Sweden is not only known for IKEA, ABBA and Volvo but also for its high alcohol prices. Why does alcohol cost so much in Sweden and what do Swedes generally think about the consumption of alcohol? In short, the Swedes have their own, ambivalent relationship to alcohol. Below you can read about the role of alcohol in Sweden, how much it costs, where to buy it, alcohol law and typical drinking behavior in Sweden.

Skål! – Cheers!

Prices for alcohol: Sweden vs. Germany

The difference between for example the German and the Swedish prices for alcohol can be immense.

A bottle of Absolut Vodka , 0,7 liter Germany: 12 Euro. Sweden: 239 SEK, (which is about 24 EUR).

, 0,7 liter A 0,33 liter can of beer , König Pilsener, costs 11,90 SEK, (ca. 1,20 EUR) in Sweden. In Germany you can buy one liter of the same brand for the same amount. That's three times as much as you get in Sweden.

, König Pilsener, costs A bottle of Baileys , 0,7 liter About 12 EUR in Germany. In Sweden the same bottle costs almost twice as much – 201 SEK , (ca. 20 EUR).

, 0,7 liter

Because the alcohol is so expensive in Sweden , it doesn't surprise that the people use to import it from other countries.

Alcohol import – “Let's make a trip to Germany”

Sweden's south-western neighbor, Denmark, for example offers cheaper drinks – but yet alcohol still costs more in Denmark than in Germany. About 50% of the privately imported alcohol comes from Germany. The price difference is considered as high enough that many Swedes find it worth the effort of going by car or bus, crossing the Öresund-bridge to Danmark and finally going to the German town Puttgarden by ferry, only to reach one of the many liqueur stores just behind the border which are specialised for Scandinavian “alcohol-tourists”. Those stores charge usually a little more than the local supermarkets for the beverages – but Swedes obviously don't mind when they are in their gold-/alcohol-rush.

Ferries between Sweden and Germany, routes & fares

Tip for Swedes: So if you are a Swede and want to buy cheap alcohol in Germany – drive a little further into the villages and town to find one of the local supermarkets like ALDI, LIDL, Plus, Penny etc. These alcohol trips are so popular that student organisations at universities in the south of Sweden offer bus trips to German bordershops. If you ever went with the ferry from Germany to Denmark or directly to Sweden, you might have noticed a unusually large amount of Volvo V70 station wagons, with the rear wheels disappearing behind the wheel arches; the luggage space – with the down-folded rear seats – fully stuffed with beer pallets, wine boxes and liqueur bottles. In short, Swedes on their way home after a “Germany-trip”. So if you ever wondered why so many Swedes favor these roomy station wagons – now you know why.

How to buy alcohol in Sweden – Welcome to Systembolaget!

Systembolaget is the Swedish state owned monopoly for all alcoholic drinks with more than 3,5 percent of alcohol. Sure you can get your glas of wine or vodka in local pub but you are not allowed to take alcoholic beverages away from any of these places. Beer (folköl) an cider that contains less than 3,5% percent of alcohol can be sold in supermarkets and gas stations as well.

If you are in Sweden, invited over for dinner at a friend's place and want to buy a bottle of wine, on a Saturday afternoon – bad luck! Systembolaget usually closes around 3 p.m. on Saturdays and is closed all Sunday. Which is why you can see many Swedes pilgrimage to their local store on Friday afternoons to buy ahead for the weekend.

Working in Sweden – working culture in Swedish offices

Swedish alcohol law and penalties

Legal age to buy and drink alcohol in Sweden

Sweden is very strict when it comes to access of alcohol. One has to be age 18 to be allowed to drink any alcohol. To buy beer or wine in a restaurant, pub or night club in Sweden one has to be 18, too; same if you want buy low percentage beer/cider (<3.5%) in supermarkets.

To buy alcohol in Systembolaget one has to be age 20. When you go shopping at Systembolaget it is very usual that the cashier requests to have a look at your ID to verify your age – unless you look older than, say, thirty. The cashiers have to check everyones' ID if they believe that a customer could possibly be age 25 or lower. So, yes, if you're older than that and you get asked to show your ID, you may take it as a compliment.