Personal identity number or coordination number in Sweden

Who this guide is for

This guide is for people moving to Sweden or staying for a shorter period. It explains who normally gets each Swedish identity number and what happens if your registration changes.

The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) gives a personal identity number (personnummer) to everyone listed through population registration (folkbokföring). A coordination number (samordningsnummer) identifies someone who has never been listed in the Swedish Population Register. If you are listed there later, your personal identity number replaces your coordination number.

Who gets a personal identity number?

Everyone registered in the Swedish Population Register gets a personal identity number from Skatteverket.

Population registration is the basic registration of Sweden’s population. It records details such as your identity number, name and address.

In most circumstances, people who move to Sweden and plan to live here for at least one year should be registered in the population register. You must then notify Skatteverket of your move.

Some people with diplomatic immunity who stay for at least one year can get a personal identity number without population registration. The Swedish Government Offices (Regeringskansliet) must request the number. This guide does not cover that route.

What is a coordination number?

A coordination number is an identity number for someone who has never been listed in the Swedish Population Register.

This guide covers an application that you make yourself. Skatteverket also lists other routes, including requests from a public authority, university or college.

Can you apply for a coordination number yourself?

You can apply yourself if you have never been listed in the Swedish Population Register and plan to stay for less than one year. You must show that you need the number and have a connection to Sweden.

You must also book an appointment at a service centre for an identity check. A person who applies for their own coordination number must prove their identity.

If you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, notify Skatteverket of your move instead of applying for a coordination number. In most circumstances, people in that group should be registered in the population register. A planned stay of one year does not by itself promise that Skatteverket will register you.

How do you apply and prove your identity?

You can use Skatteverket’s coordination-number service or apply on a paper form. If you use a form, you can hand it in when Skatteverket checks your identity.

Take a passport, identity card or another document that shows your identity to the service centre. If you have a Swedish residence permit (uppehållstillstånd), also bring your residence permit card (uppehållstillståndskort). A service officer checks the documents and returns them during the visit.

If you cannot prove your identity with an identity document, you can show other evidence. Skatteverket then decides whether that evidence proves your identity.

How are the two numbers built?

Both identity numbers have ten digits. A personal identity number normally starts with six digits for the year, month and day of birth. If the numbers for a birth date run out, Skatteverket can use a nearby day instead.

A coordination number normally uses the date of birth, with 60 added to the day. For example, the day part for someone born on the third is normally 63. A nearby day can be used if the numbers for a birth date run out.

What happens if you are registered later?

Skatteverket gives you a personal identity number when you are first listed in the population register. That personal identity number replaces any coordination number you already have.

Does a personal identity number stay the same for life?

Skatteverket says you normally keep the same personal identity number for life. Moving abroad does not change it.

There are exceptions. You get a new personal identity number if Skatteverket corrects your registered date of birth or if your legal sex changes.

Can a coordination number become inactive?

A coordination number can become inactive. Skatteverket can reactivate it if you still need it. You will need to visit a service centre for a new identity check.

What this guide does not cover

This guide explains the two identity numbers and their link to population registration. Residence rights, benefits, healthcare, BankID and banking are outside its scope.

Where to get help

Use Skatteverket’s page on moving to Sweden if you plan to live here for at least one year.

For a shorter stay, use Skatteverket’s page on coordination numbers. Skatteverket’s contact page lists ways to ask questions or visit a service centre.