The personnummer, and why you need one
The personnummer is the personal identity number Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) gives you when you are registered as living in Sweden, which generally applies if you plan to stay for at least a year. Banks, healthcare, employers and most apps ask for it, and you keep the same number for life.
What it looks like
Ten digits: your date of birth as YYMMDD, then four more, for example 950514-1234. The last digit is a check digit. You will type it, or say it out loud, more times than your name.
How to get one
- Plan to stay at least a year: you generally have to be registered in the population register (folkbokföring), and that gives you a personnummer.
- Apply to Skatteverket after you arrive, and visit a service office in person for an identity check. Book the appointment in advance.
- Skatteverket decides from your situation, so if you are unsure, ask them rather than guess.
Staying less than a year: the samordningsnummer
If you stay less than a year you should not be registered, but you may get a coordination number (samordningsnummer). It looks like a personnummer with 60 added to the day of birth. It does not give the same benefits, and it is replaced by a personnummer if you are registered later.
What it unlocks
- A Swedish bank account and BankID, the e-ID used to log in to almost everything.
- Healthcare on the same terms as everyone registered in your region.
- Phone contracts, a library card, the gym and most things with a sign-up form.
Questions and answers
What is a personnummer?
A personnummer is Sweden's ten-digit personal identity number: your date of birth plus four digits. Skatteverket gives it to everyone registered as living in Sweden.
How long do you need to stay in Sweden to get a personnummer?
Generally at least one year. If you plan to stay that long you should usually be registered in the population register, which gives you a personnummer. Shorter stays may get a samordningsnummer instead.
Can I get BankID without a personnummer?
In practice BankID is tied to a Swedish personnummer, so most newcomers get it after they are registered and have opened a bank account.
More about life in Sweden
Sources
- Skatteverket: moving to Sweden, population registration
- Skatteverket: personal identity numbers
- Skatteverket: coordination numbers
Facts checked October 2026. Rules and numbers change, so check the official pages before you decide anything.