New to Sweden and coming to work

This path is for people moving to Sweden to work. Non-EU citizens must have a work permit before arriving; EU/EEA and Nordic citizens can start working immediately.

1. 1

   Secure your work permit or right to work

   Required

   Non-EU citizens apply to Migrationsverket and, as a rule, must have the permit approved before travelling. There is a minimum salary threshold — check the current figure on Migrationsverket's site.

   EU/EEA and Nordic citizens need no permit and may begin work on arrival.

2. 2

   Register your move with Skatteverket

   Required

   After you arrive, register your move at a service centre in person. Bring your passport, residence-permit card (non-EU) and proof of your job and address. A stay of 12 months or more means you are registered in the population register and receive a personnummer.

   Staying under 12 months? You get a coordination number (samordningsnummer) instead.

3. 3

   Sort out your tax

   Required

   Register for A-tax if you will be in Sweden six months or more, so your employer withholds the right preliminary tax. Shorter stays are taxed under SINK. Skatteverket sends a decision you show your employer, and you get a personal tax account (skattekonto).

   You can apply for jämkning to adjust how much tax is withheld — optional.

4. 4

   Order a Skatteverket ID card

   If it applies

   Once you have a personnummer, order the ID card if you don't already have another approved Swedish photo ID. It is what most banks want to see. Fee SEK 400.

5. 5

   Open a bank account

   Recommended

   With your ID and personnummer, open an account for your salary and rent. In the EU/EEA you have the right to a basic payment account.

6. 6

   Activate BankID

   Recommended

   Your bank issues BankID once you are a customer. It isn't a legal requirement, but daily life — payments, 1177 healthcare, the Tax Agency, your employer — assumes you have it.

7. 7

   Deal with your driving licence

   If it applies

   An EU/EEA licence stays valid. A non-EU licence generally works only until you have been registered for one year — after that you must exchange it (possible for only a few countries) or take the Swedish test.