Redeeming damaged and discoloured banknotes
The Riksbank has the possibility to redeem damaged and discoloured Swedish banknotes. The service is available for citizens of all countries.
Make an application
Request for the redemption of damaged or discoloured Swedish banknotes (PDF).
Conditions for redemption
The Riksbank redeems the banknotes for their full value if an area of at least two-thirds of the total banknote remains intact, or half of the total amount if an area of less than two-thirds, but more than one-third of the total banknote remains intact.
The Riksbank's statutes (RBFS 2020:1) state the conditions for redemption.
What does the process look like?
1. Submit your request
The first step for those who wish to redeem banknotes is to submit your request. This is easily done via BankID, but you are also able to use our form for redemption.
2. Send the banknotes to us
Once you have completed your request, send it together with the banknotes to the Riksbank at: Sveriges riksbank, Inlösen, 103 37 Stockholm. Contact your local post office if you want to know more about the postal service’s insurance terms. Please note that it is not possible to come to the Riksbank and hand in the banknotes in person; they can only be sent by post.
3. Processing
Once we have received your request, we will begin to process it. The processing time is normally 3-4 weeks. Cases that need to be supplemented with additional information will have a longer processing time.
Your request is assessed on the basis of The Sveriges Riksbank Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act (swedishbankers.se) and The Riksbank’s regulations (PDF).
4. Decision
Based on the information you have submitted, the Riksbank will form a decision. If your request is approved you will receive the value of your banknotes transferred to your bank account.
Questions & answers
Why has the Riksbank replaced its banknotes?
The new banknotes have new security features to make them harder to counterfeit. The older banknotes, which became invalid in 2016 and 2017, were designed around 30 years ago and needed to be modernised.
Why has the Riksbank replaced its coins?
Firstly, the new coins are much smaller and lighter, which means that the handling costs for coins will be lower. Secondly, the new coins are completely nickel-free. This eliminates the risk of nickel allergy, which is a problem for many people. Thirdly, there is less environmental impact as fewer transports are needed for the same value of coins.
The new coins are also much cheaper to produce, which means that the Riksbank, and thus the state, has lower costs.
By introducing a 2-krona coin, fewer coins will be needed as the 2-krona coin will replace two 1-krona coins in many payments.
Why did Riksbank change banknotes and coins?
Even if other methods of payments, such as card payments, are increasing the Riksbank assesses that cash will remain in use for a long time to come.
Contact
Contact the Riksbank, telephone +46 8-787 09 06. Telephone hours are non-holiday weekdays:
- Monday 1pm to 3pm,
- Wednesday 9am to 11am
- Fridays 9 am to 11 am
You can also contact us by email at [email protected].
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