Getting started
How Swedish identification works
Personnummer, ID card, BankID: three different things that work together. Here is what each one is for.
Three different things
| What it is | Used for | Get it from | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnummer | Your identity number | Every register and contract | Skatteverket, when you are registered |
| ID card | A physical photo ID | Proving who you are in person: bank, pharmacy, post, tests | Skatteverket (or Swedish passport/driving licence) |
| BankID | A digital ID in your phone | Logging in and signing online | Your bank |
Your residence permit card proves your right to live here, and Skatteverket accepts it as ID for the ID card application. But many places — Trafikverket’s driving tests, for example — only accept Swedish or EU ID documents, so getting the Skatteverket ID card early makes life easier.
Official sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.