When you move to Sweden or start working there, one of the first things you’ll hear about is the Swedish Tax ID, known as the Personnummer. Think it as a key that unlocks everything you need in daily life, from seeing a doctor to opening a bank account. The thing is, getting this number can be tough if you don’t know how it all works. So, I wrote this article to help make things easier for you.

What is the Swedish Tax Id (Personnummer)

The Personnummer serves as an unique identifier assigned to individuals with a residence permit in Sweden that are expected to live in the country more than a year (while the coordination number is given to those with a residence permit that lasts less than a year).

You might be interested in: How to get a residence permit in Sweden?

With this number, you get access to most public benefits, such as:

• healthcare
• access to banking
• unemployment benefits
• public education, etc…

Who can get a Personnummer?

The Personnummer is issued to residents of Sweden that are expected to live in the country for at least 12 months.

This “12 month rule” allows those individuals expected to live long term in Sweden to fully integrate into the public systems, including healthcare, social services, education, and financial services, which are essential for long-term residents.

And, even though residing in Sweden for less than 12 months (and getting a coordination number) doesn’t outright deny you access to these services, it certainly restricts it.

How are the digits in the Personnummer?

This identification number is composed of 10 or 12 digits, structured to include your birth date in the YYYYMMDD format, followed by a hyphen or plus sign, and concluding with four unique digits.

These final digits are critical, as they distinguish your Personnummer from anyone else’s.

Is the Personnummer Permanent?

Yes, the Personnummer is permanent. Once assigned, this number will accompany an individual throughout their entire life in Sweden, unchanged by any alterations in personal circumstances or status.

Why Do You Need a Swedish Tax Id

As explained, a personnummer will allow access to public services such:

• Public healthcare
• Free education
• and other social security benefits

But, there are other points of views that will help expand on the importance of the Swedish tax id.

Let’s discuss them:

For Employment

Employers use the Personnummer to compute and deduct taxes accurately from your salary ensuring compliance with Swedish tax laws, directly linking your income to the national tax system.

You might be interested in: How do taxes work in Sweden?

So, if you want to find a job in Sweden, you’ll not only need a solid CV and cover letter, but also your personnummer. Otherwise, employers won’t take you seriously.

For Self-Employed/Business Owners

If you’re a self-employed freelancer or you own a business, the Personnummer is important for registering your business and handling your taxes.

In fact, the personnummer will allow you to pay (when suitable) for VAT, income tax, and other business-related taxes.

Beyond taxes, it facilitates opening business bank accounts, applying for loans, and accessing business support services offered by the government.

For Students and Family Members of Residence Holders

Students and family members of Swedish residence permit holders need a Personnummer for everything from university registration to accessing:

• student loans and scholarships
• healthcare
• banking services, and proving your right of residence.

How to Get a Swedish Tax Id (Personnummer)

Let’s discuss the process of getting a Swedish tax id (a.k.a. personnummer when you just move to Sweden).

Requirements to Get a Tax ID in Sweden

The first requirement you must prove to get a personnummer is to show that you’ll be staying in Sweden for more than 12 months.

This is typically evidenced by your plans for working, studying, being self-sufficient, starting a business, or reuniting with family members already residing in Sweden.

You’d also have to show you:

• passport
• valid Swedish address

Regarding the rest of the requirements, they can vary slightly depending on your citizenship (EU vs. non-EU):

For EU Citizens

• Proof of employment or offer of employment in Sweden (as an employee)
• Enrollment in a Swedish educational institution (as a student) and health insurance
• For entrepreneurs, proof of owning a business and having sufficient funds to support yourself.
• For family reunification, documentation proving your relationship with someone already residing in Sweden

For Non-EU Citizens

• A valid residence permit, typically issued to those legally coming to Sweden for work, including job seekers and Blue Card visa holders, students, self-employed individuals launching a business, or family members of existing residence permit holders.
• For workers and self-employed, a confirmed job offer or business plan.
• For students, proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
• For family members, evidence of your relationship and the resident’s ability to support you.

