New in Sweden? Book an appointment for an identity check
From 3 June, identity checks will be carried out using digital facial comparison technology. These checks apply to anyone who needs a coordination number, or who needs to be listed in the Swedish Population Register in connection with their move to Sweden. The aim of these checks is to ensure identity security, and thereby accurate population registration. Remember to book an appointment for your identity check.
“There is already a requirement to visit a service centre in person for an identity check if you need to be listed in the Swedish Population Register or are due to be given a coordination number,” says business developer Tobias Wijk at the Swedish Tax Agency. “Now, we are installing biometric comparison equipment to make documentation checks even more secure.”
Plan your visit in advance
In addition to identity checks using digital face comparison technology, identity documents will be scanned and verified via machine reading for increased security. Face comparison and control tools will be used at 58 service centres. If you are required to visit a service centre for an identity check, you must first book an appointment. You can book one on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website.
Coordination numbers marked with three identity levels
If you are issued with a coordination number, it will be marked with one of the following three possible identity levels: confirmed, probable or uncertain. We can mark your coordination number as “confirmed” if you have visited a service centre in person for an identity check, and proved your identity by providing valid documentation.
“As a general rule, the identity level should be confirmed,” says Tobias Wijk.
“In future, a coordination number with a confirmed identity marking will be more useful in society, since we will have carried out an identity check on the individual concerned. However, this requires that public authorities and companies adapt their registers so that this information is also shown by the user.”
Facts: Personal identity numbers and Coordination numbers
Personal identity numbers
- Children born in Sweden are given a personal identity number if their mother is listed in the Swedish Population Register, or if their father is both listed in the Swedish Population Register and their legal guardian. You will also be assigned a personal identity number if you are listed in the Swedish Population Register after moving to Sweden from abroad. This applies if you intend to stay in Sweden for one year or more.
- You must then notify the Swedish Tax Agency of your address. If you are listed in the Swedish Population Register and you move house, you must notify the Swedish Tax Agency within one week of moving. Deliberately giving false information or failing to notify us of a change of address is a criminal offence that can lead to fines or imprisonment.
Coordination numbers
- If you need to be registered by a Swedish public authority but does not fulfil the requirements to be listed in the Swedish Population Register, you can be assigned a coordination number. There are three possible identity levels: confirmed, probable or uncertain.
You can also apply for a coordination number yourself if you have a clear need for it due to your connection to Sweden. This could be the case if you live in another country but have a holiday home in Sweden, for example. If you apply for a coordination number yourself, your identity must be confirmed. - You must have an address for receipt of post, but you are not required to live at that address. If your contact address changes, you must notify the Swedish Tax Agency.
- A coordination number is similar to a personal identity number. However, in a coordination number, the number 60 is added to the fifth and sixth digits indicating date of birth.
- A coordination number does not bestow any social security benefits. However, it can make it much easier to manage practical details relating to life in Sweden.