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This paper begins with a description and discussion of the historical development of the five Nordic countries’ relations to the European Union (EU), particularly the arguments for and against membership. I shall attempt to detect some common Nordic attitudes to the EU. Then I shall turn to a discussion of what ‘Nordic’ means in terms of culture and go on to describe Nordic co-operation historically. This includes what is particular for the education systems in the Nordic countries and for Swedish education policy. Finally I shall define what a ‘Nordic dimension in education’ might mean. This leads to a description of the development of the ‘European dimension in education’ in the EU and the possible tensions between this and the Nordic. I shall also discuss how Sweden can deal with these tensions either through the Nordic Council or on its own.