Stockholm is a city of contrasts. It is filled with history, in its architecture, in its museums, in the medieval charm of its Old Town. Stockholm is also a looker, it is unquestionably beautiful. However, Stockholm is not only beautiful and historic, it is also modern and urban yet still very close to nature. Water is an ever-present feature in this city where lake and sea meet. Parks and green areas are all around and the atmosphere is refreshingly open and welcoming. Diversity, equality, and innovation are celebrated and embraced here. This is a modern hub for tech, fashion, music, film, design, gaming, and all creative industries. This is a place for those who want to be inspired, for those who want to create and make an impact. A place where trends are born and revolutionary technologies are invented. This is a city open to everything and to everyone.

For more information about Stockholm, please visit www.visitstockholm.com

     

Banks and ATM

Most banks in Stockholm are open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. There will be ATMs (Automatic Teller Machine) at Stockholmsmässan and all over the city of Stockholm. At the airport and main station and along the main streets you find currency exchange offices as well.

Emergency

Emergency Dial 112

Language

The official language is Swedish, but almost all Stockholmers speak and understand English.

Churches, Synagogues, Mosques

Although Stockholm (like the rest of Sweden) is basically protestant, all religions are allowed and practiced by many citizens. Please contact your hotel concierge for current times of services or nearby churches.

Climate

The wintery weather in Stockholm in February produces an average daytime temperature of just -1°C. This rarely breaks 0°C and at night it’ll be well below freezing. Sunshine hours increase to around three each day, from nine hours of daylight, with the sun setting at about 5pm at the end of the month of February.The month of July is Stockholm's warmest with an average daily temperature of 17, 7°C. January is the coldest with and average temperature of -3°C. 

Credit Cards and Cheques

All major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express are accepted in most of the establishments as restaurants, hotels and shopping-centres and stores. Travel checks can be cashed in most of the banks and exchange offices.

Currency and Exchange Bureaus

The official currency in Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK). The exchange rate is approximately 10,3 SEK to 1 EUR. You can exchange your currency without any limits for total amount at all banks as well as many exchange offices in Stockholm. When you are exchanging your currency, you need your passport or official ID card. If you don’t have it with you, the bank may refuse to exchange your currency.

In general, there is no need to exchange a lot of currency. Stockholm is a nearly cash-free city and at many restaurants, shops, and hotels the major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express are accepted.

Electricity

The typical mains voltage for households (as well as hotels) in Stockholm is 230 volts (alternating current). Most electric outlets adhere to the continental standard (Schuko). Appliances from North America require a transformer and British ones an adaptor for the two-pin sockets in use in Sweden.

Insurance

The conference fee does not include insurance. All participants should arrange for their own insurance. Health and accident insurance is recommended and has to be purchased in your country of origin.

Museums

Stockholm is home to many great art museums and you can also dive headfirst into the worlds of physics, biology, and chemistry at one of Stockholm’s science museums. In over a dozen museums, you pay no entry at all, and it's completely free to enjoy art, architecture, history, and culture from near and far. As is the case in many cities, Stockholm's museums are closed on Mondays. The opening times vary from museum to museum, but you can generally assume that a museum will be open between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.

Restaurants & Nightlife

Stockholm has experienced a culinary boom in recent years. New restaurants are opening one after another and now everything, it seems, revolves around food. The city is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and especially hot is the trend of excellent gourmet adventures but in the setting of a casual and highly affordable bistro.

More info: www.visitstockholm.com

Shopping

Shops are usually open Mon - Fri from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm, Sat until 4.00 pm, some shopping centers normally have longer opening hours and are open on Sundays. Smaller stores are closed on Sundays.

Telephones

The telephone prefix for calling Stockholm from other countries is: + 46

Time Zone

Stockholm is in the Central European time zone (CET = GMT / UCT + 1). Daylight saving time applies from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October (CEST).

Visas

If you wish to visit Stockholm, you should inquire whether you will need a visa or not. If you do, make sure to file an application in due time.
If you are an EU citizen, you must either present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of your stay in order to enter Denmark for tourist visits of up to three months.

Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest Swedish diplomatic post for further information.

Find more information at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden.

PLEASE CHECK THE CURRENT VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH THE NEAREST SWEDISH CONSULATE/EMBASSY IN YOUR COUNTRY BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE TO STOCKHOLM.

All congress participants with a pre-paid registration fee can obtain a visa invitation letter for the congress. Visa invitation letters which have to be signed and stamped by ECCO must be requested from the congress registration office in due time!