How life works in Sweden

Step-by-step, in plain language.

Step-by-step guides

• Get a personal number (personnummer)Required for healthcare, banking, work and most contracts. Apply at Skatteverket once you have a residence permit valid 12+ months.
  1. 1

     Book a visit at Skatteverket

     Bring passport, residence-permit card, marriage/birth certificates (translated to Swedish or English) and a rental contract.

     Book at Skatteverket
  2. 2

     Register your address (folkbokföring)

     You must be living at the address — Skatteverket can check. Update within a week if you move.

  3. 3

     Receive your number by post

     Takes 2–8 weeks. With it you can apply for BankID and open a bank account.

• Get BankIDBankID is your digital ID for everything: doctor bookings, tax, signing contracts. You need a bank account first.
• Register for healthcareWith a personnummer you have the same rights as residents. Without one, you can still get emergency and child care.
• School & childcareChildren aged 6–16 must attend school. Apply through your kommun.
• Free Swedish classes (SFI)Every adult resident is entitled to free Swedish lessons.
• Your rightsYou're protected by Swedish law from your first day, regardless of permit type.

Official institutions in Sweden

• 🇸🇪

  Migrationsverket

  Residence permits, asylum, citizenship

  Official site 0771-235 235
• 🇸🇪

  Skatteverket

  Personal number (personnummer), tax

  Official site 0771-567 567
• 🇸🇪

  Försäkringskassan

  Social insurance, parental benefits, sick pay

  Official site 0771-524 524
• 🇸🇪

  Arbetsförmedlingen

  Public employment service, etableringsprogrammet

  Official site 0771-416 416
• 🇸🇪

  1177 Vårdguiden

  Healthcare advice, find clinic

  Official site 1177
• 🇸🇪

  SFI — Swedish for Immigrants

  Free language classes (municipality)

  Official site
• 🇸🇪

  CSN

  Student aid for adult studies

  Official site 0771-276 000
• 🇸🇪

  Kronofogden

  Debt and enforcement

  Official site

Information sourced from official government portals. Rules can change — always confirm on the linked official site. TerraNowa provides informational guidance only.