Guide: How To Get A Swedish Personal Identity Number

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Swedish Personal Identity Number

A Swedish personal identity number, also known as “personnummer” in Swedish (yes, time to start practicing that Swedish), is essential for anyone planning to live, work, or study in Sweden. In this guide, we go through detailed information on what a personal identity number is, eligibility criterias, and the application process. Time to get settled!

What is a Swedish Personal Identity Number?

The Swedish personal identity number consists of your date of birth followed by a personal four-digit number, formatted as YYYYMMDD-XXXX. Issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), this number is crucial for various daily activities, such as signing up for important insurances and subscribing to memberships and services. 

Additionally, this number is required to apply for your personal Swedish ID-card as well as to get Bank-ID (your personal digital signature).

Eligibility for a Swedish Personal Identity Number

In most cases, you should be listed in the Swedish Population Register if you have moved to and plan to live in Sweden for one year or more. When you are listed in the Swedish Population Register, you’ll also be assigned a Swedish personal identity number. 

You should however not be listed in the Swedish Population Register if you plan to stay here for less than one year. If so, you can not get a Swedish Personal Identity Number and instead you should apply for a Swedish Coordination Number. You can read more about that at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), as well as book a time for a visit at your nearest Tax Agency Office to get it sorted.

To be eligible for a Swedish Personal Identity Number, you must meet certain criterias:

For International Students:

• Have a residence permit valid for at least 12 months.
• Be admitted to a study program lasting 13 months or more.
• Note* You will need a registration certificate from your university to prove your enrollment.

Students enrolled for less than 12 months are not eligible for a personal identity number.

For EU/EEA Citizens:

• In order to be eligible for a Swedish Personal Identity Number, you have to intend to stay and live in Sweden for at least one year.
• All EU/EEA citizens have the right to stay in Sweden for up to three months.

For Expats/International Employees in Sweden:

• In order to be eligible for a personal identity number, you have to intend to stay, live and work in Sweden for at least one year.

If you intend to live and work in Sweden for less than one year, you should not apply for a Swedish Personal Identity Number, and instead apply for a Coordination Number.  

The Application Process

Applying for a Swedish Personal Identity Number is fairly straightforward, although it requires a few important steps:

1. Pre-Arrival Preparation:

Complete the Move to Sweden form at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), before arriving in Sweden, but not earlier than 14 days before your arrival. This form helps you gather all the necessary documents and saves you time once you’ve arrived in Sweden. 

Required Documents:

• Valid passport or national ID card (for EU citizens)
• Admission letter showing enrollment for at least 12 months
• Proof of enrollment in a recognized study program in Sweden (Students only)
• Additional documents based on personal circumstances (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate for children, proof of sufficient funds, comprehensive health insurance for EU citizens)‍

2. Visit a Tax Agency Office in Sweden:

Once here, it’s time to visit a Swedish Tax Agency office to complete your registration. You can find your nearest office, read more, and book an available time on the Swedish Tax Agency booking page. Make sure to bring all the necessary documents for your specific situation.

3. After Receiving Your Swedish Personal Identity Number

Once you have your Personal Identity Number, you are ready to start using it for various things in Sweden, such as signing up for services. You may also want to get yourself a Swedish ID card.

How To Apply for a Swedish ID Card

Book an appointment to apply for a Swedish ID card, which can be used as proof of age and identity. Similar to the previous step, you can book a time on the  Swedish Tax Agency booking page. You can also book a time during your visit at the Tax Agency Office when you finalize your application and registration for your Personal Identity Number. 

For more detailed information, visit the Swedish Tax Agency’s official website.