Which of our destination countries are part of the European Union, and which ones use the Euro as their currency?
These are questions we’re often asked by guests travelling with us for their outdoor adventures in Sweden, Norway and Finland…and the answers aren’t necessarily straightforward!
Here’s our guide to understanding EU membership (or not!) and use of the Euro (or not!) in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
Is Sweden in the EU?
Yes, Sweden is part of the European Union. Sweden joined the EU in 1995.
Does Sweden use the Euro?
No, Sweden has not adopted the Euro. A referendum was held in 2003 and the country voted to continue with its own currency, the Swedish Krona.
What currency does Sweden use?
The currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (plural Kronor) or Swedish Crown, written as SEK or Kr.
At the time of writing, 10 SEK = approx. £0.87 GBP, €1 EUR or €1.2 USD.
One Swedish Krona (Crown) is divided into 100 öre. However, since 2010, the smallest coin in circulation in Sweden is 1 SEK and prices are rounded to the nearest Krona.
Coins currently in circulation are 1 SEK, 5 SEK and 10 SEK. Banknotes currently in circulation are 20 SEK, 50 SEK, 100 SEK, 200 SEK and 500 SEK.
Is Norway in the EU?
No, Norway is not part of the European Union, but it is part of the EEA, the European Economic Area.
The EEA is made up of the EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. Membership of the EEA gives Norway access to the internal market on equal terms with EU countries.
Unlike Sweden and Finland, though, Norway is a member of NATO.
Does Norway use the Euro?
No. Norway is not a member of the EU and so would not be eligible to use the Euro.
What currency does Norway use?
The currency of Norway is the Norwegian Krone (plural Kroner) or Norwegian Crown, written as NOK or Kr.
At the time of writing, 10 NOK = approx. £0.86 GBP, €0.98 EUR or €1.19 USD.
One Norwegian Krone (Crown) is divided into 100 øre. However, since 2012, the smallest coin in circulation in Norway is 1 NOK.
Coins currently in circulation are 1 NOK, 5 NOK, 10 NOK and 20 NOK. Banknotes currently in circulation are 50 NOK, 100 NOK, 200 NOK, 500 NOK and 1000 NOK.
Is Finland in the EU?
Yes, Finland has been a member of the EU since 1995.
Does Finland use the Euro?
Yes, the currency of Finland is the Euro. Finland was one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, in 1999.
Before this, the currency of Finland was the Markka, or Finnish Mark. The Markka ceased to be legal tender in 2002.
How do you write numbers in Sweden, Norway and Finland?
When writing numbers, including amounts of money, Sweden, Norway and Finland, like many other countries, use a comma where other countries such as the UK would use a decimal point.
In the same way, where the UK uses a comma to separate thousands, Sweden, Norway and Finland use a space.
For example:
- 1.25 in the UK would be 1,25 in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
- 1,250 in the UK would be 1 250 in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
For more information on the destinations we offer, see About Our Destinations.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of European countries, their memberships, and currency systems. Let me dive into the information provided in the article about Sweden, Norway, and Finland:
Sweden:
- EU Membership: Yes, Sweden is a member of the European Union since 1995.
- Euro Adoption: No, Sweden has not adopted the Euro. A referendum in 2003 confirmed the country's decision to stick with the Swedish Krona (SEK).
- Currency: The official currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK), with coins and banknotes in circulation.
Norway:
- EU Membership: No, Norway is not part of the European Union. However, it is a member of the EEA (European Economic Area), providing access to the internal market.
- Euro Adoption: No, Norway, not being an EU member, does not use the Euro. The official currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
- Currency: The Norwegian Krone (NOK) is the official currency, with coins and banknotes in circulation.
Finland:
- EU Membership: Yes, Finland has been an EU member since 1995.
- Euro Adoption: Yes, Finland uses the Euro. It adopted the Euro in 1999, replacing the Finnish Mark (Markka), which ceased to be legal tender in 2002.
- Currency: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Finland.
Number Formatting:
- When writing numbers, including amounts of money, these countries use a comma where other countries like the UK use a decimal point.
- Thousands are separated by a space instead of a comma. For instance, 1.25 in the UK would be 1,25 in Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and 1,250 in the UK would be 1 250 in these Nordic countries.
This information should help clarify the EU memberships and currency systems of Sweden, Norway, and Finland for travelers planning outdoor adventures in these destinations. If you have any further questions or need more details, feel free to ask!
