Get a bank account and BankID

Having a Swedish bank account will make your life in Sweden a lot easier. Most things are paid for by credit/debit cards. Newbies often find it surprising and a bit costly – considering the international fees.

So, it might be a good idea for you to open a Swedish bank account. It is not really difficult to do. Yet, you need to take some previous steps before you do so.

What you need to open a bank account

First you need to have a personal number – personnummer. This is pretty much non-negotiable. Any Swedish bank will ask you for that. Then you will need a Swedish ID-Card. Some banks might settle with a valid passport. Yet this depends on the bank and in some extend on the good will of the bank official.

There are many banks in Sweden but Swedbank, SEB, Nordea and Handelsbanken offer personal service at a bank office. Only Swedbank offers online information in English. Most other banks offer only online and phone services.

Internet banking

Make sure to get your Internet banking settled when you open your bank account. This will facilitate your life in Sweden even more. The Internet banking will make it possible for you to do all your banking online. You will be able to pay bills, make money transactions and check your account from anywhere anytime.

This service is generally included in the whole bank account “package” however you mostly need to activate it. Your bank official will explain how to do that, but remember ask him or her about it.

Mobile Bank ID

Another service that will facilitate your life in Sweden is a BankID or a Mobile BankID. This service makes it possible for you to sign – transactions, documents, etc. – online. Instead of printing, signing and sending documents with the post, you sign the document online with your BankID.

The BankID generally comes in two versions: a stationary one (that you download on your computer) and a mobile one (that you can use on almost any computer or phone). The first version is free of charge. The second one generally costs around 500 SEK. Your bank will help you acquire a BankID, just ask them about it.

Have you have been denied a bank account? This is what you do.