The Swedish personal identity number – the core of the Swedish system
You may already have noticed how important the personal identity number is in Sweden. You virtually need it for everything ranging from getting an apartment to buying insurance. Your legal existence and welfare state inclusion rest on this identification number.
If you have moved to Sweden from abroad and are planning to live in Sweden for one year or more, you are required to register in the Swedish Population Register, which you do at the Swedish Tax Agency or by visiting a local Tax Office, there is one in Karlstad.
When you are registered, you will be given a Swedish personal identity number. Your civil status and any relationship to your spouse, children or parents will also be registered. Note that you can only apply for the personal ID number once you have actually arrived in Sweden and have an address. You also need to have received the residence permit card.
In Sweden for less than a year
If you plan to work in Sweden for less than one year, you should instead apply for a co-ordination number, which is similar to the identity number and useful to have in contacts with authorities and other system functions.