Step 4: Register with the Swedish Tax Agency
Get your life in Sweden started. Being officially registered is one of the first things to take care of.
Being registered means that you are registered as living in Sweden, ensuring that public authorities, healthcare providers and employers have the information they need.
Who you will be in contact with
- The Swedish Tax Agency is responsible for your registration, including the issuing of personal identity numbers and coordination numbers.
- You start the registration online and complete it at a state service centre.
Who needs to register – and for what?
If you move to Sweden for work, you need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This also applies to any accompanying family members, including children, who move to Sweden with you.
There are two types of registration, depending on how long you will stay:
When you are entered into the population register you are issued a personal identity number. This number is used whenever you need to identify yourself in Sweden and gives access to many everyday services.
For shorter stays, a coordination number is issued. With a coordination number, you can interact with employers and public authorities while you are in Sweden, but access to services is more limited than with a personal identity number.
Examples of documents to prepare
- Passport or national ID
- Residence permit, if you are a non-EU/EEA citizen
- Proof of your address in Sweden
- Documents for family members, if applicable
How and where to register
You can start preparing your registration online before arrival. If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can complete your registration after you have arrived in Sweden. If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, however, your work permit must be approved before the registration can be finalised.
Read more about the registration process on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website. Below is an overview of how the registration process works.
- Start by registering your move to Sweden using the agency’s online service. To do this, you need Freja eID, a form of digital identification, that allows you to begin the process even before you arrive. Preparing your case online will make the rest of the process easier. If you are not able to use the online service, you can instead start in next step below, by visiting a service centre.
- Book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre close to you, or visit during drop-in hours. Check in advance that the office provides identity checks. During your visit, service staff will check your identity and go through your documents. You will be asked about your move to Sweden, your address and your employment. Everyone who is being registered must attend in person so that identity and documents can be checked on site. Families can book appointments together.
- The Swedish Tax Agency will process your case once your visit is completed. When your registration is approved, you receive a letter at your registered address with your personal identity number or coordination number.
Processing time
Check the Swedish Tax Agency’s website for current waiting times. Bringing all required documents to your appointment helps your case move forward without delay.
Next step
With your registration in place, the next step is to understand how tax works when you start working in Sweden. You can also apply for a Swedish ID card once you have your personal identity number.
Go to Step 5: Tax registration
