Systembolaget

Systembolaget (Swedish: [sʏˈstêːmbʊˌlɑːɡɛt] , "the System Company"), colloquially known as systemet ("the system") or bolaget ("the company"), is a government-owned chain of liquor stores and online retailer for alcoholic beverages in Sweden. It is the only retail store allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that contain more than 3.5% alcohol by volume. Systembolaget acts as a portal for private companies selling alcohol on the Swedish market and as of 2023, it represents 1,200 vendors ranging from small local breweries to large scale importers and multinational companies, selling products from a total of over 5,000 producers from all over the world. Systembolaget also sells non-alcoholic beverages, although this product segment represents less than one percent of the company's total sales of beverages. The minimum age to buy alcohol at Systembolaget is 20 years. At Swedish restaurants and bars the legal age to buy alcoholic beverages is 18 years, though bars and clubs may voluntarily set an age limit higher than 18 if they prefer. Systembolaget's stores must close no later than 20:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on Saturdays. The online store delivers on weekdays between 10.00–20.00 and on Saturdays between 9.00–15.00. On Sundays and public holidays all Systembolaget's stores are closed and no home deliveries are delivered. Systembolaget's stores and home deliveries are also closed on Christmas Eve and Midsummer Eve.