The Riksbank: How Much Cash You Should Keep at Home

How much cash should you keep at home? The Swedish Riksbank now recommends that households keep at least SEK 1,000 per adult as a reserve in case of disruptions to the payment system.

In recent days, several authorities and economic institutions have highlighted the importance of Swedish households strengthening their payment preparedness. The background is that Sweden today is one of the most digitalized payment societies in the world – something that brings efficiency but also a certain level of vulnerability.

If digital payments stop working, for example due to extended power outages or technical disruptions, cash can become an important complement.

The Riksbank’s recommendation: at least SEK 1,000 in cash

The Riksbank recommends that households keep at least SEK 1,000 in cash per adult at home. The purpose is to be able to handle smaller purchases during periods when cards, mobile payments, or banking services are not functioning.

It is preferable to have cash in different denominations, as smaller banknotes may be easier to use in situations where change could be limited.

However, this amount is only a guideline. The amount of cash needed may vary depending on the size and needs of each household.

Payment preparedness requires multiple payment methods

The Riksbank emphasizes that cash should not replace digital payments, but rather serve as a complement.

In practice, households are encouraged to be able to pay in several different ways, including:

• cash as a backup
• bank cards
• mobile payment services
• alternative card networks

Having several payment options reduces the risk of being unable to pay if one system temporarily stops working

Many Swedes have little or no cash at home

Despite these recommendations, surveys show that many Swedes keep very little or no cash at home at all.

This represents a clear shift compared to earlier generations, when cash was a natural part of household finances. Today, the majority of payments in Sweden are made digitally.

At the same time, authorities remind the public that a functioning society requires robust payment systems, where cash also plays a role.

Cash as part of Sweden’s crisis preparedness

The issue of cash is also connected to Sweden’s total defense and crisis preparedness. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) encourages households to be able to manage for at least one week during societal disruptions.

In such situations, access to cash can make it easier to purchase essentials such as food, medicine, and other necessities if digital payments are not available.

As the discussion about payment preparedness grows, we are also seeing an increasing interest in physical assets. Cash can serve as a short-term backup during payment disruptions, while assets such as gold have historically been used as a long-term store of value.

At Tavex, we work daily with investment gold and silver and we meet many customers who want to strengthen their financial preparedness through physical assets.

How do you view cash as part of your financial preparedness? Do you keep cash at home – or rely entirely on digital payments?