International Club of Skane
American Women's Club, Malmo (also in Stockholm & Gutenburg)
EURAXESS, services for international researchers
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Personnummer & Tax Office Registration & ID card
Horror stories about getting the personnummer abound. However, I actually found the process of applying pretty painless. This website suggests going straight to the Tax Office (Skatterverket) in person, immediately, the day you arrive in Sweden, BEFORE unpacking or doing anything else. This is smart as just about everything else (bank account, cell phone, even your frequent shopper discount card at the grocery store!) will require you to have one.
I went to the Skatterverket office at Stora Södergatan 45 in Lund. (List of the location of offices in Sweden here; contact info for the Lund office here). I had heard I need an appointment with a translator- no. I took a number from the machine to be in the queue (ended up waiting about 30 minutes). The man at the counter gave me the form to apply for a personnummer (in Swedish) and a laminated copy in English, so I knew how to fill it out.
Various sources differ in listing the required documents. The Skatterverket brochure 717B says you need:
1. *Passport
2. *proof of residency ("uppehållstillstånd")/residence permit
3.* Official papers that certify civil status (married or sambo)
4. *Birth certificate for children
The thing is, your proof of residency and your work permit are both contained in your visa, which is in your passport... so what you need is your passport & your marriage certificate. And birth certificates, if you have kids. There is no charge to apply for a personnummer.
When your number is called, the person helping you will make sure the form is filled out correctly, make exacting color copies of your passports & marriage certificate, and put at least 3 extremely official-looking stamps on every page of the copies. He said that the decision will be delivered by mail within one month. This will consist of both registration ("folkbokförd") and the personnummer.
I was getting desperate when I hadn't gotten my personnummer after a month, and therefore couldn't open a bank account and access my money, couldn't have a regular cell phone instead of pre-paid, etc. I called the Skatteverket number and spoke to the customer service agent, and then her manager, and asked nicely if there was any way to speed up the process. Apparently there was enough desperation in my voice, as the guy helped me, and my personnummer arrived in the mail the next day.
When you have received this info by mail and you have a personnummer, you can return to your friends at Skatterverket to get your "personbevis."
The "personbevis" is an "extract from the population registry." Some sources imply that the personbevis is important. No one I talked to seemed to think so. The guy at Skatterverket asked why I needed it, and said it was basically superfluous since I had my personnummer and that was what was important, and meant I was in the system. (He said it was largely used by people who wanted to bring over other family members for later immigration.) However, he printed out a piece of paper for me saying "personbevis" on it (this was the guy behind the counter, I didn't have to wait in the queue to see someone).
Since I was already at Skatterverket, I asked if there was anything else I should do there. I was told that I had to go to the office in Malmö to apply for my ID card, since they don't offer that service in Lund. (You can get a bank giro slip from the office here, and then take it to the bank or Forex to pay.)
However, I was able to sign up for the social services program while I was at the Skatterverket office. Once I get my card in the mail (maybe a month or so?), I will be eligible for social benefits like health care, the pension system, etc. So this is important to take care of as soon as you get your personnummer, as otherwise you'll pay out of pocket for doctors visits, etc.
The LUFF website has additional info, but some of this did not apply for me or seems to be outdated.
OK, now it's time to apply for your ID card! (Identitetskort)
This will be your official ID in Sweden (as an alternative to your passport). Some sources state that you can apply at a bank or post office for this card. I asked at Nordea and they said they do not offer this service. As there are no longer real post offices in Sweden, just small service centers, I doubt that that would work, but you could always try.
In any case, at Skatteverket in Lund they told me I had to go to the Malmö office to apply for my ID card. Not the main Malmö office, mind you; the Malmö office at 7 Kattsundsgatan (open daily 08:00-18:00, located about a 15 minute walk from the train station).
I needed to bring:
- My personnummer
- My passport with the visa in it
- The receipt showing I had paid the 400 SEK fee for the service (had to be done ahead of time, using Skatteverket bank giro note at Nordea; paying at Forex would be cheaper. I did it the same day and this was fine since I had the receipt showing I had paid. I believe you could go straight to the bank and pay the fee to bankgiro 389-0100, on a form showing your personnummer, but perhaps you need the official bankgiro form from Skatteverket.)
