NEW IN SWEDEN

If you are new in Sweden then the first thing you must to do is to register yourself with swedish tax authority ‘Skatteverket’ to get your social security number also called as personal identity number or personnummer. As an EU/EEA-citizen you are entitled to live, work and study in Sweden with or without a personnummer.

It is a 12-digit number issued by Skatteverket to the persons registered in Sweden when they are convinced that you can support yourself and your family during

Relocating to Sweden for work, studies, family, or long-term settlement is a major step. While Sweden offers a high quality of life, the first weeks after arrival are critical. This guide explains what to do after arriving in Sweden, in the correct order, with updated information for 2026.

It covers registration, identity numbers, banking, healthcare, housing, education, transport, and everyday essentials written for newcomers who want clarity without legal confusion.

Skatteverket: For Personal Identity Number, ID card, and Tax Registration
Migrationsverket: For Residence permits and Immigration matters
Försäkringskassan: For Social Insurance and Family Benefits
1177: For Healthcare Guidance and Clinic Registration
Polisen: For Residence Cards and Emergency matters

The Personnummer is the foundation of life in Sweden. It is required for:

Banking and salary payments
Healthcare access
School and childcare registration
Digital services and contracts

Who Can Apply

Nordic citizens: Automatic right of residence
EU/EEA citizens: Must demonstrate Right of Residence
Non-EU citizens: Valid Residence permit and intended stay of at least 12 months

How the Process Works

Applications are handled through Skatteverket, often via an identity verification appointment booked through a service centre.
Typical processing time after a completed appointment is approximately 4 weeks, provided documentation is complete.

Practical tips

Book appointments in advance
Bring original documents and copies
Apply immediately after arrival to avoid delays in banking and healthcare
Swedish ID Card, Bank Account & Bank-ID

Swedish ID
Once registered, you can apply for a Swedish ID card, which is required by banks and digital services.

With a Personnummer and ID card, you can open a Swedish bank account. This is necessary for:

Residents register with a local Vårdcentral (primary healthcare clinic). This allows:

Routine doctor visits
Referrals to specialists
Digital healthcare access
Registration is typically completed online once Bank-ID is active.

Registration with Försäkringskassan is required to access:

New arrivals typically start with temporary stays before securing long-term housing. Understanding the local market is key to finding the right home.

Primary Housing Options:

• Rental Apartments (Hyresrätt): Managed by housing companies or private landlords via queue systems.

• Tenant-Owned Apartments (Bostadsrätt): Buying the right to live in a co-operative housing association.

• Houses (Villa): Independent properties usually located in suburban or rural areas.

• Short-term Housing: Serviced apartments or sublets (andrahand) for initial transitions.

Important: Always verify rental contracts and clarify notice periods to protect your rights before signing.

Relocating your assets requires adherence to Swedish customs and safety regulations. These steps are essential for permanent residents:

• Household Goods: Generally unrestricted for movement within the EU; check customs for non-EU imports.

• Pets: Must be microchipped and vaccinated. Registration with Jordbruksverket and pet insurance are highly recommended.

• Vehicles: Long-term residents must register imported vehicles with Transportstyrelsen and pass a Swedish safety inspection.

Driving in Sweden requires a valid permit that meets Swedish and EU standards. Depending on your origin, you may need to exchange your license or retake the tests.

• Nordic and EU/EEA Licences: These remain fully valid in Sweden for as long as they are valid in the issuing country. You are not required to exchange them.

• Non-EU/EEA Licences: Generally valid for up to one year after you are registered in the Swedish population register (Folkbokförd). After this period, you must obtain a Swedish license.

• Exchange Rules: Only licenses from certain countries (e.g., UK, Switzerland, Japan, and Faroe Islands) can be directly exchanged. Most other non-EU residents must complete the Swedish Risk Course (Riskettan & Risktvåan) and pass both theory and practical exams.

Note: From May 2026, new regulations restrict “driving license tourism,” making it harder to exchange non-EEA licenses that were previously swapped in another EU state.

Sweden offers a highly subsidized and structured system for education and language integration. Early coordination with your local municipality is key to a smooth transition.

• Municipal Registration: Children must be registered through the local municipality to access the schooling system.

• Childcare and Schooling: Both preschools and primary schools operate under municipal systems, with placements often based on proximity to your home.

• Swedish for Immigrants: Free, state-funded Swedish language courses are available for adults to facilitate social and professional integration.

• Early Enrollment: It is highly recommended to register early, as waiting lists for popular childcare centers and schools can be long.

Residency and employment rights in Sweden are determined by your citizenship. Please note the following key regulations as of June 2026:

• Nordic Citizens: Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Iceland can live and work in Sweden without a permit or visa.

