Knowledge Base

How to get a personnummer in Sweden

Verified: October 20, 2026 · sources at the end of the article

In brief

A personnummer is a Swedish personal identity number. It's issued by the Swedish Tax Agency, Skatteverket, when you're entered into the population register (folkbokföring). This usually requires two things: the right to live in Sweden, and plans to stay here for at least a year.

You apply online, then you need to visit a Skatteverket office in person once. If you're staying in Sweden for less than a year, you'll need a different number instead, a samordningsnummer.

Personnummer or samordningsnummer?

Which number you get depends on how long you will stay in Sweden.

	Personnummer	Samordningsnummer
Who gets it	People registered as living in Sweden	People who are not registered as living in Sweden
Length of stay	1 year or more	Less than 1 year
How long it lasts	For life	5 years, then it can be renewed
Format	Date of birth + 4 digits	Date of birth with 60 added to the day + 4 digits
Skatteverket ID card	Yes	No
BankID	Yes, through your bank	No (some other eIDs, such as Freja+, may be possible)

If you are later registered in the population register, your new personnummer replaces your samordningsnummer.

Why you need it

With a personnummer you can:

study Swedish in free SFI courses;
receive benefits and payments through the social insurance system;
pay less for healthcare;
open a bank account;
get BankID, the electronic signature used almost everywhere in Sweden.

Choose your situation

A. You've received a residence permit for a year or longer (for example, a positive asylum decision, work, or family reunification)

Apply as soon as possible. The steps are described below.

B. You're from Ukraine and have temporary protection

You can get a personnummer if all three conditions are met:

you have a valid temporary protection permit;
you received it at least a year ago;
you're likely to stay in Sweden for at least 18 months from the date the permit was issued.

⚠️ Apply within 4 weeks of meeting these conditions.

⚠️ If you received your first permit on September 5, 2026 or later, you usually won't be able to register: temporary protection in the EU ends on March 4, 2028. In that case, you can apply for a samordningsnummer instead (option D).

C. You're seeking asylum and waiting for a decision

While you're waiting for a decision, you won't be issued a personnummer. Your ID document is the card from Migrationsverket. Old LMA cards are being replaced with new applicant cards (ansökningskort), which was supposed to happen by October 1, 2026. After a positive decision, move on to option A.

D. You'll stay in Sweden for less than a year

You need a samordningsnummer. It's valid for 5 years and can be renewed. You apply through Skatteverket's online service or using form SKV 7540. You'll also need to appear in person to verify your identity. Processing takes about 10 weeks.

E. You're a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland

You don't need a residence permit, but you must show that you have the right of residence (uppehållsrätt) in Sweden and plan to stay at least a year. Usually that means one of:

an employment contract or certificate of employment for work in Sweden;
proof of studies at a Swedish school or university;
proof that you run your own business in Sweden;
proof that you have enough money to support yourself.

If you're still looking for work, you usually can't register yet: EU citizens may stay six months to look for a job, but Skatteverket can't assume you'll stay a full year. Register once you have a job offer.

F. You're a Swedish citizen moving back to Sweden

Notify Skatteverket that you're moving back for at least a year and visit a service centre. Bring documents for any changes while you lived abroad, such as a foreign marriage certificate or your children's birth certificates.

Step by step (for options A, B, E and F)

Prepare your digital access. Skatteverket recommends that Ukrainians with temporary protection first get a Freja eID. You'll need a smartphone and an email address for this.
Gather your documents: your passport (all pages); your residence permit or temporary protection card; the Migrationsverket decision (Ukrainians should include the current decision as well as any previous decisions and old cards, if you have them); marriage and children's birth certificates, if they apply to you. You can photograph or scan the documents and upload them. EU/EEA citizens: bring proof of your right of residence instead of a residence permit. Swedish citizens: your Swedish passport.
Fill out the online application "Flytta till Sverige" ("Moving to Sweden") on the Skatteverket website. The service is available in Swedish, English, Arabic, and Ukrainian.
Book an appointment at a Skatteverket office (servicekontor) for an identity check. Bring the originals of all your documents.
Wait for the decision. A case officer will usually start working on your application after about 4 weeks. Once everything is approved, you'll receive a letter with your personnummer.

What's next

With a personnummer you can:

get a Swedish ID card from Skatteverket;
open a bank account;
get BankID;
register for SFI;
contact Försäkringskassan about benefits.

How to get a Skatteverket ID card

The ID card is usually your next step: most banks ask for it before they open an account or issue BankID.

Check that you qualify: you need a personnummer and must be at least 13. A samordningsnummer is not enough.
Pay the SEK 400 fee in advance to bankgiro 389-0100. Write your personnummer in the message or OCR field, without a hyphen: YYYYMMDDNNNN. You cannot pay at the office.
Book an appointment at a Skatteverket service centre that issues ID cards. Bring your passport or another approved ID and the payment receipt or bank statement.
The card is usually ready in about two weeks. Collect it in person within two months.

The ID card is valid only in Sweden. Keep your passport for travel abroad.

Common mistakes

Applying for a personnummer with a permit for less than a year. In that case you need a samordningsnummer instead.
Showing up at the office without original documents.
Missing the 4-week deadline (for Ukrainians with temporary protection).
Trying to register as an EU citizen while still looking for work. Wait until you have a job offer or contract.
Coming to the office to pay for the ID card. The SEK 400 fee must be paid in advance by bank transfer.
Forgetting to report a new address. Once you're registered, you must tell Skatteverket every time you move within Sweden.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a personnummer?

Usually one to two months after your visit to Skatteverket, sometimes longer. Missing documents are the most common cause of delay, so bring the originals of everything that applies to you.

Can I apply for a personnummer before I move to Sweden?

No. You must already live in Sweden and visit a Skatteverket service centre in person.

Does it cost anything?

No, registration is free. Only the Skatteverket ID card costs SEK 400.

I'm staying for nine months. Can I get a personnummer?

Normally not, because you need to plan to stay at least one year. Apply for a samordningsnummer instead.

I'm an EU citizen looking for work. Can I register?

Usually not while you're still looking. Once you have a job offer or contract, you can show your right of residence and register.

I have a samordningsnummer. Can I get BankID?

No, BankID requires a personnummer. With a confirmed samordningsnummer you may be able to get another e-ID, such as Freja+.

What happens to my samordningsnummer when I get a personnummer?

Your new personnummer replaces it. Use the personnummer from then on.

What if I move abroad again?

If you plan to leave Sweden for a year or more, tell Skatteverket. Your personnummer stays the same if you come back later.

Need help?

Skatteverket offices (servicekontor) offer in-person advice.

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Sources

Waypoint

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