Steps to Get a Swedish Personnummer

• Gather necessary documents based on the requirements previously discussed (i.e. valid passport) and supplementary information regarding your particular circumstance:
  • For employees, that is: Employment contract or offer letter from a Swedish employer, detailing the terms of your employment and the duration of your contract.
  • For self-employed people, that is: A detailed business plan, proof of sufficient funds to support yourself, and evidence of any necessary business licenses or registrations in Sweden.
  • For job seeker visa holders, that is: Proof of your qualifications and professional experience, a detailed CV, and a plan for finding employment in Sweden, including any steps already taken.
  • For family members of residence permit holders, that is: Documentation proving your relationship to the resident in Sweden (such as marriage certificates, birth certificates), and evidence that the resident can financially support you.
  • For students, that is: Admission letter from a recognized Swedish educational institution, proof of comprehensive health insurance, and evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
• Book an Appointment: Visit either this link or this link to schedule your appointment at a local Swedish state service center.
• Visit in Person: Attend your appointment, submit your documents, and complete the registration as a resident in Sweden.

Once you follow all the steps… how long does it take to get it?

Once all documents are submitted, the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) generally takes about 2 to 6 weeks to receive your Personnummer, though this can vary based on individual cases and the time of year.

You’ll receive a letter from to your registered Swedish address, confirming your Personnummer.

Where You Can Find Your Swedish Tax Id (Personnummer)

If you already have your personnummer but you don’t know where to find it, here’s how you can get it:

• Payslip: Your monthly payslip from your employer will list your Personnummer, as it’s used for all employment and tax-related matters.
• Income Declaration (Inkomstdeklaration): This is the tax return document you’ll file with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Your Personnummer will be prominently displayed on it. For reference, you can see an example of how it looks here: Income Declaration Example.
• Swedish ID Card/Residence Permit: If you have a Swedish ID card or residence permit, your Personnummer will be on it
• Registration Certificate: After you register with the Skatteverket and are issued a Personnummer, you’ll receive a registration certificate. This document confirms your registration and includes your Personnummer.

What Happens if You Loose Your Swedish Tax Id

Losing your Personnummer doesn’t mean you’ve lost your identity in Sweden… so you don’t have to stress too much about it.

In fact, there are multiple channels through which you can retrieve your personnummer, such as by:

1. Calling Skatteverket: The first step is to contact the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). They can assist you by confirming your Personnummer over the phone, after verifying your identity through security questions.
2. Checking Official Documents: Look through official documents where your Personnummer might be listed, such as your payslip, tax declaration forms, or any correspondence from Skatteverket.
3. Visiting a Skatteverket Office: If you’re unable to resolve the issue over the phone or online, visiting a local Skatteverket office can help. Bring valid identification and any documents you have that were issued by Skatteverket, and they can assist you in person.
4. Using Online Services: If you have access to the Swedish electronic identification (BankID), you can log in to various Swedish government websites, such as Skatteverket or the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), where your Personnummer will be visible.

The Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer)

The Coordination Number, or “Samordningsnummer,” is a unique identifier assigned by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to individuals who are not eligible for a Swedish personal identity number (Personnummer) but have dealings with Swedish authorities.

These individuals (usually) get a coordination number instead of a personnummer when staying in Sweden for less than 12 months.

In other words, it’s a practical way for non-residents to interact with the Swedish system, especially for taxes and employment.

So… what’s the difference with the standard tax id (personnummer)?

The main difference with the personnummer is that the coordination number does not automatically enroll individuals in the Swedish social services system, such as healthcare and education.

Who can get a Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer)

As explained, the coordination number is typically assigned to:

• Short-term workers in Sweden who do not meet the criteria (at least 12 months living and working in Sweden) for a Personnummer
• Foreign individuals involved in temporary activities in Sweden, such as certain business activities or short educational programs.
• Individuals applying for or awaiting a decision on residency, asylum seekers, or those without a clear residency status in Sweden.

