https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Sweden in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Planning on buying a bottle of bubbles for New Year's Eve? Make sure you're aware of Systembolaget's opening hours. https://www.thelocal.se/20241223/when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-christmas-and-new-years-2024 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:25:15 +0100 when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-christmas-and-new-years-2024 Planning on buying a bottle of wine for Christmas or some bubbles for New Year's Eve? Make sure you're aware of Systembolaget's opening hours. https://www.thelocal.se/20251222/when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-the-holidays-2 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:04:06 +0100 when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-the-holidays-2 The Midsummer's Eve aquavit is safe. https://www.thelocal.se/20250605/swedes-breathe-sigh-of-relief-after-systembolaget-strike-is-called-off Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:30:19 +0200 swedes-breathe-sigh-of-relief-after-systembolaget-strike-is-called-off If there's one way to spark the ire of Swedes, it's by telling them they may not get their aquavit in time for Midsummer. https://www.thelocal.se/20250528/swedes-fear-alcohol-shortage-as-systembolaget-summer-strike-looms Wed, 28 May 2025 11:50:52 +0200 swedes-fear-alcohol-shortage-as-systembolaget-summer-strike-looms More Swedes trust the state-run alcohol monopoly Systembolaget more than the Church of Sweden, new figures reveal. But which companies do they trust the most, and who were the worst of the bunch? https://www.thelocal.se/20250224/which-companies-do-swedes-trust-the-most Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:18:59 +0100 which-companies-do-swedes-trust-the-most If you're thinking of quitting the booze, now may be a good time, as Sweden may run low on alcohol in just a few days. https://www.thelocal.se/20240424/why-sweden-may-have-an-alcohol-shortage-this-weekend Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:33:40 +0200 why-sweden-may-have-an-alcohol-shortage-this-weekend If you haven't stocked up on alcohol in Sweden you risk having to dance around the maypole like a frog with nothing stronger than pickled herring. https://www.thelocal.se/20230620/systembolaget-when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-midsummer Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:12:05 +0200 systembolaget-when-can-you-buy-alcohol-in-sweden-over-midsummer Buying booze in Sweden isn't as simple as in most other European countries: there are strict rules, a monopoly on sales and social rules that are hard for foreigners to get used to. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.se/20200524/buying-alcohol-in-sweden-what-you-need-to-know Sun, 24 May 2020 16:26:34 +0200 buying-alcohol-in-sweden-what-you-need-to-know Systembolaget is the only place shoppers can buy alcohol over 3.5 percent in Sweden. Despite its strict rules, it's an institution beloved by many Swedes, but certainly not without its critics. The Local finds out what Swedes love and hate about the state-run monopoly. https://www.thelocal.se/20190611/understanding-systembolaget-swedens-state-owned-alcohol-monopoly Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:39:26 +0200 understanding-systembolaget-swedens-state-owned-alcohol-monopoly Before planning your alcohol shopping this New Year's Eve, here's everything you need to know about Systembolaget's opening hours, Covid restrictions, and alcohol-free options. https://www.thelocal.se/20211223/what-you-need-to-know-about-buying-alcohol-in-sweden-this-christmas-and-new-years Thu, 23 Dec 2021 11:57:53 +0100 what-you-need-to-know-about-buying-alcohol-in-sweden-this-christmas-and-new-years The Swedish alcohol chain Systembolaget has trialled home delivery in select areas since 2019, but soon the service will be available for all Swedish regions. https://www.thelocal.se/20211020/alcohol-monopoly-systembolaget-now-offering-home-delivery-across-sweden Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:25:19 +0200 alcohol-monopoly-systembolaget-now-offering-home-delivery-across-sweden Swedish alcohol monopoly store Systembolaget will roll out self-checkout tills in two of its stores. https://www.thelocal.se/20210913/swedish-alcohol-monopoly-systembolaget-to-trial-self-checkout-tills Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:41:54 +0200 swedish-alcohol-monopoly-systembolaget-to-trial-self-checkout-tills Sweden's alcohol monopoly remains one of the country's most trusted institutions but there are myriad rules that can surprise even those well-versed in Swedish bureaucracy, as The Local's Catherine Edwards learned the hard way. https://www.thelocal.se/20210125/how-my-systembolaget-fail-took-swedens-unyielding-rules-to-the-next-level Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:58:44 +0100 how-my-systembolaget-fail-took-swedens-unyielding-rules-to-the-next-level As part of a budget bill aimed at kickstarting the economy, Sweden's government has raised alcohol taxes with the aim of funding the country's defence strategy. https://www.thelocal.se/20200921/sweden-just-raised-taxes-on-alcohol-to-fund-its-defence Mon, 21 Sep 2020 16:17:53 +0200 sweden-just-raised-taxes-on-alcohol-to-fund-its-defence Sweden's state-run alcohol chain Systembolaget has advised customers not to buy its spirits as a substitute for hand sanitiser. https://www.thelocal.se/20200421/swedes-warned-vodka-wont-protect-you-from-the-coronavirus Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:42:52 +0200 swedes-warned-vodka-wont-protect-you-from-the-coronavirus Sweden's state-run alcohol monopoly Systembolaget has accused a Danish app for rating and reviewing wines of breaking the country's strict laws around sale and advertisement of alcohol. https://www.thelocal.se/20200220/systembolaget-calls-to-ban-danish-wine-selling-app Thu, 20 Feb 2020 12:26:44 +0100 systembolaget-calls-to-ban-danish-wine-selling-app Sweden's state-run alcohol monopoly chain Systembolaget is planning to cut the costs of its cheapest beer from next year. https://www.thelocal.se/20191126/beer-could-be-about-to-get-cheaper-in-sweden-systembolaget Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:15:34 +0100 beer-could-be-about-to-get-cheaper-in-sweden-systembolaget Swedish conservative opposition leaders have sparked debate about the country's alcohol monopoly and tacos (bear with us) after calling for Systembolaget to be open on Sundays. https://www.thelocal.se/20190913/should-systembolaget-stay-open-on-sundays Fri, 13 Sep 2019 10:46:03 +0200 should-systembolaget-stay-open-on-sundays After a long trial period, Sweden's state-run Systembolaget chain will be able to deliver alcohol home to customers across the entire country. https://www.thelocal.se/20190617/systembolaget-sweden-opens-up-alcohol-home-delivery-to-everyone Mon, 17 Jun 2019 18:07:13 +0200 systembolaget-sweden-opens-up-alcohol-home-delivery-to-everyone People in Sweden show no sign of falling out of love with state-run alcohol monopoly Systembolaget, according to a study of the population's trust in different institutions, companies and political parties. https://www.thelocal.se/20190322/trust-in-swedens-alcohol-monopoly-government Fri, 22 Mar 2019 08:51:57 +0100 trust-in-swedens-alcohol-monopoly-government