Running a business in Sweden means complying with strict regulations, especially when handling sales. A certified cash register is legally required for tax compliance, in most scenarios.

Choosing the right cash register for your business depends on your business model, payment methods, and long-term plans. While some businesses can manage well with a simple cash register, others might need the flexibility of a complete point-of-sale (POS) system. And businesses also need to decide whether to buy or rent these devices.

Below, we’ll explain how to choose a simple cash register in Sweden, and how to stay compliant with legal requirements.

What’s in this article?

• What is a simple cash register, and how does it work in Sweden?
  
• What are the legal requirements for cash registers in Sweden?
  
• Which features should businesses look for in a simple cash register?
  
• What are the costs of a simple cash register in Sweden?
  
• How does a simple cash register compare to a POS system?
  
• What else should businesses consider before they buy or rent a simple cash register in Sweden?
  

What is a simple cash register, and how does it work in Sweden?

A simple cash register handles sales, calculates totals (including tax), stores cash, and prints receipts. It’s the primary tool for logging transactions in brick-and-mortar businesses, whether they’re a small café, a boutique, or a service-based shop.

In Sweden, a certified cash register is a legal requirement for most businesses. If you sell goods or services in person, you must use a certified cash register system that meets Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) standards.

What are the legal requirements for cash registers in Sweden?

Sweden has strict rules to ensure that businesses report sales accurately. These rules are mandatory for most retail stores, cafés, restaurants, salons, and service providers. Some businesses are exempt, including:

• Businesses with very low sales volume (under 235,200 Swedish krona, or SEK, per year)
  
• Taxi operations
  
• Ecommerce, vending machines, and door-to-door sales
  

Nonexempt businesses must comply with the following regulations set by Skatteverket.

Certified cash register and control unit

You must pair your register with a certified control unit. This unit generates a unique control code for every sale, which prevents tampering and supports compliance. When you start using a new register, you must certify it with Skatteverket.

Daily cash management and payment-type logging

At the start of each day, log your initial cash float, and track any cash added or removed; this helps you keep accurate records. You must also confirm the clock inside the cash register is
set correctly.

Receipt for every sale

Every transaction must generate a receipt. Even if a customer refuses it, you still need to print or send one. Electronic receipts are allowed as long as they’re sent in a way the customer can receive them (e.g., via email).

Secure transaction logging

Your cash register system automatically logs and stores transaction data, including control codes. These codes help tax authorities verify sales and detect fraud during audits. You must store the cash register’s electronic journal for at least seven years as part of your official accounting records.

Daily reports and stored records

At the end of each day, you must generate a Z-report summarizing all transactions. These reports contain important accounting information for tax purposes, and they are typically stored electronically.

Compliance inspections and fines

Skatteverket can inspect your business at any time without notice. It might check if your cash register is certified, verify transaction logs, or request specific receipt codes. If you’re not compliant, expect fines of up to 12,500 SEK for first-time violations and 25,000 SEK if the offense is repeated within a year.

Which features should businesses look for in a simple cash register?

Not all cash registers are the same. In Sweden, a good, simple cash register should be easy to use, legally compliant, and efficient at handling daily transactions. Here’s what to consider.

Ease of use

The interface should be straightforward, with clear buttons or a touch screen. The register should require minimal training—staff should be able to easily ring up sales, apply discounts, and issue refunds—and generally speed up the checkout process.

Core functions

The register must calculate value-added tax (VAT) correctly, and print receipts with all required details. Some models let you preprogram product categories (e.g., “Food” and “Drinks”) to simplify sales tracking. If you need to preset item prices, confirm that the register has enough Price Look Up (PLU) slots.

Integration with payment systems

Your register should easily connect to a card reader, so that payment amounts transfer automatically. A stand-alone card reader that is not linked to the register means extra manual reconciliation, so businesses might want to avoid this if possible.

In Sweden, a card reader’s slip is not a valid receipt on its own—your register must issue one. If you use Stripe for online payments, consider a POS system that integrates with it for unified reporting.

Reporting and records

At a minimum, the cash register should generate Z-reports (end-of-day summaries) and store records for seven years to meet Swedish requirements. X-reports (midday sales totals) can be useful for tracking performance in real time. Some registers allow data exports for accounting, which is helpful if you don’t want to enter everything manually.

Security features

A lockable cash drawer is standard—this prevents unauthorized access. “No sale” drawer openings should be logged or require a manager key. If it has an electronic journal, make sure you can back up data (via an SD card, USB, or cloud storage).

Compliance with Swedish law

The register must connect to a certified control unit, and be registered with Skatteverket. It should store control codes for every transaction in case of an inspection. Look for models that make compliance easy—some registers simplify duplicate receipts and control code retrieval.