How are the digits in the Personnummer?

Just like with the Personnummer, the Coordination Number consists of ten digits, beginning with the individual’s date of birth in the YYMMDD format.

However, to distinguish it from a Personnummer, 60 is added to the day of birth. The number ends with a four-digit code, where the first three digits are unique to the individual, and the last digit is a control number.

Example: If someone is born on April 15, 1980, their Coordination Number would start with 800415+60, resulting in 800475, followed by a unique four-digit code.

How to Get a Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer)

Before talking about how to get a coordination number, it’s important to first talk about the requirements needed to get one.

Generally, these requisites are the same for both EU and non-EU citizens and depend on your purpose in Sweden:

• For employees: Proof of employment or a job offer from a Swedish employer.
• For students: Admission letter from a Swedish educational institution.
• For self employed people: Documentation of your business activities in Sweden, including business plans and evidence of financial means.
• For family members of a residence permit holder: Proof of relationship to someone residing in Sweden, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate for children.

Of course, along these requirements you’ll have to prove your identity, Swedish presence and financial resources by presenting your:

• Valid passport
• Valid Swedish address
• Evidence of sufficient funds and a comprehensive health insurance policy.

Steps to get your coordination number

This is what to do to get your coordination number after collecting all the supporting documentation mentioned earlier:

1. Download and Fill Out the Application: Get the SKV 7540 form from the Swedish Tax Agency’s website. Fill it out before or during your visit to a service centre and attach supporting documentation when suitable
2. Undergo an Identity Check: Personally visit a Swedish state service centre with your completed application for identity verification (a.k.a. showing your passport / valid address)
3. Understand the Validity: Your Coordination Number is active for five years and can be reactivated with a visit to a service centre for identity verification.

And.. how long does the Swedish Tax Agency take to send you your coordination number to your address?

The processing time for a Coordination Number can vary, but it typically takes a few weeks from the application submission to receiving the number.

It’s not issued on a card like the Swedish ID card for Personnummers, you’d just receive the number.

Can you “Turn” a Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer) into a Personnummer?

Yes, it is possible to transition from having a Coordination Number (Samordningsnummer) to obtaining a Swedish personal identity number (Personnummer), but this process essentially involves meeting the criteria that would have made you eligible for a Personnummer in the first place.

The transition involves a new application process reflecting a change in your residency status or conditions in Sweden.

And.. how does the number change?

Well… you’ll be assigned a new number, the Personnummer.

As explained before, this number follows a different format, primarily indicating your date of birth and including a four-digit code that differs from the one in your Coordination Number.

The VAT Number (Momsregistreringsnummer or VAT-nummer)

The VAT Number in Sweden, known as “Momsregistreringsnummer” or simply “VAT-nummer,” is a unique identifier for businesses and individuals engaged in taxable activities (when they surpass certain income thresholds).

It allows registered entities to collect VAT on their sales and reclaim VAT on their purchases.

Who Has to Register?

Both individuals (such as sole traders) and organizations (like companies and partnerships) become subject to VAT in Sweden once their turnover exceeds specific thresholds.

What are those thresholds?

• Businesses with a turnover of less than SEK 80,000 per year are not required to register for VAT.
• For EU-based businesses selling to Swedish consumers, the threshold is about EUR 35,000, beyond which registration for a Swedish VAT Number is required.

Swedish VAT Format

The VAT Number in Sweden typically starts with the country code SE, followed by the 10-digit corporate identity number (Organisationsnummer) of the business, and ends with the suffix “01”, making it a total of 14 characters (e.g., SE556677889901).

If the VAT entity is an individual, such as a sole trader, the VAT Number in Sweden still follows a similar format. It starts with the country code SE, followed by the individual’s personal identity number (Personnummer) or, in some cases, a unique identifier assigned to the sole trader, and ends with the suffix “01”.

