New in Sweden: Easy Ways on How to Open a Swedish Bank Account

ByKaren Roldan

If you recently moved to Sweden, navigating the banking system might seem like a daunting task. In this post, I’ll provide you with valuable insights and a step-by-step guide on how to open a Swedish bank account, making your transition to life in Sweden a breeze!

Having a local bank account is essential in this cashless society, offering convenience and numerous benefits, such as bill payments, online banking access, and seamless integration with Swish, the mobile payment system in Sweden.

Types of Bank Accounts in Sweden

There are two main types of bank accounts in Sweden:

  1. Payment Account (Betalkonto, Privatkonto, Lönekonto, Transaktionskonto, or Personkonto): This account has different names in each bank, but they are all the same. This is a basic account for everyday transactions, like paying bills and receiving your salary. It comes with a debit card and online banking access.
  2. Savings Account (Sparkonto): These accounts are designed for long-term savings and often offer higher interest rates.

Requirements to Open a Swedish Bank Account

Even without a Swedish personal number, you have the right to open a Swedish bank account (payment account) with basic functions as long as the bank can check your identity. This is also applicable if you’re a dependent of someone holding a work permit or student visa.

Basic functions mean

  • Open, manage, and close a payment account
  • Deposit money into a payment account
  • Withdraw money from a payment account
  • Make the following transactions within the EEA: direct debit, debit card payments including online purchases, payments
  • Debit card

Here’s the list of the most common requirements for opening a bank account in Sweden:

  • Swedish personal number (personnummer)*: This is a unique number assigned to every registered resident in Sweden. You’ll need to apply for a personnummer as soon as you move to Sweden.
  • Proof of residence: You must provide proof of your address in Sweden, such as a rental contract or utility bill.
  • Valid ID or Passport: Bring your passport or national ID card to prove your identity.
  • Employment or Study Information*: Some banks may require proof of employment or study, such as an employment contract or acceptance letter from a university.

* Find more details below on how to open a Swedish bank account, even without a personnummer or employment.

How to open a Swedish bank account

1. Research Swedish Banks

There are several banks in Sweden to choose from. When choosing, think about things like fees, types of accounts, and branch locations. I’ll highlight the banks where you can also get a bank ID.

I recommend opening a bank account with either Handelsbanken, Nordea Bank, or SEB. These are major banks in Sweden and they’ve proven to be helpful for first-time account openings.

  1. Nordea 
  2. SEB
  3. Handelsbanken
  4. Swedbank
  5. ICA Banken
  6. Danske Bank
  7. Länsförsäkringar
  8. Skandia
  9. Sparbanken Syd
  10. Ålandsbanken

2. Gather the required documents

Each bank may require different documents. Generally, be ready with your Swedish personal number (personnummer), proof of residence, a valid ID or passport, and information about your work or studies.

3. Visit a local branch

In Sweden, banks require an appointment to open an account. Currently, it’s tough to open a Swedish bank account, and the next available slot might be a few months away.

Find your local branch and make an appointment as early as you can. During this process, the bank will ask why you want to open an account.

It’s a good idea to aim for a basic payment account (betalkonto) and state that you need it to receive your salary and pay bills in Sweden.

4. Complete the application process

The bank will guide you through the application process and may ask for additional information or documents. Once your account is approved, you’ll receive a debit card and online banking access.

You will get the bank’s decision within two weeks. If you are denied a bank account or unsatisfied with their decision, you can follow the steps I’ve outlined at the end of this post.

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What is a BankID in Sweden

A BankID in Sweden is used to securely identify yourself digitally. Since almost everything in Sweden is online, you can use your BankID to digitally sign your documents, pay online, pick up your package from a service point, or do almost every transaction that you do online.

There are three types of BankIDs:

  1. BankID på kort (BankID on the card)
  2. BankID på fil (BankID on file)
  3. Mobile BankID

You need to have a card reader that is connected to your computer in order to use the BankID on the card. While Mobile BankID is an app that you download on your phone.

How to get a Bank ID

A bank ID is used to securely identify yourself digitally and is essential for many online services in Sweden. You can get a Bank ID if

  1. You have a Swedish bank account from one of the banks that issue a Bank ID
  2. You have a Swedish personal number

Not every Swedish bank offers a Bank ID. Only the ten banks I listed above do. The process to obtain a Bank ID varies from bank to bank. However, in most cases, you can order your Bank ID online through your bank’s website.

FAQ on How to Open a Swedish Bank Account

In this section, I’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions and their answers! I want to share my own experience about opening a bank account without a personnummer, and how we handled it when my husband’s attempt to open a bank account was initially rejected.

You can still open a Swedish bank account without a personnummer as long as the bank can check your identity.

Many foreigners moving to Sweden, who can’t yet obtain a personnummer, apply for a coordination number (samordningsnummer) for tax reasons. Those with a coordination number often find it easier to open a Swedish bank account.

From my personal experience, I managed to open a Swedish bank account without needing a personnummer or a samordningsnummer.

I reached out to Handelsbanken and they helped me open a bank account. I only showed the following documents:

  • Passport 
  • Job contract 
  • Residence permit card
  • Rental agreement

If you have the right to live in Sweden, then there shouldn’t be a problem with opening a Swedish bank account without a job or income.

I know that the dependents of work permit holders are having trouble with opening their own bank account despite having a personnummer.

Ensure that you highlight the need for a Swedish bank account to receive money transfers from your partner for living expenses and bill payments in Sweden.

If you are denied, then request to have the reason for denial in a written form and complain against the bank. See the text below.

When my husband, Miguel, tried to open a bank account at the Handelsbanken Jakobsberg branch, I first spoke with the branch to explain that he didn’t have a job yet. We wanted to know if he could open an individual account or if we could open a joint one, as his money in Sweden would be transferred from my Swedish bank account.

The bank officer scheduled an appointment for us so Miguel could complete the application form. It’s common for banks to ask many questions, and it’s important to answer them carefully.

If they need more information, they’ll get in touch with you. In the “source of income” section, Miguel chose the option for “transfer from family” (or something similar) and explained that I would be sending a portion of my salary to him.

Despite our efforts, his application was rejected due to a lack of income source. The bank didn’t even request additional documents or information.

Unhappy with the outcome, we filed a complaint with the National Board for Consumer Disputes (Allmänna reklamationsnämnden or ARN), a public authority similar to a court. When you receive a decision from the bank, there’s usually a note about filing a complaint with ARN if you’re dissatisfied.

Following our complaint, the bank officer apologized and asked for more documents, like my payslips, to review Miguel’s application. However, after a week of waiting, Miguel decided to cancel his application when asked to visit the branch again.

I hope you will be able to open a Swedish bank account without any problems! Always know your rights and provide all the requirements the bank asked you for.

Anyway, you only need to go through this process once since once you get a mobile BankID, you can freely open an account online.

Not sure what else you should do after arriving in Sweden? Don’t miss out on the important things to do after moving to Sweden.

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Karen Roldan is a passionate explorer, sharing practical guides and personal experiences about living in Sweden, life abroad, and captivating travel stories. Through her blog, she provides invaluable insights and inspiration for navigating the Swedish lifestyle, offering practical tips and immersive tales of cultural exploration.

One Comment

  1. Hej Karen! This article was really useful for me. I opened my bank account at ICA Banken and everything works, except for the Bank ID.
    Nowadays, to access Mobile Bank ID, they ask for a swedish national card or passpaort, which just swedish citizens have it. I have only the ID card from Skatteverket.
    How did you and your husband got the Mobile bank ID without national IDs?
    Thank you!

    Reply

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