Other useful features

Though not always necessary, a few features are nice to have. These include barcode scanner support (useful in retail, but not all businesses need it), kitchen printer or order display (for cafés and restaurants), cloud connectivity for remote access to sales data, and compact or battery-powered models if a business sells at outdoor markets or pop-ups.

What are the costs of a simple cash register in Sweden?

A simple cash register is a one-time investment for some businesses and an ongoing cost for others, depending on whether they buy or rent. Prices vary based on features, compliance requirements, and how long a business plans to use it.

Buying or renting

• Buying: Prices for new certified cash registers vary depending on the features. Very basic models cost the least, while advanced registers with more functions or integrations are more expensive.
  
• Renting: Costs for rentals also vary, but renting spreads your costs over time, and it often includes maintenance.
  

Ongoing expenses

• Receipt paper and consumables: Paper, thermal rolls, and ink ribbons are minor but recurring costs.
  
• Repairs and maintenance: Control units can fail over time; extended warranties or service contracts might be available.
  
• Software updates: If VAT rules change, some registers require updates—check if they’re free or paid. Unlike cloud-based POS systems, most basic registers avoid ongoing software fees.
  

Cost considerations by industry

• Retail and boutiques: A midrange register can last for years.
  
• Restaurants and cafés: These businesses might start with a simple register, but eventually upgrade to a POS for inventory and table management.
  
• Pop-ups and seasonal shops: Renting each season might be better than buying a register that sits unused for months.
  
• Mobile businesses: A tablet, card reader, and small cash drawer can be more cost-effective than a traditional cash register.
  

Up-front vs. long-term value

A 15,000 SEK register that lasts 7 to 10 years doesn’t cost a lot per year of use. If a more expensive model saves you time on reporting or compliance, it could pay for itself quickly. The cheapest option might lack key features, but a pricier system could be overkill, depending on your business model. Choose based on your business needs, not solely on price.

How does a simple cash register compare to a POS system?

Both cash registers and POS systems process sales, but they serve different business needs. If you’re deciding between the two, consider these differences.

Functionality

Cash registers handle the basics: ringing up sales, printing receipts, and storing cash. POS systems do all that and more—syncing sales with inventory, offering real-time reports, managing customer history, and automating bookkeeping.

Flexibility and upgrades

Cash registers are static—no software updates, no add-ons. What you buy is what you get.
POS systems evolve. They run on software, which means you can update features, integrate apps, and adopt new payment methods as they emerge.

Ease of use

Cash registers win on simplicity. Staff can usually learn them in minutes, while POS systems require more setup and training; however, they are often intuitive once configured.

Cost considerations

POS systems often involve higher up-front costs or monthly subscriptions, which add up over time. The benefit is that you receive better automation, insights, and efficiency.

The right fit

A cash register is ideal for small businesses with simple sales—for example, cafés, barbershops, market stalls, or boutique stores. It works well if a business doesn’t need inventory tracking or customer insights, and it’s less hassle—with no software updates or connectivity demands.

A POS system makes sense for businesses that:

• Track inventory, manage multiple sales channels, or need detailed reports
  
• Process high volumes and want automated bookkeeping, loyalty programs, or remote access to data
  
• Want to integrate in-person and online sales into one system via Stripe or other online payment platforms
  

What else should businesses consider before they buy or rent a simple cash register in Sweden?

Once you know what you need, the next step is getting the right cash register. Regardless of whether you buy or rent, here’s what to consider.

Choose new or used

New registers are available from authorized dealers specializing in kassasystem (cash register systems) and some office supply stores. Always check that the model is certified for Swedish compliance. Buying new guarantees warranty and support.

Used registers can save money, but they might require more diligence. Make sure that:

• The model is still compliant with current laws
  
• The control unit is included and can be reregistered to your business
  
• You’re buying from a reputable reseller, you have the unit inspected by a technician, or both
  

Check before committing

If a deal seems too good to be true, double-check what’s included. Low-cost options might lack necessary components such as control units or compliance features. Do research on these core checklist items:

• Compliance: Ensure it’s Skatteverket-approved (ask for the manufacturer’s declaration).
  
• Setup and training: Find out if the supplier helps with VAT settings and registering the device.
  
• Support and warranty: Confirm how long coverage lasts and if on-site service is available.
  
• Upgrade potential: Ask if you can add features later on (e.g., barcode scanners, larger cash drawers).
  

Future-proof your choice

Though you obviously want to consider your immediate business needs, keep an eye out for how you could use and adapt this investment in the years to come:

• Ability to scale: If you open more locations, you’ll want registers that can be linked.
  
• Future payment trends: Cash use is declining; check that your register system supports digital payments.
  
• Integration with your business: If you use Stripe for online payments, consider a register that can later transition to a POS system.