Once you start your employment as a researcher in Sweden you need a bank account for your salary. To open a bank account you normally need a national registration number, personnummer (in Swedish). Some banks will open a bank account, with an ATM-card, even without this number. Bring your passport and a letter of acceptance from your institution. ATM cards are marked "Minuten" or "Bankomat". You will need to show the bank:  

• A valid ID.
• A certificate from your employer.
• Your personal number (if you have one). If you do not have a personal number, the bank will give you a fictitious one for administration purposes.

A Swedish account is for the Swedish currency, krona. If you need an account for Euros, the bank will charge you extra. If you would like to have your salary transfered to your account abroad, talk to your bank for information about rates and practicalities.

If you are registered with the tax office, and have a personal number, you may also wish to apply for an ID card (legitimation, in Swedish). This credit card-sized item carries your name, personal number and photograph, and rids you of the need to carry your passport. It is accepted throughout the country for most transactions as proof of identity of who you are. A Swedish driving licence also doubles as an ID card.  

ID card

Skatteverket, the Swedish tax agency can issue ID cards för individuals who are:

• registered as living in Sweden (belong to the national register),  
• at least 13 years of age  
• able to provide satisfactory references to confirm identity   

Currency converter

With a currency converter you can convert most common currencies to and from Swedish crowns, SEK.

Bank holidays

Here you can find information on current Swedish bank holidays.