Traveling to Sweden and looking for the best way to get connected? Let me help you planning your trip and make sure you don't end up with high roaming charges. This is the ultimate guide for staying connected when traveling to Sweden in 2023.
Find out everything you need to know about buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden, the best e-sim cards for Sweden, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per August 2023, the best 4G/5G network in Sweden, my recommendation, info about international sim cards and much more.
My continuous travels around the world since 2012 and my goal to visit every country in the world get me to the craziest corners of the world. The first thing I do when arriving to a new country is finding out what is the best way to stay connected. Mostly that is either buying a local prepaid sim card or getting an e-sim card.
Many years ago I started documenting all this and therefore on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides for tourists worldwide: Europe, Norway, Finland, Germany, Spain, Italy, New York, USA, London, UK, Dominican Republic, Kenya, South Africa, Mexico, Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Brazil, Canada and many more.
If you are traveling onwards in Europe then you want to make sure your sim card is valid all over Europe. Therefore check out my list of the best prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2023.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends e-sim cards for Sweden as it is not only the easiest and the fastest way to connected but also the cheapest. E-sim cards for Sweden already start from $4.5 USD and for $32 USD you get 20 GB data.
There are also international e-sim cards that include calling and texting. Prepaid sim cards that you buy in Sweden from any of the mobile internet providers are more expensive, but if you want to buy a sim card in Sweden then Traveltomtom recommends a Telia sim card. For $30 USD you get 10 GB data + unlimited minutes and texting in Sweden.
A great alternative to stay connected when visiting Sweden an international sim card with data valid in multiple countries. Before ordering online check out my comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2023. You can already find a sim card with 10 GB data for all of Europe for $24.90 USD and it will be delivered to your home address or get the e-sim card version.
Best e-sim cards for Sweden
No more visiting a store or swapping physical sim cards. The easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get connected when traveling to Sweden in 2023 is an e-sim card. You arrange everything online and it takes just a couple minutes. Order an e-sim card, process the payment, receive a QR code, scan it, follow the instructions and you are connected in a couple clicks.
Check out the following Sweden e-sim card plans:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $6.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here to directly order an e-sim card for Sweden.
The above Vän data-only e-sim cards are valid in Sweden only. Vän operates on the Telenor 4G/LTE and the Tele2 5G network in Sweden. So yes these e-sim cards for Sweden are 5G ready.
There are also e-sim cards that include calling and texting. These international e-sim cards are on top of that also valid in more than 70 countries around the world including all of Europe:
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 8 GB + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 20 GB + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 30 GB data-only valid in Sweden for 30 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Sweden directly online.
Before ordering an e-sim card for Sweden make sure your phone is e-sim compatible. Also important is that your phone is unlocked. E-sim cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards only work in unlocked phones.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you still like to order a sim card for Sweden on the internet then look into a buying an international sim card for Sweden. For $24.90 USD USD you can already get 10 GB data in all of Europe. Click here to directly order a prepaid sim card for Sweden online and find more info and offers.
Sweden sim cards and EU roaming
Is Sweden your first trip on your trip to Europe then I have good news for you. All the prepaid sim cards in Sweden come with FREE roaming in the EU. That means you can use your data package at no extra costs in every other country in Europe. That said, I recommend you to always double check with the provider when buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden and ask about the EU roaming limitations.
For more info on how EU roaming works and tips for buying a local prepaid sim card in Europe on arrival check out my article or click here if you want to buy a sim card for traveling in Europe online.
Why buying a sim card in Sweden
Firstly to avoid high roaming coast when traveling abroad. Why pay $5 to $10 per day for an overseas roaming package that slows down the data speed! There are much better ways to stay connected when traveling to Sweden.
Being connected to the internet makes life so much more convenient. Ordering a taxi through an app, getting directions from Google Maps, looking up the train schedule on the go, finding a nearby restaurant with good reviews, receiving a video call from your loved ones, etc.
So many reasons to get a local sim card. Simply don't rely on public WiFi, it often is too slow, sometimes doesn't work at all and another reminder that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network! The use of a VPN is recommended in these situations.
Mobile internet providers Sweden
Sweden has 4 main mobile internet providers: Telenor, Tele2, Telia and 3 (Tre). Tele2 does not sell prepaid sim cards, so that leaves our comparison for finding the best sim card for Sweden to Telenor, Telia and Tre.
Where to buy a sim card for Sweden
Buying a prepaid sim card in Sweden is pretty straight forward as in every big city you can find a Telenor, Telia or 3 shop in the city center. Most of the times they are all clustered next to each other. See for example the photo below of the old town in Malmo.
Best way to find sim card stores near you is to go to Google Maps and type in the by you preferred mobile internet provider or simply search for ‘sim card’. Your Sweden prepaid sim card will be activated in the shop and as soon as you walk out you will be able to use it.
To buy a sim card in Sweden you don’t need your passport, there is initially no registration needed.
Buying a sim card at the Stockholm Airport
Unfortunately I have not been to Stockholm in the last 3 years and I can’t give you the precise info on where to buy a sim card at Stockholm airport. Gothenburg Airport did have a mobile shop at the airport which was selling Lebara and Lyca Mobile sim cards, but buying a sim card at the airport is never really worth it as they overcharge travelers most of the time.
