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A2Swedish·31 cards

Personal ID number: the key words

The words around Sweden's personal number: Skatteverket, population register, coordination number and ID cards.

In Sweden almost everything runs on your personnummer. These words take you from moving here and registering, through the number itself, to getting a Swedish ID card.

High-angle view of medical ID badges for chief surgeons on a gray surface.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
  1. 1

    att flytta till Sverige

    to move to Sweden

    Tip: Where the whole process starts.

  2. 2

    Skatteverket

    the Swedish Tax Agency

    Tip: Not just taxes: it also runs the population register and issues ID cards.

  3. 3

    folkbokföringen

    the population register

    Tip: En-word, almost always in the definite form. Literally 'the people bookkeeping'.

  4. 4

    att folkbokföra sig

    to register as living in Sweden

    Tip: Reflexive verb: you register yourself.

  5. 5

    folkbokförd

    registered (in the population register)

    Tip: Past participle used as an adjective: 'I am ...'.

  6. 6

    en folkbokföringsadress

    a registered address

    Tip: The address the state has on file for you; your post goes there.

  7. 7

    en vistelse

    a stay (in a country)

    Tip: You're registered if you plan to stay at least a year.

  8. 8

    ett personnummer

    a personal identity number

    Tip: Ett-word because 'nummer' is. Date of birth plus four digits.

  9. 9

    ett födelsenummer

    a birth number (the three digits after the date)

    Tip: The official term for the serial part of the number.

  10. 10

    en siffra

    a digit

    Tip: Plural: -or.

  11. 11

    en kontrollsiffra

    a check digit (the last one)

    Tip: Calculated from the other digits to catch typos.

  12. 12

    ett bindestreck

    a hyphen

    Tip: Literally 'binding stroke'. Sits between the date and the last four.

  13. 13

    ett personbevis

    an extract from the population register

    Tip: Proof of your registered details; often needed for visas, weddings and inheritance.

  14. 14

    en flyttanmälan

    a notification of change of address

    Tip: Literally 'move-notification'. Done online with BankID.

  15. 15

    ett samordningsnummer

    a coordination number

    Tip: For people who aren't, or haven't been, registered as living in Sweden.

  16. 16

    tillfällig

    temporary

    Tip: Adjective; -t with ett-words.

  17. 17

    ett uppehållstillstånd

    a residence permit

    Tip: Ett-word because 'tillstånd' is.

  18. 18

    Migrationsverket

    the Swedish Migration Agency

    Tip: Handles residence permits and citizenship.

  19. 19

    en medborgare

    a citizen

    Tip: Literally 'co-citizen'.

  20. 20

    ett pass

    a passport

    Tip: Ett-word.

  21. 21

    en legitimation

    an ID (any proof of identity)

    Tip: In speech often shortened to 'leg'. Passport, ID card or driving licence.

  22. 22

    ett id-kort

    an ID card

    Tip: Ett-word, like the word for any card.

  23. 23

    att legitimera sig

    to show ID

    Tip: Reflexive: you identify yourself.

  24. 24

    att styrka sin identitet

    to prove your identity

    Tip: Formal; the verb means 'confirm, prove'. Reflexive possessive.

  25. 25

    en intygsgivare

    someone who vouches for your identity

    Tip: A close relative or your employer can vouch for you if you lack valid ID.

  26. 26

    ett servicekontor

    a service office

    Tip: Where you apply for an ID card and register in person.

  27. 27

    att boka tid

    to book an appointment

    Tip: No article: 'book time'.

  28. 28

    en avgift

    a fee

    Tip: The ID card fee is paid before your visit.

  29. 29

    giltig

    valid

    Tip: Adjective; -t with ett-words, -a in plural.

  30. 30

    en vårdnadshavare

    a legal guardian

    Tip: Literally 'custody holder'. Children need one for their ID card application.

  31. 31

    att spärra

    to block (a lost card)

    Tip: Done straight away when a card is lost or stolen.