Swedish Bank Warns: Do You Have 1,000 Kronor in Cash at Home?
Sveriges Riksbank for the first time directly recommends citizens keep cash for a week of essential expenses, fearing the consequences of war or cyberattacks.
Sveriges Riksbank for the first time directly recommends citizens keep cash for a week of essential expenses, fearing the consequences of war or cyberattacks.
All adult Swedish citizens should keep enough cash at home to cover a week's worth of basic living expenses, the Swedish central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, said on Saturday, August 9, 2026. The recommendation, reported by Bloomberg, comes amid heightened security threats and marks the institution's first direct guidance to citizens on payment methods in extraordinary circumstances.
As a specific figure, the bank cites approximately 1,000 Swedish kronor (about $110) per adult. This money should be used to purchase food, medicine, and other essential supplies in the event of war or another crisis. In addition to cash, citizens are advised to hold bank cards from different issuers and to use the local online payment service Swish.
The central bank emphasizes that this recommendation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen national preparedness. "Citizens are an important part of Sweden's total defense and are key to strengthening national preparedness. Access to various payment methods increases the public's ability to conduct transactions in the event of temporary disruptions, crises, or, in the worst case, war," Sveriges Riksbank told Bloomberg.
Authorities in Stockholm have already taken steps to inform the population. The Swedish government has sent every household a brochure with detailed instructions for crisis situations, including information on necessary supplies of drinking water and ways to follow the news in the event of a power outage.
Sweden's payment system is considered particularly vulnerable due to its high degree of digitalization. Only about one in ten transactions in the country is conducted in cash, creating significant risk in the event of cyberattacks or military conflicts that could disable electronic systems. Consequently, Sveriges Riksbank has also called for new legislation to protect the status of cash, but such a regulation has not yet been adopted.
These measures are a direct consequence of increased security threats from neighboring Russia, and to a lesser extent from the Middle East. Sweden is not the only Nordic country to have taken such steps. Similar recommendations have already been issued to their citizens by central banks in Finland and Norway, countries that also share a border with Russia. They also advise keeping a certain amount of cash and holding multiple bank cards for emergencies.
