Getting started in Sweden
Population registration records where you live and other details. Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) reviews your notification.
Goal: understand the basics and find the right official help route.
Translated from Swedish. Always rely on the Swedish text and the official source.
Show the original Swedish text
Första tiden i Sverige
Folkbokföring registrerar bland annat var du bor. Skatteverket prövar anmälan.
- Den som flyttar till Sverige och planerar att bo här minst ett år ska i de flesta fall vara folkbokförd.
- Första gången du blir folkbokförd får du ett personnummer.
- Du och medflyttande familjemedlemmar behöver personligen besöka ett servicekontor för identitetskontroll efter flytten.
- En separat flyttanmälan behövs för varje person.
- Välj Skatteverkets information för din medborgarskaps- och familjesituation.
- Läs vilka dokument som behövs.
- Följ informationen om anmälan och bokning; spara kvittensen.
En familj behöver inte bara en gemensam anmälan. Vistelselängd, uppehållsrätt och uppehållstillstånd påverkar prövningen; detta avgör inte ditt ärende.
Good to know
-
Moving to Sweden for at least one year? In most cases, you must join the population register.
-
When you are registered for the first time, you receive a personal identity number.
-
After moving, you and each family member moving with you must visit a service office. You need to go in person for an identity check.
-
A separate notification of moving is needed for each person.
Three steps to get started
-
Choose the Swedish Tax Agency information that fits your citizenship and family situation.
-
Read which documents are needed.
-
Follow the information about notification and booking; keep the receipt.
A practical checklist to try. It does not add any legal requirements.
Important distinctions
One notification for the whole family is not enough. How long you stay, your right of residence and your residence permit (permission to live here) affect the review. This information does not decide your case.
Practice question
Show the right answer and explanation
A. A separate notification for each person.
Skatteverket describes separate notifications and in-person identity checks.
This question is practice, not a test. Answers are not saved.
Sources
-
Skatteverket
Flytta till Sverige (opens in a new tab)“Tänk på att en separat anmälan ska göras för varje person som ska flytta.”
Checked . Check the source again before you act. Rules and contact routes can change.
In depth
Modules and guides
11 modules in this area. Everyone can read the modules marked Free. The rest are part of Premium.
11 modules in this area. You have Premium and can read everything.
No module matches. Try another word.
-
Population registration and first registration
What population registration is, who must be registered, and how you report that you have moved to Sweden.
Population registration and first registration. What population registration is, who must be registered, and how you report that you have moved to Sweden.The essentials
- If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, you usually need to register.
- Report your move to Skatteverket. The agency decides your case.
- Everyone in your family who moves with you must attend the identity check in person.
- Rules and documents depend partly on your citizenship.
Key words
- folkbokföring
- Registration by Skatteverket that you live in Sweden and where you live.
- personnummer
- An identity number you get the first time you enter the Swedish population register.
- samordningsnummer
- An identity number for someone who is not and has never been in the Swedish population register.
- identitetskontroll
- A visit where your documents are checked to confirm who you are.
After this module, you can…
- Understand what population registration means.
- Find the right report and book an identity check.
Example: a family reports their move
Sara and her family plan to live in Sweden for at least one year. First, Sara reads the rules from Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) for their situation. Each person makes their own report. The family books an identity check, and everyone goes to the service office with their documents. Then they wait for Skatteverket's decision. The report is not an automatic approval.
What is population registration?
Population registration is the registration of everyone who lives in Sweden. Skatteverket does this. The register has, for example, your name, your address, when you were born, and whether you are married or have children.
Where you are registered affects a lot: which municipality you pay tax to, where you can vote, and which benefits and support you can get. The municipality also plans things like schools based on how many people live there.
Tip: Skatteverket shares your details with other authorities and banks. So after you move, you usually only need to tell Skatteverket.
Who must be registered?
The main rule is that you must be registered if you have moved to Sweden and plan to live here for at least one year. What else is needed depends on your citizenship.
- Citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA: you must have a valid residence permit card.
- Citizen of an EU/EEA country: you can be here to work, study, or live on your own money.
- Nordic citizens and Swedish citizens: the plan must be to live here for at least one year.
- Family members have their own rules. Read what applies to your situation at Skatteverket.
Important: If you plan to be in Sweden for less than one year, you should not be registered. You may need a coordination number instead.
How to report a move to Sweden
How to do it
- Fill in the report in Skatteverket's e-service Flytta till Sverige (Move to Sweden). It is available in Swedish, English, Arabic and Ukrainian.
- Book a time for an identity check at a service office. You book through Statens servicecenter (the State Service Centre).
- Go to the service office at your booked time. Everyone in the family who moved with you must come in person.
- Bring your passport and other documents that show who you are and why you are in Sweden, for example your residence permit card.
- Wait for the decision. Read Skatteverket's current processing times. The time can vary.
Do it online
Tip: If you have not sent the report digitally, you can hand it in when you visit the service office. You can also get help with the e-service there.
After you are registered
When you are registered for the first time, you get a personal identity number. You keep it your whole life, even if you move abroad.
With the personal identity number you can apply for an ID card, open a bank account, and get electronic ID (e-ID). You also need it when you contact healthcare, the municipality and other authorities.
Important: If you have income from another country, you may have to pay tax on it in Sweden once you are registered. Contact Skatteverket if this applies to you.
