Sweden to force grocery stores and pharmacies to accept cash

Cash payments in Sweden have declined rapidly, creating barriers for people who rely on cash. A new parliamentary decision requires grocery stores and pharmacies, with limited exceptions, to accept banknotes and coins. Banks will face clearer obligations to ensure cash deposit facilities are available throughout the country. The change aims to support people affected by digital exclusion, including older adults, people with disabilities, homeless people, and women who are victims of crime. The government is also urged to examine whether additional sectors, such as government agencies, should accept cash more broadly. The law takes effect on July 1.

"Swedish supermarkets, pharmacies and banks must do more to accept banknotes and coins, a new decision in parliament states. While cash usage has declined rapidly in Sweden, all political parties have now voted in favour of a new cash law. With a few exceptions, grocery stores and pharmacies will be required to accept cash payments. Banks will also have a clearer obligation to ensure that cash deposit facilities are available across the entire country."

""Half a million Swedes live in digital exclusion. These are people who depend on cash in their everyday lives. We are talking about the elderly, people with disabilities, the homeless and women who are victims of crime," the TT news agency quoted Sweden Democrat MP Dennis Dioukarev as saying during the parliamentary debate."

"The government has also been urged to investigate whether other sectors of society, such as government agencies, need to accept cash to a greater extent. The new law will come into force on July 1st."

Read at www.thelocal.se