I will be in Stockholm for 6 days next month and I was just informed by a friend that the taxes in the restaurants are nearly 100%. Could that be true? I don't mind spending $$$ for food, and don't even mind the healthy tax, but isn't 100% a bit much? When I was in Norway a few years ago, the restaurant tax was about 23%. I felt better about paying it when I found out most of it was going towards the seniors and also to pay for higher education. But 100%!!! I am shocked. This surely will increase the cost of the trip. Does anyone have any experiences that would be of help?

I'm extremely doubtful. I was in Sweden last year and remember no such thing. Perhaps you can get more details about the restaurant and the form of the bill, and so on?

You piqued my curiousity and checked a business travel website I occassionally use. According to them, taxes are 20% of the total cost of meals. The highest in their survey, but clearly not 100%. It didn't mention this, but perhaps the 100% number you heard was on specific items (like alcohol) were they might use a variation of the "sin" tax.

Here's a link to the site.

http://traveltax.msu.edu/barometer/stockholm.htm

Unless things have changed very recently, I think it is the same as Denmark's -- about 25 pct. I think Sweden and Denmark have the highest restaurant tax in Europe.

The tax was also rolled into the cost and doesn't appear as a separate item; at least it was for me.

According to a quick check here at Fodors, and at Frommers: restaurant taxes are about 19% and are "invisible", that is, part of the cost and not a separate item.

Too bad the taxes aren't invisible to one's billfold.

AFAIK all the Scandinavian countries have a sales tax somewhere between 20% and 30%. Norway has 24% for everything except takeaway food and most groceries which are at half tax, i.e. 12%. But regardless in all of these countries EVERY price you will se will be listed inclusive tax which means what you see is what you pay. Actually service charge is also included in the price, so in comparison to USA when you read the meny outside the restaurant you atually can estimate the actual price on the bill

What might have caused the confusion could be the fact that Sweden and Norway (and perhaps Denmark) both have a large alcohol-"tax" which is a set amount depending on alcohol content not the expense of the bottle. Which means at least in the state-owned liquor-stores basic wine is expensive while very high class wine, where the alcohol fee is a small percentage is effectively better priced.

Sindre

Hmm, I forgot to include my point
So in a restaurant if you buy the cheapest wine upto almost 50% of the price goes right to the state. But that percentage goes down the higher up you go in price

Sindre

Thanks so much for all the responses. I kinda figured the info this "friend" gave me was way out of line. Certainly all these answers on this site are much more in line with reality and woth what I have seen in other countries.

Who cares whether the taxes are 19% or 20%? The real point is just how expensive EVERYTHING is in Sweden. Stockholm is a wonderful city with its many islands and beautiful architecture, but be prepared to spend a lot of money on over-priced food, taxis, and especially alcohol. I don't know how average Swedes do it - they must not go out to restaurants as often as Americans do.

Mostly, the sales taxes we pay in the US are "hidden" in the cost of everything in Europe (called VAT): many are actually spelled out on your bill/statement while included in the total price.
You may get refunds for the VAT on larger retail purchases, but not on food, drink, lodging, etc.
M
PS someone has to pay for the Euro worker's benefits! Why not tourists?