Read more (2 sections)
If you are an EU/EEA citizen
If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, report your move and attend an identity check at a service centre. Skatteverket has different routes for different situations.
- Choose the route for people who plan to work in Sweden.
- Choose the route for people who plan to study in Sweden.
- Choose the route for people who plan to live on their own money.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA
You need to show a valid Swedish residence permit card when you report your move.
- Show your passport, travel document or another ID document during the identity check.
- Show that you plan to live here for at least one year, for example with a decision, work contract or study certificate.
- Give your full address, apartment number if there is one, and the name of the person you live with.
- Skatteverket may also need documents about your marital status and family relationships.
Practice question
Show the right answer and explanation
A. Skatteverket
Skatteverket registers where you live and decides on population registration.
This question is practice, not a test. Answers are not saved.
Practice question
Show the right answer and explanation
A. Makes a separate report for each person.
Each person has their own report and must come in person for the identity check. Skatteverket decides the case.
This question is practice, not a test. Answers are not saved.
Sources
- Skatteverket: Flytta till Sverige (opens in a new tab)
- Statens servicecenter: Boka identitetskontroll (opens in a new tab)
- Skatteverket: Personnummer (opens in a new tab)
- Skatteverket: Medborgare i EU/EES (opens in a new tab)
- Skatteverket: Medborgare utanför EU/EES (opens in a new tab)
- Informationsverige.se (Länsstyrelserna): Kontakt med myndigheter – Folkbokföring (opens in a new tab)
-
Personal identity numbers and coordination numbers
The difference between a personal identity number and a coordination number, and when you may need each one.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Personal identity numbers and coordination numbers. The difference between a personal identity number and a coordination number, and when you may need each one.What is a personal identity number? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
What is a coordination number? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
How to apply for a coordination number yourself Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you later enter the population register Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
When another organization requests a number Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If your number becomes inactive Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Identity checks and ID cards
How you ask for an ID card from Skatteverket [the Swedish Tax Agency], what it costs and what you do if you lose it.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Identity checks and ID cards. How you ask for an ID card from Skatteverket [the Swedish Tax Agency], what it costs and what you do if you lose it.Why do you need an ID card? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Who can get an ID card? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
How to apply, step by step Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If your application is refused Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you lose your ID card Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
New ID cards from Polisen in 2026 Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
When to renew an ID card Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Changing your address and moving
How and when you report a move within Sweden, and what you do if you move with children.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Changing your address and moving. How and when you report a move within Sweden, and what you do if you move with children.When should you report a move? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
How to report your move Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you are moving with children Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If someone already lives at your new address Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you made a mistake in the report Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
When the other guardian must agree Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If someone reports a move to your address Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Post and ways to contact services online
How you get letters from authorities on time – on paper or in a digital mailbox.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Post and ways to contact services online. How you get letters from authorities on time – on paper or in a digital mailbox.Why letters from authorities matter Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Digital mailboxes Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
Protect your address Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you have a coordination number Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Your municipality and finding your way locally
What the municipality is responsible for, where you get help with official matters and how you learn more about life in Sweden.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Your municipality and finding your way locally. What the municipality is responsible for, where you get help with official matters and how you learn more about life in Sweden.What does the municipality do? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
You have the right to fair treatment Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
Service centres: help with several authorities Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Civic orientation Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Documents and translated papers
Which papers you should keep, what a certified copy is and where you find an authorised translator.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Documents and translated papers. Which papers you should keep, what a certified copy is and where you find an authorised translator.Keep your important documents Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Population registration certificate (personbevis) Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
What is a certified copy? Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If a document needs translation Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Different situations for residence and registration
What applies depends on whether you are an EU citizen, have a residence permit [permission to live in Sweden], are here for a short time or are waiting for a decision on asylum.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Different situations for residence and registration. What applies depends on whether you are an EU citizen, have a residence permit [permission to live in Sweden], are here for a short time or are waiting for a decision on asylum.If you have a residence permit Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you will be here for less than one year Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If you have applied for asylum and are waiting for a decision Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
How the asylum application card works Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
New rules in 2026 Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Separate cases for each family member
Each person in the family has their own cases. This is how you keep track of population registration, cards and school for everyone.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Separate cases for each family member. Each person in the family has their own cases. This is how you keep track of population registration, cards and school for everyone.Each person is registered separately Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Children and their own documents Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Preschool and school Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Keep track of each person's case Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
If your family member is a Swedish citizen Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
If your family member is an EU/EEA citizen Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
A checklist for your first month
A list in the right order for the first weeks: population registration, ID, bank, mail and contacts.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
A checklist for your first month. A list in the right order for the first weeks: population registration, ID, bank, mail and contacts.The first week Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
After you get a personal identity number Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
After a few weeks Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (2 sections)
If you do not have electronic ID Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
New ID card applications from December 2026 Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
-
Guide: From asking for asylum to the decision
Application card, housing, money, school and decisions – the most important things while you wait for a decision on asylum.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
You are logged in with a free account. Get Premium to read this module.
Launch price 49 SEK/month
Guide: From asking for asylum to the decision. Application card, housing, money, school and decisions – the most important things while you wait for a decision on asylum.After you have applied Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Your asylum application card Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Children and school Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Read more (3 sections)
Housing Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Money while you wait Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Decisions and appeals Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
General information, not individual legal, medical or financial advice.