anyone who wishes to use cash from accessing basic goods and services.
A FIRST STEP
Although the new legislation represents a significant change, several organisations believe it still does not go far enough.
The Swedish Parliament has asked the Government to consider extending the obligation to certain public services, so that administrative fees and certain healthcare services can also be paid in cash.
Similarly, on 22 May, Björn Eriksson, President of Kontantupproret, welcomed the adoption of the law, while arguing that it should go much further. Eriksson is calling for the obligation to accept cash to be extended to public transport, petrol stations and clothing retailers, as well as for the introduction of supervision and sanctions to ensure effective compliance with the legislation.
Sweden’s experience shows that even the country that has advanced furthest towards a highly digitalised payment system now recognises the need to preserve physical cash as an essential tool for financial inclusion and for ensuring that all citizens can access basic goods and services, particularly when digital infrastructure fails.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Kontantupproret. (2026, 22 de mayo). Riksdagen ändrar i förslaget till kontantlag: Även offentligrättsliga tjänster ska kunna betalas kontant.
- Sweden Herald. (2026, 30 de junio). Swedish grocery store to remain cashless despite new cash law.
- Sveriges Riksbank. (2025, 19 de mayo). Introduce obligation to accept cash and strengthen banks’ responsibility for cash.
- Sveriges Riksdag. (2026, 27 de mayo). Åtgärder för att stärka kontanternas funktionssätt (Betänkande 2025/26:FiU39).