FAQ
General information only — not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant Swedish authority.
What is a personnummer?
A personnummer is Sweden's personal identity number, issued by Skatteverket once you're civilly registered (folkbokförd). Most everyday services — banking, healthcare, phone contracts — expect you to have one.
I'm only staying under a year — do I still need a personnummer?
Not necessarily. If you're staying less than a year, you may instead be issued a coordination number (samordningsnummer), which covers many of the same purposes without full civil registration.
How long does a work permit take to process?
Processing times vary by case load and how complete the application is. Migrationsverket publishes current estimated times on their website — check there for the most up-to-date figure rather than relying on a fixed number.
Do I need a personnummer to open a Swedish bank account?
Most banks require a personnummer and valid photo ID to open a standard account. Some banks offer limited accounts to those with only a coordination number — availability varies by bank.
What's the difference between Migrationsverket, Skatteverket, and Försäkringskassan?
Migrationsverket handles residence/work permits and immigration status. Skatteverket handles civil registration, personnummer, and taxes. Försäkringskassan handles social insurance — things like parental leave, sick pay, and related benefits.
Can I start the process before I arrive in Sweden?
Yes — permit applications, and in some cases tuition/CSN arrangements for students, typically start before arrival. Steps that require being physically in Sweden (like civil registration) come after you land.
Is this checklist official or legally binding?
No. Flytta Sweden is an independent planning tool, not affiliated with the Swedish government. Always confirm current requirements directly with Migrationsverket, Skatteverket, or Försäkringskassan — see the Resources page for direct links.