🇸🇪 Sweden Becomes a Popular Destination for Danish Cross-Border Shoppers

A growing number of Danish consumers are heading across the Øresund Bridge to buy sweets and cheaper cigarettes in Sweden.

According to a new report by KPMG, commissioned by tobacco company Philip Morris, Sweden has now surpassed Germany as the preferred destination for Danes purchasing cigarettes.

One of the main reasons? Savings of up to 15 DKK per pack when compared to Danish prices.

🚭 A Challenge for Danish Retailers

Claus Bøgelund Nielsen, Deputy Director of the Danish grocery association De Samvirkende Købmænd, considers this shift problematic. While he supports efforts to reduce smoking through high prices, he emphasizes that:

“Cigarettes bought abroad are no less harmful. That’s why we believe tax revenues, VAT, and jobs should stay in Denmark.”

He suggests introducing purchase limits similar to those in France, where individuals can buy a maximum of 200 cigarettes. In most other European countries, the limit is 800 cigarettes.

🧾 Government Response

However, Danish Tax Minister Jeppe Bruus has rejected the proposal. He argues that high domestic prices are a tool to discourage young people from taking up smoking in the first place.

🚗 Logistics & Alternatives

While shopping in Sweden might offer lower prices, crossing the bridge comes with a cost. Even with a discount, a round trip over the Øresund Bridge can cost around 350 DKK.

For those looking to avoid the trip altogether, some freight services legally collect goods in Sweden and deliver them directly to Danish customers — offering a convenient alternative to physical cross-border shopping.