How long does it take to get a personnummer in 2026? And what you can do while you wait

In Sweden a lot depends on the personnummer (personal identity number): BankID, ID cards, many e-services and logging in to 1177. So it is often the first thing you want once you have moved here. Here is how long it takes right now, how to make your notification so it does not get stuck, and what you can do while you wait.

Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) decides whether you are registered in the population register (folkbokförd). We checked the details on the pages of Skatteverket and other authorities on 10 October 2026.

About five weeks to a case officer

According to Skatteverket, as of October 2026 it takes about five weeks before a notification of a move to Sweden gets a case officer. It can take longer if Skatteverket needs to look into more or needs more information from you.

When Skatteverket has made its decision, it is sent by letter. You get your personnummer when you are registered for the first time, and you keep it for life.

You should be registered if you plan to live in Sweden for at least a year. If you will stay for a shorter time you should not be registered, but you can get a coordination number.

How to notify a move to Sweden

1. Log in to Skatteverket’s e-service Flytta till Sverige (Moving to Sweden). If you have no e-ID, you can download the Freja app and log in with it.
2. Fill in the notification carefully, with current contact details. You can send it at the earliest 14 days before you move. Each person makes their own notification, children too. If you live in an apartment, fill in the apartment number.
3. Upload your documents, for example your passport and residence permit card. Skatteverket needs every page of the passport that has information on it.
4. Save the receipt that appears on screen, for example as a photo, and book an identity check through the link in the receipt. Book for everyone in the family who is moving.
5. Visit the service centre as soon as possible. Bring all your identity documents in original and your residence permit card. You get the documents back straight after the check.

How to avoid delays

• Make sure your name is where the post is delivered, for example on the mailbox. Skatteverket contacts you by letter, email or phone and needs to be able to reach you.
• If you move before you get a decision, tell Skatteverket your new address.
• Reply quickly if Skatteverket asks for more information.

What you can do while you wait

• Work. If you have the right to work in Sweden, you can start before you get a decision on tax. File a notification of preliminary A-tax, and at the same time book a visit to a service centre to apply for a coordination number. If you live abroad and will stay for a short time, you can pay SINK instead.
• Open a bank account. You have the right to a payment account with basic features, and not having a personnummer is not in itself a reason for the bank to say no. The bank must decide on your application within ten banking days of it being complete.
• Ask your municipality about SFI. The right to SFI (Swedish for immigrants) applies to people who live in Sweden, which usually means being registered. If you have the right to education here under EU free movement rules, you may have the right to SFI before that. The right does not depend on having a personnummer, and the municipality may not require one for you to start.
• Försäkringskassan. You do not need a personnummer to be insured in Sweden with Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency). Without one, you can use your coordination number when you apply.
• Preschool and school. Your children’s right to preschool and school does not depend on whether they have a personnummer or a coordination number.
• Healthcare. If you have a residence permit but are not yet registered, 1177 says you pay the whole cost of care yourself. Once you are registered, you pay the same fees as others who live in Sweden.

Our Personnummer tool goes through all of this step by step.

What has to wait until you have a personnummer

• BankID. BankID requires a Swedish personnummer. Once you have it, see our BankID tool.
• Skatteverket’s ID card. To apply, you must be registered in Sweden and have a Swedish personnummer.
• Logging in to 1177 and most e-services, which need a Swedish personnummer and a Swedish e-ID.

Summary

• It takes about five weeks before a move to Sweden gets a case officer (October 2026). The decision comes by letter.
• Make a complete notification, book the identity check straight away and visit the service centre as soon as possible.
• Have your name on the mailbox and tell Skatteverket if you move.
• Meanwhile you can work, open a payment account and have your children in preschool and school. Ask your municipality about SFI.
• BankID and the ID card have to wait until you have a personnummer.

Sources

• Skatteverket: Flytta till Sverige (in Swedish)
• Skatteverket: Handläggningstid, hur lång tid tar det? (in Swedish)
• Skatteverket: Ny i Sverige och ska arbeta (in Swedish)
• Skatteverket: Så här ansöker du om och förnyar id-kort (in Swedish)
• Konsumenternas Bank- och finansbyrå: Rätt till betalkonto med grundläggande funktioner (in Swedish)
• Skolverket: Rätt till sfi (in Swedish)
• Skolverket: Nyanlända elevers utbildning (in Swedish)
• Försäkringskassan: Försäkrad i Sverige (in Swedish)
• 1177: Vård i Sverige om du kommer från ett annat land (in Swedish)