Your First Personnummer: Complete Guide to Getting a Swedish Personal Number

If you're moving to Sweden, the personnummer (personal identity number) is the single most important thing you'll need. Without it, you'll find everyday life surprisingly difficult. This guide walks you through exactly how to get one.

What is a Personnummer?

A personnummer is Sweden's personal identity number - a unique 10 or 12-digit number assigned to everyone registered in Sweden. The format is YYMMDD-XXXX (10 digits) or YYYYMMDD-XXXX (12 digits).

For example: 850315-1234 or 19850315-1234

The number contains:

• Your birth date (first 6 or 8 digits)
• A birth number (3 digits, odd for males, even for females)
• A check digit (1 digit)

Why is the Personnummer So Important?

In Sweden, almost everything requires a personnummer:

Service	Without Personnummer	With Personnummer
Bank account	Very limited options	Full access
Mobile phone contract	Prepaid only	All plans available
Doctor/Healthcare	Emergency only	Full access via 1177
Apartment rental	Nearly impossible	Queue systems open
Salary payment	Complicated	Standard process
BankID (digital ID)	Not possible	Required for most services
Swish (payment app)	Not possible	Everyone uses it

Who Can Get a Personnummer?

You can apply for a personnummer if you:

EU/EEA Citizens

• Plan to stay in Sweden for more than 1 year
• Have a job, are self-employed, are a student, or have sufficient funds
• No visa required

Non-EU Citizens

• Have a valid residence permit for more than 1 year
• Your permit must be approved before applying

Nordic Citizens (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland)

• Can move freely under the Nordic agreement
• Still need to register if staying more than 1 year

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

For EU/EEA citizens, you need:

• Valid passport or national ID card
• Proof of right to reside:
  • Employment contract, or
  • Certificate of studies + proof of funds + health insurance, or
  • Proof of sufficient funds + health insurance

For non-EU citizens, you need:

• Valid passport
• Residence permit card (or decision letter)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled/legalized)

For everyone:

• Completed form SKV 7501 (EU) or SKV 7502 (non-EU)
• Available at Skatteverket's website

Step 2: Book an Appointment

1. Go to Skatteverket's booking system
2. Select "Flytta till Sverige" (Move to Sweden)
3. Choose your nearest Skatteverket office
4. Book the earliest available slot

Pro tip: Offices in smaller cities often have shorter waiting times than Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö.

Step 3: Attend Your Appointment

At your appointment:

• Bring all original documents (no copies)
• Arrive 10 minutes early
• The officer will verify your identity and documents
• You'll sign the application

The appointment usually takes 15-30 minutes.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

After your appointment:

• Skatteverket will process your application
• You may be asked for additional documents via post
• Decision typically takes 2-8 weeks (but can be longer)

Step 5: Receive Your Personnummer

Once approved:

• You'll receive a letter with your personnummer
• You're now registered in the Swedish population register (folkbokföring)
• Time to open a bank account and get BankID!

Current Waiting Times (2026)

Waiting times vary significantly:

City	Appointment Wait	Processing Time
Stockholm	2-4 weeks	4-8 weeks
Gothenburg	1-3 weeks	3-6 weeks
Malmö	1-2 weeks	3-6 weeks
Smaller cities	Days to 1 week	2-4 weeks

Total time: Expect 6-12 weeks from first booking to receiving your personnummer.

What to Do While Waiting

Life doesn't stop while waiting for your personnummer. Here's how to manage:

Banking Without Personnummer

These banks may open accounts without a personnummer:

• Handelsbanken - Most flexible for expats
• SEB - Case by case
• Nordea - Limited accounts

You'll need: passport, proof of address, employment contract. Read our complete guide on Best Banks for Expats in Sweden for detailed comparisons.

Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer)

If you're working but don't qualify for a personnummer, your employer can request a coordination number from Skatteverket. This allows:

• Receiving salary legally
• Paying taxes
• Some banking services

It's not as useful as a personnummer but helps in the interim.

Healthcare

• You can access emergency care without personnummer
• For EU citizens: bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• Consider temporary private health insurance

See our complete Healthcare Guide for Expats for more details.

Mobile Phone

• Buy a prepaid SIM (Comviq, Hallon, Lycamobile)
• Available at Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven, or grocery stores
• No personnummer required

Getting Around

• SL card (Stockholm) - Buy at stations or Pressbyrån
• Västtrafik (Gothenburg) - Use the app
• No personnummer needed for public transport

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying Too Early

You must have proof of long-term stay (job, studies, etc.) before applying. Don't apply before you have documentation.

2. Wrong Forms

• EU/EEA citizens: Form SKV 7501
• Non-EU citizens: Form SKV 7502
• Filling the wrong form delays everything.

3. Copies Instead of Originals

Skatteverket requires original documents. Copies are not accepted.

4. Missing Marriage Certificate

If you're married and your spouse is part of your right to stay, bring an apostilled marriage certificate translated to Swedish or English.

5. Not Booking Ahead

Appointments book up fast in big cities. Book as soon as you know your move date.

Special Situations

Students

• Must prove enrollment at a Swedish university
• Show proof of funds (approximately 10,314 SEK/month for 2026)
• Comprehensive health insurance required

Self-Employed

• Register your company with Bolagsverket first
• Show proof of business activity
• Financial documentation required

Family Reunification

• The family member in Sweden must be registered first
• Bring relationship documentation (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
• Proof of accommodation

Returning Swedes

• If you have an old personnummer, it reactivates
• Process is simpler - just notify Skatteverket of your return

After You Get Your Personnummer

Congratulations! Now do these things immediately:

Week 1

1. Open a bank account - Handelsbanken, SEB, Swedbank, or Nordea
2. Get BankID - Through your bank, required for almost everything
3. Download Swish - Sweden's universal payment app

Week 2

4. Register at Försäkringskassan - Social insurance agency
5. Get a mobile contract - Much better deals than prepaid
6. Register at healthcare center - Choose your vårdcentral via 1177.se

First Month

7. Join apartment queues - Bostadsförmedlingen (Stockholm), Boplats (Gothenburg)
8. Get your tax card - A-skatt for employees via Skatteverket
9. Register for Mina Sidor - Digital access to government services

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work before getting a personnummer?

Yes, with a coordination number. Your employer can request one from Skatteverket.

How long is my personnummer valid?

Forever. It never expires and stays with you for life, even if you leave Sweden.

What if my application is rejected?

You'll receive a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient documentation or not meeting the 1-year stay requirement. You can appeal or reapply with correct documents.

Can I speed up the process?

Not really. However, choosing a smaller Skatteverket office can help with appointment availability.

Do children get their own personnummer?

Yes, every person including children gets their own unique personnummer.

What happens if I lose my personnummer?

You can't lose it - it's just a number. If you forget it, Skatteverket can provide it again with ID verification.

Summary

Getting your personnummer is a bureaucratic process, but it's straightforward if you're prepared:

1. Gather all required documents (originals only)
2. Book a Skatteverket appointment early
3. Attend with all documentation
4. Wait 2-8 weeks for processing
5. Start your Swedish life properly once approved

The personnummer is your key to Swedish society. Once you have it, everything becomes easier - from banking to healthcare to finding an apartment. Be patient, be prepared, and you'll be settled in no time.

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Need help calculating your Swedish salary? Try our Salary After Tax Calculator to see your take-home pay.

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Related guides:

• Healthcare in Sweden for Expats - Understanding the Swedish healthcare system
• Renting an Apartment in Sweden - Finding housing after you arrive
• Best Banks for Expats in Sweden - Opening your first Swedish bank account
• Cost of Living in Sweden 2026 - Budget planning for your move