Stockholm

In Sweden, a 12 or 25% value-added tax (VAT) is applied to almost all products. Travelers living outside EU countries can receive a refund of up to 19% of VAT paid by completing a procedure for purchases of 200 SEK or more at one shop per day if the shop has a TAX FREE sign.

At shops with a TAX FREE sign, if you spend 200 SEK or more, tell the vendor that you are a visitor and they will create a tax free form for you. You will need to show some ID and your passport number, so it is best to bring your passport with you when shopping. You cannot open purchased products for which you are requesting a tax refund until you have left Sweden or your final EU destination.

When leaving the country, if you will be traveling directly to Japan from Sweden or to a country outside the EU, you need to complete a procedure to receive the refund when leaving Sweden. The procedure is as follows.
To check in tax-free items at Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport, visit the tax exemption counter on the departure floor of Terminal 5. At this counter, you can submit the tax-free documents created at the time of purchase and have a proxy stamp applied. Be sure to attach the receipt from the purchase to the tax-free documents. You will also be asked to show your airline ticket, passport, and the unopened packaging of the purchased items, so be sure to have them ready in advance. The deadline to receive the stamp is within three months from the end of the month of purchase. After receiving the stamp, complete the departure procedure. To receive your refund at Arlanda International Airport, after receiving your stamp, complete your boarding procedures, and then submit your tax-free documents at the tax refund counter in the transit area. You can also receive the refund via credit card or have a bank check mailed to your home. The deadline to submit the tax-free documents (after receiving your customs stamp) is within one year from the date of purchase.
When bringing tax-free items on board in carry-on baggage, receive a customs stamp after completing the departure procedure and go to the tax refund counter in the transit area. If you have received a proxy stamp, attach a copy of your passport when submitting the tax-free documents. If you will travel to other EU countries after leaving Sweden, the procedure must be completed when leaving the last EU country to receive the tax refund, so you do not need to complete any procedures in Sweden. You can also complete the procedure for tax forms from several countries at once.

A service charge is included in most prices, so tipping is not customary. You may provide a tip when receiving a special service such as having heavy baggage carried for you at a hotel.

Please note that moveable feast dates (marked with an asterisk) may vary by city.

Below is a guide for general business hours. Shops in major cities like Stockholm are often open on Sundays. Some privately-managed restaurants take a long vacation in July.

Mon. to Wed. and Fri., 10:00 to 15:00, Thu. 10:00 to 16:00 or 17:30. Closed on weekends. Some banks are open until 18:00 in Stockholm.

Mon. to Fri. 8:00 to 18:00. Closed on weekends.

Mon. to Fri. 10:00 to 19:00, Sat. 10:00 to 17:00, Sun. 12:00 to 17:00.

Mon. to Fri. 10:00 to 18:00, Sat. 10:00 to 14:00 or 16:00. Closed on Sundays.

Mon. to Fri. 9:30 to 20:00, Sat. 9:00 to 16:00, generally closed on Sundays, but some open on Sundays in urban areas.

Drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco are prohibited for those under 18. Some car rental companies also require you to be at least 19 or 25 years of age.

Tobacco is heavily taxed and is very expensive. Smoking is prohibited by law in public places and train stations and airports are completely non-smoking. Most hotels, restaurants, and bars are also non-smoking.