How to get a BankID in Sweden
First you need a personnummer.
In brief
BankID is Sweden's electronic signature on your phone. You use it to log in to government services, your bank, healthcare, and school, and to sign documents. Without it, many everyday tasks in Sweden are very hard to do.
To get a BankID, you need three things:
- a personnummer (BankID isn't issued with a samordningsnummer);
- an account at a Swedish bank that issues BankID;
- to be 18 or have a guardian's consent.
The usual path: personnummer → Skatteverket ID card → bank account → BankID.
Step 1. Get a personnummer
You can't get a BankID without one. For how to get a personnummer, see the article "How to get a personnummer in Sweden".
Step 2. Get a Skatteverket ID card (highly recommended)
Banks verify your identity against a document. With a personnummer, a passport, a Swedish driving licence, a Skatteverket ID card, or a national ID card will do. In practice, requirements vary between banks, and a Swedish ID card makes almost everything easier. So it's best to get one before you go to the bank.
Who can get one: anyone with a personnummer, aged 13 or older. Children under 18 need a guardian's consent.
How to prove your identity:
- a valid passport or ID card from an EU/EEA country;
- or a residence permit card, in which case Skatteverket will check your details with Migrationsverket;
- or an intygsgivare — a person who vouches for your identity (a close relative or, for example, an employer);
- in other cases, Skatteverket assesses your documents as a whole.
How to apply:
- Pay the 400 kronor fee before your visit.
- Book an appointment online at a Skatteverket office (servicekontor) that issues ID cards.
- Show up with proof of payment and your documents. You'll be photographed on site.
- The card will be ready in about 2 weeks. You need to collect it within 2 months of being notified.
Step 3. Open a bank account
Choose a bank that issues BankID. That's almost all of the major Swedish banks. The bank is required to ask:
- why you need the account and how you'll use it;
- where your money comes from and how much you plan to deposit;
- whether you'll make transfers abroad;
- which country you pay taxes in.
This is a routine check — it doesn't mean you're suspected of anything. You may need to show proof of income, such as a statement from your employer or a benefits decision.
If you're not from the EU/EEA, bring your residence permit card.
Step 4. Order BankID
Once your account is open, set up mobile BankID through your bank. This is usually done in the bank's app or at a branch. Then install the BankID app on your phone and set your own code. Never share it with anyone.
No BankID yet: Freja
Freja is another Swedish electronic signature, approved by the government. It's used, for example, to apply online for registration with Skatteverket and for a samordningsnummer. If you don't have a BankID yet, check whether the service you need accepts Freja.
Common mistakes
- Trying to get a BankID with a samordningsnummer. That's not possible — you need a personnummer.
- Showing up at Skatteverket for an ID card without paying the fee in advance.
- Going to the bank without a Swedish ID card. It sometimes works, but often it doesn't.
What's next
With a BankID you can:
- log in to Försäkringskassan and apply for benefits;
- book a doctor's appointment through 1177;
- use Swish (transfers by phone number);
- log in to Skatteverket's and Migrationsverket's "My pages".
Get a step-by-step plan for your situation in the Waypoint app