• EU/EEA Citizens: These citizens enjoy “Right of Residence” and can work freely, provided they meet specific self-sufficiency conditions for long-term stays.

• Non-EU Citizens: Individuals from outside the EU/EEA must secure a Residence Permit before arriving in Sweden.

• Salary Threshold (June 2026): For work permit applications submitted from June 1, 2026, the minimum monthly salary requirement is SEK 33,390 (representing 90% of the Swedish median wage).

Important: Always retain physical or digital copies of all your applications and official decisions for future renewals or permanent residency (PR).

Contacting these authorities during your first 30 days is critical for a smooth settlement process in Sweden:

• Skatteverket (Tax Agency): Your first priority! Register your address and apply for your Personnummer (Personal Identity Number) here.

• The Bank: Once you receive your Personnummer, open a bank account and obtain BankID—the essential digital ID for almost all services in Sweden.

• Vårdcentral (Healthcare Clinic): Register at your local clinic to ensure you can access medical care when needed.

• Kommun (Municipality): Contact your local municipality for school and childcare enrollment, as well as SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) courses.

• Försäkringskassan (Social Insurance Agency): Register here to become eligible for social benefits, parental leave, and healthcare coverage within the Swedish system.

• Migrationsverket (Migration Agency): Visit here if you are a non-EU citizen to provide biometrics for your Residence Permit card (UT-card).

• Polisen (Police): Primarily used for applying for a Swedish ID card (for citizens) or reporting specific official incidents.

Once your initial registration is underway, setting up these daily services will help you integrate quickly into Swedish society.

• Banking: Major retail banks (e.g., SEB, Swedbank, Nordea, and Handelsbanken) provide essential services. You will need a Personnummer to access full features.

• Mobile & Internet: National providers like Telia, Tele2, Telenor, and Tre offer both “Kontantkort” (prepaid) and monthly contracts.

• Utilities: Electricity and energy providers vary by region. You usually need two contracts: one for the grid (nät) and one for the actual energy (el).

• Public Transport: Regional authorities (e.g., SL in Stockholm, Västtrafik in Gothenburg) manage all local travel via apps and contactless cards.

• Groceries: Major nationwide chains like ICA, Coop, Willys, and Lidl are available in almost every city and neighborhood.

Follow this timeline to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines during your first seven days in Sweden.

Days 1–2: Immediate Setup

• Temporary Housing: Confirm your address; you will need this for all official registrations.

• Mobile SIM: Purchase a prepaid (Kontantkort) SIM card immediately to stay connected.

• Identity Appointment: Book your appointment with Skatteverket online as soon as possible, as slots fill up fast.

Days 3–4: Official Applications

• ID Card Application: Visit the Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to register for your Personnummer and apply for a Swedish ID card.

• Bank Account Inquiry: Visit a local bank branch to understand their specific requirements for newcomers.

• BankID Preparation: Ensure your phone is compatible and your ID documents are ready for when your Personnummer arrives.

Days 5–7: Integration & Services

• Healthcare Registration: Locate and register with your local Vårdcentral (Health Center) via the 1177.se portal.

• Social Insurance: Start your application for Försäkringskassan to ensure you are covered for social benefits.

• Daily Services: Set up your monthly transport pass and locate your nearest grocery stores and pharmacy (Apotek).

Learn Swedish in Sweden

Depending on the location of your stay, there are different options for learning Swedish while in the country. More information at: www.sweden.se.

Folkuniversitetet offers Swedish courses at different levels.

Study associations also offer language courses and a wide range of other courses. See a list of study associations.

SFI-courses (Swedish for immigrants). Once you have become a resident in Sweden and have been issued a personal identity number (personnummer) you can contact your local municipality for information about Swedish lessons for immigrants (SFI). SFI is basic training in the Swedish language for adults who do not have Swedish as their first language. You can study SFI full-time or part-time. The training is free of charge.

In Sweden, two main authorities manage everything related to driving licenses, traffic rules, and road safety:

• Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency): This agency is responsible for the “legal” side of driving. You contact them to apply for a Learner’s Permit (körkortstillstånd), exchange a foreign driving license, or handle matters related to vehicle registration and medical requirements.

• Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration): This agency manages the “practical” side. You visit their website to book and pay for your Theory Test (kunskapsprov) and Driving Test (körprov).

Key Rules for Newcomers (2026)

• Non-EU Licenses: If you have a driving license from a country outside the EU/EEA, it is generally valid for one year after you are registered in the Swedish Population Register (Folkbokförd). After one year, you must obtain a Swedish license.

• UK & Swiss Licenses: Special rules allow for the exchange of these licenses into Swedish ones without a practical test, provided certain conditions are met