Swedish VAT Rates

Sweden has different VAT rates depending on the type of goods or services:

Type of Goods/Services	VAT Rate
Standard Rate	25%
Reduced Rate (foodstuffs, hotels, and certain services)	12%
Special Rate (books, newspapers, passenger transport)	6%
Zero Rate (exports, certain medical services)	0%

How to Get a VAT Number (Momsregistreringsnummer or VAT-nummer)

Here are the requirements you’d need to gather so you can get your VAT Number (for you or your organization) in Sweden:

• Taxable Sales: You need to conduct sales of goods or services that are subject to VAT
• If you have a business: Your business must be registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket)
• If you’re operating as a sole proprietorship: When registering with the Tax Agency, sole traders declare their intention to conduct business, which can include selling goods or services subject to VAT. This registration is crucial for the Tax Agency to assess the business activity and issue a VAT Number accordingly.
• Surpass financial thresholds: If you or your business exceeds certain turnover thresholds, registration for VAT becomes mandatory.

Guide to Get a Swedish VAT Number

You first apply for a VAT Number through the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). This can be done online, via their website, or through paper forms at their offices.

Then, you must provide details about your business, including your corporate identity number (Organisationsnummer) if you’re an organization, or your personal identity number (Personnummer) if you’re a sole trader, along with information on your business activities.

Unlike the process for obtaining a Personnummer, no in-person appointment is required for getting a VAT Number. The entire application can be completed online or sent in by mail.

Swedish VAT Reporting Requirements

After obtaining your VAT Number in Sweden, you’re required to comply with the Swedish Tax Agency’s (Skatteverket) VAT reporting requirements. These requirements involve:

• Frequency: The frequency of your VAT declarations (which include: sales, purchases, exports, imports, and adjustments) depends on your business size and turnover. Typically, VAT is reported monthly, quarterly, or annually. Most businesses report VAT on a monthly basis.
• Electronic Filing: VAT declarations are generally filed electronically through the Swedish Tax Agency’s online services. This requires an electronic identification (eID).
• Deadlines: It’s crucial to submit your VAT returns on time to avoid penalties. Deadlines are strictly enforced, usually falling on the 12th of the month following the end of the reporting period for monthly filers, with slightly different deadlines for quarterly and annual filers.

Where to Find a Business’ VAT number

Interested in knowing where to find a business’ VAT number? Well, here are the most common places where to find it:

• Invoices: Businesses must display their VAT number on all invoices, usually found in the header or footer.
• Website: Check the business’s official website, often in the “Contact Us” section, footer, or legal notice page.
• Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket): Lists registered businesses and their VAT numbers.
• VIES (VAT Information Exchange System): A tool by the European Commission for checking EU VAT numbers.

The Corporate Identity Number (Organisationsnummer)

The Corporate Identity Number in Sweden, known as “Organisationsnummer,” is a unique identifier for entities engaged in economic activity, including companies, associations, and some branches of government.

Once assigned, an Organisationsnummer is permanent and follows the entity throughout its existence.

Who Gets One?

It is assigned to organizations, not individuals.

This includes businesses, government agencies, associations, and non-profits.

Corporate Identity Number Format

• Format: It consists of 10 digits, formatted as XXXXXX-XXXX.
• Unique: Each number is unique to an organization and is used in all interactions with Swedish authorities and for commercial activities.

How to Get a Corporate Identity Number

To get a corporate identity number, the Swedish entity must register with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) or relevant authorities, depending on the type of organization.

The process involves submitting an application to the Bolagsverket which can often be done online and the processing time can vary, but entities typically receive their Organisationsnummer within a few weeks.

You’ll receive the number in an official letter from the Bolagsverket.

Where to Find a Business’s Corporate Identity Number

Normally, you’d find a Business’s Corporate Identity Number in the following documents:

• Invoices and Official Documents (Mandatory): Swedish law requires that businesses include their Organisationsnummer on all invoices and official documents.
• Website: Most businesses display their Organisationsnummer on their website, often in the footer or the “About Us” section.
• Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket): This is the primary source for verifying an entity’s registration and Organisationsnummer.