Personal number & ID
What is a personnummer?
The Swedish personal identity number is the key to almost everything in Sweden — bank, BankID, healthcare, housing and salary. You get one when Skatteverket registers you as living in Sweden.
At a glance
- Who issues it
- Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency)
- Who gets one
- People registered as living in Sweden (usually staying 1 year or more)
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- About 5 weeks before an administrator takes your case
What it is
A personnummer (personal identity number) is the 10-digit number Sweden uses to identify everyone registered in the Swedish Population Register (folkbokföringen). It is written as your date of birth followed by four digits, for example YYMMDD-XXXX. The last digit is a check digit.
You do not apply for the number itself. You notify Skatteverket that you have moved to Sweden. If Skatteverket decides that you should be registered, you are given a personnummer the first time you are listed in the register.
Why it matters
Most everyday systems in Sweden are built around the personnummer. With it you can usually:
- get a Skatteverket ID card, which banks accept as Swedish ID
- open a bank account more easily and get BankID and Swish
- be listed with a vårdcentral (health centre) and log in to 1177
- join housing queues, sign phone and electricity contracts, and get paid through payroll
Without one you can still live in Sweden, but many things take longer and need more paperwork.
Where to go from here
Check that you qualify
Notify your move and book the identity check
Follow the step-by-step registration guide.
Wait for the decision
Then get your ID card
Once you have the number, apply for the Skatteverket ID card.
Frequently asked questions
Is a personnummer the same as a residence permit?
No. Migrationsverket decides your right to live in Sweden (the residence permit). Skatteverket decides whether you are registered as living here and gives you the personnummer. You usually need the permit first.
Does my personnummer change if my permit ends?
No. The number stays yours for life. Your registration can change, for example if you move abroad, but the number itself is not reissued.
My student friend got a number quickly and I did not. Why?
Each case is assessed on its own documents. Missing documents, a short permit or an address problem can slow a case down. Skatteverket publishes current processing times.
Official sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.