Half of Swedes have already planned their summer holiday, but many face financial challenges, according to a new survey carried out by Ipsos on behalf of Danske Bank. Nearly half of all Swedes are worried they will not be able to afford their summer vacation.
How Swedes finance their holidays
The survey shows that just over one in five Swedes plan to use their tax refund to cover holiday expenses. Almost twice as many men (14 percent) as women (8 percent) say they intend to use credit cards or sell investments to pay for their vacation. Still, 56 percent of respondents plan to use saved funds to finance their holiday.
Rising holiday costs for many
At the same time, 30 percent of Swedes expect to spend more on their holiday this year than they did in 2024. This trend is especially pronounced among younger people under 45, who are more likely to report that their holiday will cost more this year.
“It’s of course positive that most people plan to use their savings to finance the holiday, but we must remember that we currently face both rising living costs and unemployment. Now is a good time to ensure you have solid savings and to consider whether it’s wise to rely on credit cards or sell investments for a vacation,” says Jennie Sandén, personal finance expert at Danske Bank Sweden.
What does a Swedish holiday cost?
The survey also finds that nearly one in five respondents estimate their summer holiday will cost more than 25,000 SEK. Almost half of Swedes plan to travel abroad during the summer.
“It’s clear that Swedes highly value their holidays. Wanting rest and recovery is understandable, but arriving in autumn with depleted savings or credit card bills can be tough—especially for families with children, who often face higher holiday costs,” says Jennie Sandén.
Survey facts
- 46% say they will travel abroad, with more men (51%) than women (41%) planning to go overseas.
- 37% of those under 45 expect to spend more on their holiday this year than last year, compared with 23% of those over 45.
- 22% will use their tax refund to fund their holiday.
- Almost half, 45%, are worried they cannot afford their holiday.
- The survey included 1,000 respondents and was conducted in March 2025.