The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) has begun distributing tax refunds to millions of Swedes, with payments scheduled between April 7-10, 2026. According to reports, over 32 billion SEK will be paid out to approximately 3.1 million people who submitted their tax declarations by March 31 without making changes.
Savings economists from major Swedish banks are offering advice on how to best utilize the refunds. Felicia Schön, savings economist at Avanza Bank, recommends prioritizing bill payments as the most important step. "Prio one is to pay all invoices, that's the most important," she said. She then suggests building an emergency fund of around 10,000 SEK for unexpected expenses, followed by paying off high-interest loans.
Prio one is to pay all invoices, that's the most important
Carl-Henrik Söderberg, savings economist at Nordnet, provides investment guidance based on time horizons. For short-term needs like summer vacations, he recommends keeping money in savings accounts rather than exposing it to stock market risks. However, for longer-term savings of three to five years, he suggests the stock market remains the best option for higher returns over time.
Both economists emphasize the importance of diversification in investment portfolios. Söderberg recommends a simple but effective approach: "A Swedish large-cap fund, a global fund, and adding a Swedish or Nordic small-cap fund gives you important risk diversification."
A Swedish large-cap fund, a global fund, and adding a Swedish or Nordic small-cap fund gives you important risk diversification
Authorities have also issued warnings about potential fraud attempts during the tax refund period, urging recipients to remain vigilant.