Sweden Country Code (+46): Complete Dialing Guide 2026
Complete guide to calling Sweden with country code +46. Learn Stockholm area codes, mobile prefixes (Telia, Tele2, Tre), and the cheapest ways to call.
The Sweden country code is +46. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Sweden in 2026, including how to dial Stockholm, Gothenburg, and other cities, mobile carrier prefixes (Telia, Tele2, Tre), and the cheapest ways to call Sweden from abroad.
Quick Reference: Sweden +46
Country Code: +46
Exit Code: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0
Capital: Stockholm
Time Zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
How to Call Sweden
International Dialing Format
To call Sweden from abroad:
+ 46 + area code + local numberImportant: Drop the leading "0" from Swedish numbers when calling from abroad. Example: 08 becomes 8.
Dialing Examples
Sweden Area Codes
| City | Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | Stockholm County | 08 | +46 8 |
| Gothenburg | Vastra Gotaland | 031 | +46 31 |
| Malmo | Skane | 040 | +46 40 |
| Uppsala | Uppsala County | 018 | +46 18 |
| Linkoping | Ostergotland | 013 | +46 13 |
| Vasteras | Vastmanland | 021 | +46 21 |
| Orebro | Orebro County | 019 | +46 19 |
| Norrkoping | Ostergotland | 011 | +46 11 |
| Helsingborg | Skane | 042 | +46 42 |
| Jonkoping | Jonkoping County | 036 | +46 36 |
| Umea | Vasterbotten | 090 | +46 90 |
Mobile Carriers in Sweden
| Carrier | Prefix | Market Share | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telia Sweden | 070, 076 | ~35% | 4G/5G | Former state telco, best coverage nationwide including rural |
| Tele2 | 072, 073 | ~30% | 4G/5G | Shares network with Telenor (merged infrastructure) |
| Tre (3 Sweden) | 076 | ~20% | 4G/5G | CK Hutchison owned, strong in urban areas |
| Telenor Sweden | 079 | ~15% | 4G/5G | Norwegian-owned, shares network with Tele2 |
Note: Sweden's mobile market is highly mature with over 125% mobile penetration (many people have multiple SIM cards). All four carriers offer extensive 5G coverage in cities and 4G coverage across virtually all populated areas. Number portability is common, so prefixes do not reliably indicate the current carrier.
Special & Emergency Numbers
| Number | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | SOS Alarm (All Emergencies) | Police, fire, ambulance; operators speak Swedish and English |
| 114 14 | Police Non-Emergency | For reporting crimes that are not in progress |
| 1177 | Healthcare Advice (Vardguiden) | Medical advice hotline, 24/7 |
| 116 111 | BRIS Child Helpline | Free support for children and young people |
| 020 (prefix) | Toll-Free Numbers | Free from Swedish phones, not reachable internationally |
| 0900 (prefix) | Premium-Rate Numbers | Higher charges, information and entertainment services |
| 0939 (prefix) | Charity Donation Lines | Used by charities for fundraising campaigns |
Cheapest Ways to Call Sweden
WhatsApp/Messenger
Free app-to-app calls. Sweden has very high smartphone penetration.
Best Times to Call Sweden
Sweden uses Central European Time (CET), UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer (CEST). Sweden observes EU daylight saving time. Swedes are generally punctual and prefer being called during reasonable hours.
Keep in mind that during Swedish winter, daylight hours are very short (6-7 hours in December in Stockholm), so Swedes tend to be early risers and early to bed. Summer is the opposite with 18+ hours of daylight, and many Swedes take extended vacations in July.
| Your Location | Offset to Sweden | Best Calling Window (your time) |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Sweden is +6 hours (winter) / +6 hours (summer) | 5:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | Sweden is +9 hours (winter) / +9 hours (summer) | 2:00 AM - 8:00 AM PST |
| United Kingdom (GMT/BST) | Sweden is +1 hour (year-round) | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM GMT |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Forgetting to drop the leading "0"
Swedish numbers domestically start with 0 (e.g., 08 for Stockholm, 070 for Telia mobile). When calling from abroad, drop this 0. Dial +46 8 for Stockholm, +46 70 for a Telia mobile. Dialing +46 08 or +46 070 will not connect.
Variable-length numbers
Swedish phone numbers have variable lengths. Stockholm uses a 1-digit area code (8) with up to 7 local digits, while smaller towns may use 3-digit area codes with 5 local digits. Mobile numbers are always 7 digits after the 2-digit prefix (e.g., 70 XXX XX XX). The total is always 7-9 digits after the country code.
Cannot reach Swedish toll-free 020 numbers
Swedish toll-free numbers starting with 020 only work from within Sweden. They cannot be reached from international numbers. If you need to contact a Swedish business, look for their regular landline number (usually a city area code) or mobile number on their website.
Calling during Swedish holidays
Sweden has several holidays where businesses and many individuals are unreachable: Midsummer (late June), the entire month of July (industrial vacation period), and Christmas/New Year. If you are trying to reach a business, avoid these periods. Personal calls during Midsummer weekend are also likely to go unanswered as many Swedes celebrate in rural areas with limited reception.
STIR/SHAKEN call blocking
Sweden has implemented strict anti-spam calling regulations. Some VoIP calls from abroad may be flagged or blocked if the calling number does not have proper caller ID attestation. If your calls are not going through, try using a reputable VoIP service like BubblyPhone that properly authenticates outbound calls.