If you are not in a rush then wait a little till you get to the city center. Looking for tips for a weekend in Gothenburg or a weekend trip to Stockholm? Click on the link to see what I did.
Best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2023
Comparing the prices for prepaid sim is just one part of finding the best sim card for Sweden. Just as important is the 4G/5G network coverage in Sweden, especially if you are going on a road trip in Sweden you want to make sure you stay connected.
I went for example on a self guided canoe trip in Värmland in West Sweden. Värmland is near the Norwegian border and I found out that Telenor had the best network coverage in that area and therefore I bought a Telenor sim card on arrival in Sweden. Check out Nperf for more detailed maps of 4G/5G coverage in Sweden.
Is there 5G in Sweden?
Yes, there is 5G in Sweden, although not that wide spread around the country, in most tourist destinations in Sweden there is a 5G signal available. All mobile internet providers offer 5G on their prepaid sim cards for tourists. But compared to other European countries the 5G network in Sweden is still pretty small.
3 TRE Sweden 4G/5G network coverage map
Telia Sweden 4G/5G network coverage map
Telenor Sweden 4G/5G network coverage map
From the above comparison of the network coverage maps of Telenor, Telia and Tre we see that especially if you go off the beaten path there is a big difference between the network coverage of the internet providers. It is pretty clear that Telia has the best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2023.
Sweden prepaid sim card prices in 2023
All the below information and prices are updated in August 2023. Prices are in Swedish Krona: $1 USD = 10.6 SEK and 10 SEK = $0.94 USD.
Telenor Sweden
There are 2 Telenor Sweden prepaid sim card plans for tourists:
- 1 GB data + unlimited calls/text in Sweden + international calls* for 31 days = 100 SEK - $9.3 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/text in Sweden + international calls* for 31 days = 250 SEK - $23.1 USD
* for more info see the picture above.
All Telenor prepaid plans are valid all over Europe. For more info check the Telenor Sweden website.
Telia Sweden
A Telia sim card is free and includes free calling and texting in all of Europe & free EU data roaming.
- 1 GB data + 70 calls + free sms for 1 month = 109 SEK - $10 USD
- 3 GB data for 1 month = 199 SEK - $18.4 USD
- 5 GB data for 1 month = 249 SEK - $23 USD
- 10 GB data + 100 international minutes for 1 month = 329 SEK - $30.4 USD
- 15 GB data + 300 international minutes for 1 month = 459 SEK - $42.5 USD
The above Sweden sim card packages from Telia are valid for 1 month in all of Europe. For more info check the Telia Sweden website.
Tre (3) Sweden
Tre Sweden has the weakest network, so let's see if they have the best prepaid sim cards deals for Sweden. They offer the following data packages:
- 5 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 199 SEK - $18.4 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 299 SEK - $27.7 USD
- Unlimited data + unlimited calls/text for 1 month valid in all of Europe = 399 SEK - $36.9 USD
Indeed the Tre sim card with unlimited data for 399 SEK is the best buy prepaid sim card in Sweden in 2023. Check the Tre Sweden website for more info.
Best sim card for Sweden in 2023
Comparing all the prepaid sim card prices, international sim cards and e-sim cards for Sweden it is an easy conclusion that e-sim cards are the cheapest way to stay connected. E-sim cards for Sweden start from $4.5 USD.
When comparing the local prepaid sim cards in Sweden with the international e-sim cards for Sweden then we can also concluded that for 20 GB data e-sim cards and international prepaid sim cards are cheaper than local prepaid sim cards.
However, there is a big difference in mobile data network coverage in Sweden and Telia has by far the best 4G/5G network in Sweden in 2023 and therefore Telia is the best sim card for Sweden in 2023. Especially for those who are traveling around Sweden on a road trip. If you stick to just Stockholm then a Tre Sweden prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 399 SEK ($37 USD) is a great option to stay connected.
Buy a sim card for Sweden online
Want to arrive prepared for your trip to Sweden and be online as soon as the plane lands? If your phone is not e-sim compatible then order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Sweden. These pre-activated sim cards are valid in more than 70 countries around the world and will be delivered to your home address before your trip. It is plug and play!
Check out the following international sim cards for Sweden:
Three Data Pack 10 GB - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- Valid 30 days
Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 8 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- Valid 14 days
Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 20 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Three PAYG MBB 12 GB - $59.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid for 1 year
Three PAYG MBB 24 GB - $79.90
- 24 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid for 2 years
Click here to order an international sim card for traveling to Sweden.
Personally I can recommend the Orange Holiday Europe as I used it many times before starting to use e-sim cards for traveling to Europe.
Another reminder that you can also order an e-sim card for Sweden. No need to swap a physical sim card and you keep your own phone number.
I hope the above tips for buying a prepaid sim card for Sweden were helpful for your upcoming Sweden holiday. In case you have any questions don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. Also for Sweden travel tips I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of August 2023 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Sweden!
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for Sweden are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!