What is the ECB and the ECB reference rate?

The European Central Bank (ECB) is a central bank for the EU member countries that are using euro as their currency. The ECB is, among other things, responsible for price stability and to ensure the value of the euro in collaboration with the national central banks within the Euro zone. The ECB publishes reference rates for EEA currencies on a daily basis. These rates are not used for transactions, they are published only as reference currency rates to help customers comparing currency exchange fees.

What is an EEA currency?

The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the member states of the European Union (EU), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. EEA currencies are the euro (EUR) and other national currencies of EEA countries. The following currencies are EEA currencies: Euro (EUR) Forint (HUF), Hungary Franc (CHF), Liechtenstein Leu (RON), Romania Leva (BNG), Bulgaria Koruna (CZK), Czech republic Krona (DDK), Denmark Krona (ISK), Iceland Krona (NOK), Norway Krona (SEK), Sweden Kuna (HRK), Croatia Zloty (PLN), Poland

Why does the Bank have a currency exchange calculator to compare currency exchange fees?

The reason is a new EU regulation for cross-border payments. The purpose is to make it easier for you, as a customer, to compare the total currency exchange surcharge when making a purchase or withdrawal in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor. You compare in relation to the ECB reference rate. The surcharge varies depending on ECB's current exchange rates.

Why do I receive a notification regarding the currency exchange surcharge?

According to a new EU regulation, the Bank is obliged to send an electronic message to you when you have made a card purchase or withdrawal in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor.

Will I receive notifications for card transactions all-over the world?

Notifications will be sent for card purchases and withdrawals in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor. Regardless of where in the world the transaction has taken place.

How do I turn on or off notifications in my mobile phone?

As a customer you can always choose to turn on or off notifications from the Bank. You do that under settings in your mobile or tablet. Just remember that if you turn off notifications, you could risk missing important information from the Bank.

What is the Bank's currency exchange surcharge?

The Bank's surcharge is as previously announced 1.65 percent on all personal cards. The reference surcharge may however go up or down depending on the ECB reference rates.

When will I have use for the currency exchange calculator?

When making a card purchase in another currency, you may be offered to pay in Swedish kronor. In such case it can be useful to compare that amount with the Bank's amount and fees.

Currency Exchange calculator

The rate shown here is the percentage difference between the Handelsbanken rate and ECB rate.

Card purchase

Cash withdrawal

Enter amount

Select the information in the calculator to estimate the cost of your transaction in Swedish Crowns.

The European Central Bank Rate (ECB rate) is a reference rate that enables you to compare Handelsbanken’s rate against other providers. As it may take a few days for your payment to be processed, the rate shown and the rate you are charged may differ.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is a central bank for the EU member countries that are using euro as their currency. The ECB is, among other things, responsible for price stability and to ensure the value of the euro in collaboration with the national central banks within the Euro zone.

The ECB publishes reference rates for EEA currencies on a daily basis. These rates are not used for transactions, they are published only as reference currency rates to help customers comparing currency exchange fees.
The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the member states of the European Union (EU), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

EEA currencies are the euro (EUR) and other national currencies of EEA countries. The following currencies are EEA currencies:
- Euro (EUR)
- Forint (HUF), Hungary
- Franc (CHF), Liechtenstein
- Leu (RON), Romania
- Leva (BNG), Bulgaria
- Koruna (CZK), Czech republic
- Krona (DDK), Denmark
- Krona (ISK), Iceland
- Krona (NOK), Norway
- Krona (SEK), Sweden
- Kuna (HRK), Croatia
- Zloty (PLN), Poland
The reason is a new EU regulation for cross-border payments. The purpose is to make it easier for you, as a customer, to compare the total currency exchange surcharge when making a purchase or withdrawal in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor. You compare in relation to the ECB reference rate. The surcharge varies depending on ECB's current exchange rates.
According to a new EU regulation, the Bank is obliged to send an electronic message to you when you have made a card purchase or withdrawal in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor.
Notifications will be sent for card purchases and withdrawals in another EEA currency than Swedish kronor. Regardless of where in the world the transaction has taken place.
As a customer you can always choose to turn on or off notifications from the Bank. You do that under settings in your mobile or tablet. Just remember that if you turn off notifications, you could risk missing important information from the Bank.
The Bank's surcharge is as previously announced 1.65 percent on all personal cards. The reference surcharge may however go up or down depending on the ECB reference rates.
When making a card purchase in another currency, you may be offered to pay in Swedish kronor. In such case it can be useful to compare that amount with the Bank's amount and fees.

Currency Exchange calculator

FAQ