Banking & BankID

Opening a Swedish bank account

You have a legal right to a basic payment account, even without a personnummer — but each bank decides its own ID checks, and BankID needs a personnummer. Here is how to get an account opened.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Official sources

At a glance

Your right: A basic payment account if you live legally in the EEA
Bank must decide within: 10 bank days of a complete application
Easiest with: Personnummer + Skatteverket ID card
Cost: Varies by bank; fees must be reasonable

Overview

A Swedish account is where your salary, student payments or Försäkringskassan payments go, and you need one for BankID and Swish. The smoothest order is: personnummer → Skatteverket ID card → bank account → BankID. You can start earlier, but expect more questions.

Your right to an account — and its limits

	What applies
Basic payment account	A legal right for consumers resident in the EEA. Lacking a personnummer is not, in itself, a reason to refuse.
What “basic” includes	Deposits, cash withdrawals, a debit card for shops and online, autogiro and payments, including through the bank’s online services.
When a bank can refuse	If opening the account would break the anti–money laundering law, or for other special reasons (for example fraud using an account).
Decision time	Within 10 bank days of a complete application; a refusal must be in writing, free of charge.
BankID	Not a legal right. Each bank decides, and BankID currently requires a Swedish personnummer.

Source: Konsumenternas Bank- och finansbyrå. Each bank still sets its own identification and “know your customer” checks.

Step by step

Choose a bank
Compare a few — see Swedish banks explained. Ask friends which branch near you is used to newcomers.
Book an appointment
Most banks want you to book a meeting to open an account in person. Book on the bank’s website or by phone and say you are new in Sweden.
Prepare your documents
See documents banks ask for.
Answer the bank’s questions
Banks must ask why you want the account, where your money comes from and how you will use it. This is required by law — answer honestly and bring proof.
Ask for a “betalkonto med grundläggande funktioner” if refused
If they say no, ask for the reason in writing and explicitly ask for a basic payment account.
Then get BankID and Swish
Once the account is open and you have a personnummer, ask for Mobile BankID.

Questions to ask at the meeting

0 of 6 done

What does the account and card cost each month or year?
When and how can I get Mobile BankID?
Can I connect Swish to this account?
How long until the debit card arrives, and does it work online and abroad?
What does it cost to send money to Pakistan from this account?
What is my clearing and account number to give my employer?

Your ticks are saved in this browser.

If the bank refuses

Get the refusal in writing
The bank must give it to you, free of charge.
Complain to the bank
Contact the bank’s complaints officer (klagomålsansvarig) — contact details are on the bank’s website.
Ask for free advice
Konsumenternas Bank- och finansbyrå gives free, independent advice.
Take it to ARN
The National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) can try your case. There is no minimum amount for this kind of dispute; it takes about six months.

Official sources

Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.

Banking & BankID

Opening a Swedish bank account

You have a legal right to a basic payment account, even without a personnummer — but each bank decides its own ID checks, and BankID needs a personnummer. Here is how to get an account opened.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Official sources

At a glance

Your right: A basic payment account if you live legally in the EEA
Bank must decide within: 10 bank days of a complete application
Easiest with: Personnummer + Skatteverket ID card
Cost: Varies by bank; fees must be reasonable

Overview

Your right to an account — and its limits

	What applies
Basic payment account	A legal right for consumers resident in the EEA. Lacking a personnummer is not, in itself, a reason to refuse.
What “basic” includes	Deposits, cash withdrawals, a debit card for shops and online, autogiro and payments, including through the bank’s online services.
When a bank can refuse	If opening the account would break the anti–money laundering law, or for other special reasons (for example fraud using an account).
Decision time	Within 10 bank days of a complete application; a refusal must be in writing, free of charge.
BankID	Not a legal right. Each bank decides, and BankID currently requires a Swedish personnummer.

Source: Konsumenternas Bank- och finansbyrå. Each bank still sets its own identification and “know your customer” checks.

Step by step

Choose a bank
Compare a few — see Swedish banks explained. Ask friends which branch near you is used to newcomers.
Book an appointment
Most banks want you to book a meeting to open an account in person. Book on the bank’s website or by phone and say you are new in Sweden.
Prepare your documents
See documents banks ask for.
Answer the bank’s questions
Banks must ask why you want the account, where your money comes from and how you will use it. This is required by law — answer honestly and bring proof.
Ask for a “betalkonto med grundläggande funktioner” if refused
If they say no, ask for the reason in writing and explicitly ask for a basic payment account.
Then get BankID and Swish
Once the account is open and you have a personnummer, ask for Mobile BankID.

Questions to ask at the meeting

0 of 6 done

What does the account and card cost each month or year?
When and how can I get Mobile BankID?
Can I connect Swish to this account?
How long until the debit card arrives, and does it work online and abroad?
What does it cost to send money to Pakistan from this account?
What is my clearing and account number to give my employer?

Your ticks are saved in this browser.

If the bank refuses

Get the refusal in writing
The bank must give it to you, free of charge.
Complain to the bank
Contact the bank’s complaints officer (klagomålsansvarig) — contact details are on the bank’s website.
Ask for free advice
Konsumenternas Bank- och finansbyrå gives free, independent advice.
Take it to ARN
The National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) can try your case. There is no minimum amount for this kind of dispute; it takes about six months.

Official sources

Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.

At a glance

Overview

Your right to an account — and its limits

Step by step

Choose a bank

Book an appointment

Prepare your documents

Answer the bank’s questions

Ask for a “betalkonto med grundläggande funktioner” if refused

Then get BankID and Swish

Questions to ask at the meeting

If the bank refuses

Get the refusal in writing

Complain to the bank

Ask for free advice

Take it to ARN

Official sources

Related guides

At a glance

Overview

Your right to an account — and its limits

Step by step

Choose a bank

Book an appointment

Prepare your documents

Answer the bank’s questions

Ask for a “betalkonto med grundläggande funktioner” if refused

Then get BankID and Swish

Questions to ask at the meeting

If the bank refuses

Get the refusal in writing

Complain to the bank

Ask for free advice

Take it to ARN

Official sources

Related guides