Personnummer:

At this point you have now received the residence/ visa card from Migrationsverket – now that you are officially registered within the country of Sweden you can attain a person number (personnummer). A person number essentially functions the same way as a social security number in the USA. To receive a person number, you must go to your nearest Skatteverket (literally “tax office), that specifically handles person numbers. Because Skatteverket has many different branches and areas of operation, I would recommend calling Skatteverket first to ensure you go to the correct person number office nearest you.

After locating the nearest Skatteverket person number office, you must collect all documents, paperwork, passport, residence card, etc. you have received up to this point, and bring them with you. Once you arrive at the Skatteverket office you will be greeted by someone inquiring specifically as to the nature of your visit, simply inform you need to apply for a person number. A one page application must be completed and then you will be entered into the cue, and wait to speak with a Skatteverket representative. The application is very straightforward, asking questions like birthday, arrival in Sweden, current address, etc. When you get called to meet with a representative they will go through the application, confirming everything listed with the documents you have provided. They will then photo copy your passport and residence card, and ask for a signature. After completion, you should receive a letter in the mail from Skatteverket containing your Swedish personnummer. This typically takes 2-4 weeks to receive.

It is worth noting a Swedish personnummer is simply your birthday followed by 4 digits so it reads something like YY-MM-DD-XXXX (year, month, day, 4 extra digits). If you are male, the second to last digit of the personnummer will always be an odd number, if you are a female, the second to last digit of the personnummer will always be an even number.

ID Kort

Attaining a personnummer is the first major step after receiving a residence card and settling in Sweden. The second major, and absolute essential step is getting your national Skatteverket identification card. Without this card you cannot open a bank account, establish a phone plan, etc. I want to immediately alleviate any concerns or reservations about getting the ID card – the process was extremely simple, and takes next to no time at all.

The process to receive an ID card starts online – you must first go to the Skatteverket website and find the wire transfer information, to wire 400 SEK directly to Skatteverket, which covers the cost of the ID card. After wiring the funds, you should receive a receipt from Skatteverket and some kind of notification from your bank. This verification of payment must be printed and brought with you to your nearest Skatteverket office that handles ID cards, view the full list of offices here. In addition to payment verification you must bring your passport, residence card, personnummer verification, and any additional supporting documentation.

When you arrive at your nearest Skatteverket that handles ID cards (if you are in Stockholm), you will be asked what you need to take care of, they will verify you have completed the payment properly, and then you are placed in a cue. At the first station you will meet with someone typing in your details and once again verifying payment in the computer. You are then measured, and entered into a second cue. When it is your turn in the second cue, you will sit down with a Skatteverket representative who will ask you to verify your details, photo copy your passport, take your photo, and ask for a signature. When this has been completed, you receive a paper printout containing the details of the ID card.

Within 2-3 weeks you will receive notice in the mail your ID card is ready to pick up from the same Skatteverket where you applied. To pickup the ID card, you need your passport or another form of identification, to be safe, I also brought all of my previous documentation and residence card as well. When you arrive at Skatteverket they will ask why you are there, you will be very clear saying you only need to pick up the ID card. You will be placed in a cue, they will verify your identity, you will then sign the actual card, as well as one more digital signature confirming the card has been received. When the confirmation has been signed, you are done, and have the official Swedish ID Kort.

Based on my experience, you can most definitely survive without receiving the ID card immediately, however, in terms of working you can do almost nothing without a person number. It is my strong recommendation to take care of the person number and ID card, as soon as you can. While there is very little information on the Skatteverket website, the entire process of applying for a person number and ID card is very simple, and streamlined.

In the next posts I will be discussing SFI, working, and an ongoing commentary on life in Sweden. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to comment or send an email at movingtostockholm@gmail.com.

Cheers,

//Karl