New to Sweden?
This page provides links to information and services that
will help newly arrived international students get established and
accoustomized with governmental procedures and societal systems.
Registering Your Identity
Your gateway into Swedish society is an official identification number. Without it, your access to numerous societal functions and other governmental services becomes severely limited. If you are residing in Sweden for more than a year then you must apply for a personal identity number by registering in the Swedish Population Register at the Swedish Taxation Agency. If you are not eligible to apply for a personal identity number, then Linköping University can ask the Swedish Taxation Agency to provide you with a coordination number which will allow you to interact with societal services that otherwise rely upon personal identity numbers for proof of identity. Once you have an identity number, it might be a good idea to apply for a Swedish ID Card, so that you do not need to carry around your passport and migration permit with you in the event that you need to provide proof of identity. Most digital transactions in Sweden require electronic-ID for verification, of which BankID is the most widely accepted app. Several unmanned postal services such as instabox and paketbox also require mobile e-ID for their use. To be eligible for an electronic-ID you will need to have a Swedish bank account and/or be registered in the Swedish Population Register. Follow the links below for more detailed information.
Swedish Taxation Agency – Official Links
How to Register with the Swedish Population Register
The King Is Not Cash
Sweden is predominantly a cashless society. Stores, restaurants, and other services can require that you pay via digital means such as credit card or the Swedish mobile app SWISH. Bills/invoices are also conveniently handled digitally via Swedish bank apps/websites. It is therefore crucial if you plan to stay in Sweden for a longer period of time, that you open a Swedish bank account. If you only plan to stay Sweden for a few months you may opt for a neobank service that can provide compatible payment solutions in Sweden. See the links below for more detailed information.
Other Relevant Sites
Renting In Sweden
Rental apartments can be difficult for new commers to the state of Östergötland to obtain because housing is scarce and many real estate agents have implemented a queuing system. Some agents also require you to have a personal identity number in order to register interest in vacant listings. It is possible to bypass major real estate agents and find places to rent via private landlords in Swedish classifieds such as blocket however due to the high demand for housing, fake advertisements are increasingly common. It is therefore not advisable to make any payment before you have signed a contract and personally visited the apartment that you are planning to rent. KOMBO is a service that Linköping university’s student unions provide for students (including doctoral students) looking for places to rent. Visit their informative website in the links below. The university’s international office is also able to assist international employees in finding appropriate housing.
