- A personnummer is your unique Swedish identity number and one of the keys to everyday life
- You normally get one when Skatteverket registers you in the Swedish Population Register as living in Sweden for at least 1 year
- Having one makes things like opening a bank account, getting BankID, using digital services and dealing with public authorities much easier
- If you're staying in Sweden < 1 year, you may instead get a samordningsnummer, but it doesn't give you the same access to services
- You can live in Sweden without a personnummer, but having one makes the practical side of Swedish life considerably easier
Your personnummer is one of the most useful pieces of your Swedish identity. Without it, life still works — just with more paperwork, more friction and the occasional feeling that you've somehow become invisible to the system.
Think of it as your access key to Sweden.
You try to:
- open a phone contract
- rent long-term
- sign anything
Without personnummer: “Sorry, we need your eID.”
step 1
☐ Have a residence basis (work, study, family, etc.)
step 2
☐ Show you’ll stay 12+ months
step 3
☐ Register with Skatteverket (the Tax Agency)
step 4
Submit:
- ☐ passport
- ☐ residence permit
- ☐ supporting documents (job, studies, etc.)
step 5
☐ Wait for registration
A coordination number (samordningsnummer) is a temporary identity number for newcomers who do not qualify for a full personnummer.
It is usually given to people who:
- will stay in Sweden for less than 12 months
- work temporarily in Sweden
- study short term
- need to pay tax or access certain public services
- have contact with authorities before being fully registered as residents
A coordination number allows some basic administration, such as:
- paying taxes
- interacting with certain authorities
- limited healthcare access in some situations
- some employment arrangements
However, it has important limitations, such as:
- opening bank accounts
- getting BankID
- using Swish
- signing digital contracts
- accessing some healthcare portals
- subscriptions, credit checks and app verification systems
If this is you, expect a “waiting period” before everyday life becomes easier administratively.
- The 12-month rule is strict: shorter stays usually mean no personnummer
- A coordination number (samordningsnummer, for stays < 12 months) is not the same as a personnummer
- Many banks, apps and services still reject coordination numbers
- No personnummer often means delays accessing eID, Swish and some healthcare services
- Processing times can vary significantly depending on your situation and documentation
- Registering your address correctly matters more than many newcomers realise
When you are registered with a personnummer, you can:
- apply for a Swedish ID card (physical card)
- open bank account
- get eID (BankID / Freja eID)
↗︎ Register with Skatteveket
↗︎ Get BankID
↗︎ Get Freja eID
can I live in sweden without a personnummer?
Yes. You can live and work in Sweden without a personnummer in some circumstances, but everyday administration can be more difficult. Some banks, digital services and other organisations may require a personnummer or eID, while others have alternative processes.
how do I get a personnummer?
You don't apply for a personnummer separately. If you're moving to Sweden and expect to live here for at least one year, you normally register with Skatteverket. If Skatteverket decides that you should be registered in the Swedish Population Register, you are assigned a personnummer.
what is a samordningsnummer?
A samordningsnummer is an identity number for someone who is not registered in the Swedish Population Register. It can be issued to people who need to interact with Swedish authorities but aren't eligible for a personnummer.
A samordningsnummer isn't the same as a personnummer, and some services that accept a personnummer may not accept a samordningsnummer.
does having a personnummer make me a swedish citizen?
No. A personnummer is an identity number used for administrative purposes. It has nothing to do with Swedish citizenship. You can have a personnummer without being a Swedish citizen.
can I get bank.i.d. without a personnummer?
Usually, getting a Swedish BankID requires you to have a Swedish personal identity number and be a customer of a bank that issues BankID. Some alternative e-identification options may be available if you don't have a personnummer.
how long does it take to get a personnummer?
There isn't one fixed processing time. It depends on your circumstances and whether Skatteverket has all the information and documents it needs to make a decision.
I'd also consider adding "Does a personnummer expire?" because newcomers often wonder about this:
does a personnummer expire?
No. Your personnummer normally stays the same throughout your life. It isn't changed just because you move, change jobs or leave Sweden for a period of time.