🌍Sweden and the world

Sweden's international role: the EU, the Nordic region, the UN and NATO.

The most important things to know

• Sweden became a member of the European Union in 1995.
• Sweden's currency is the Swedish krona. In the 2003 referendum, Sweden voted no to introducing the euro.
• Sweden has been a member of the United Nations (UN) since 1946.
• Sweden became a member of NATO in 2024.
• Nordic cooperation makes it easier for citizens of Nordic countries to work and live in each other's countries.
• Elections to the European Parliament are held every five years.

Key terms

EU

The European Union, a cooperation between European countries.

UN

The United Nations, a world organisation for peace and cooperation.

NATO

A defence alliance in which member countries pledge to defend one another.

The European Parliament

The EU's directly elected assembly.