Payments shall be safe. The payments system shall be stable, resilient to disruptions in normal times and able to function in peacetime crises and states of heightened alert. It shall be possible to use multiple payment methods so that payments can be made even if there is a disruption in any part of the payments system. There shall be a high level of protection against fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing. The payer and payee shall be confident that the payment will be received, that the cash received is genuine, and that identity data and card details are not disclosed and used by unauthorised persons.

Payments shall be efficient. The costs to society, including energy consumption, for different methods of payment should be low. Fees shall be transparent and payments shall be quick and easy. There shall also be healthy competition between operators offering payment services. This means, among other things, that the payments system shall be accessible to different types of operator who want to offer payment services.

Payments shall be accessible. It shall be possible for everyone in Sweden to pay at a reasonable cost. Users shall have good access to payment services and there shall be different payment methods to choose between, depending on the situation and conditions.

The objectives of safe, efficient and accessible payments can sometimes be reconciled, but they also in conflict with each other.