Some sources state that you need:
- A Swedish person, who has a Swedish ID card (also personbevis) who can vouch for the identity of the applicant. The Skatteverket brochure SKV 721 specifies who this person can be (supposed to be a family member, or your boss, and/or someone who has known you for over one year).
However, if you have a new, fancy kind of visa with the special hologram sticker, that is considered electronic vouching for your identity, and you do not need to bring an attestor.
Other sources say that you need a photograph- not the case, they take your photo at the Skatteverket office.
It seems to me that you could go straight to the Skatteverket office in Malmö after receiving your personnummer, as the people there did not look at my personbevis paper. If you did this, you would need to pay the 400 SEK fee first before going to the Skatteverket office.
You will get a letter in the mail when your ID card is ready. You will then get to return to the office where you made the application, and pick it up in person.
Finding housing
Be prepared that finding a suitable place to live from afar is time consuming and frustrating. Have patience and be resourceful & tireless... it will work out! And it's a huge relief to know you have a place to land when you arrive.
Write up a "housing wanted" ad describing a bit about yourself (include a picture to show what a nice, normal tenant you are) and what you're looking for, and send to EVERYONE you know in Sweden... your department, people you met for 2 minutes when you were there... word of mouth really helps.
Just like everywhere else, there are a few rotten apples... scammers who would love to cheat you out of your money, so be careful. (The first person to contact me wanted to rent me a nonexistant apartment, sight unseen, without someone able to check it out because he had "already moved overseas" and would mail me the keys... sketchy!!). It really helps for peace of mind to have a local contact available to check out the place and make sure everything seems OK.
In Sweden, they refer to the number of "rooms" as including a living room... so a 2 room apartment would be 1 bedroom + living room.
Note that many apartments in Sweden are owned by the state and work from a long waiting list that takes a year or more to make you eligible. You may want to sign up for those to increase your choices down the line, but you will probably have to find a private party rental at first.
This may be either "firsthand" (direct from the owner, how it is usually done in the US) or "andrahand", which is Google translated as "in the alternative" but I think should be thought of as "second-hand", meaning you are renting from a tenant (since people tend to keep their apartments for a long time, because they are so freaking hard to find!!!).
Websites to look for housing in Lund:
Helpful guide for students looking for housing in Lund here
Real Estate Swedish
Write up a "housing wanted" ad describing a bit about yourself (include a picture to show what a nice, normal tenant you are) and what you're looking for, and send to EVERYONE you know in Sweden... your department, people you met for 2 minutes when you were there... word of mouth really helps.
Just like everywhere else, there are a few rotten apples... scammers who would love to cheat you out of your money, so be careful. (The first person to contact me wanted to rent me a nonexistant apartment, sight unseen, without someone able to check it out because he had "already moved overseas" and would mail me the keys... sketchy!!). It really helps for peace of mind to have a local contact available to check out the place and make sure everything seems OK.
In Sweden, they refer to the number of "rooms" as including a living room... so a 2 room apartment would be 1 bedroom + living room.
Note that many apartments in Sweden are owned by the state and work from a long waiting list that takes a year or more to make you eligible. You may want to sign up for those to increase your choices down the line, but you will probably have to find a private party rental at first.
This may be either "firsthand" (direct from the owner, how it is usually done in the US) or "andrahand", which is Google translated as "in the alternative" but I think should be thought of as "second-hand", meaning you are renting from a tenant (since people tend to keep their apartments for a long time, because they are so freaking hard to find!!!).
Websites to look for housing in Lund:
Helpful guide for students looking for housing in Lund here
1. http://www.blocket.se Swedish craigslist, the main source. Browse posted ads for free; posting a housing wanted ad costs about $15, and is how I found my place (and was contacted by several good possibilities, in addition the scammer; lots of people do not post their housing available, but instead look for a suitable tenant and contact them directly). However I needed a Swedish credit card to make this work, my US one did not.
Look at first listing (Lagenheter) under 3rd category (Bostad) from pulldown menu
(use Google Translate for individual listings, doesn't work for website. To mail the person who posted an ad, use the Swedish version of the website, the Translated version won't work. You can match the ad by time/date posted).
2. http://www.akelius.se/ Have to register, need mysterious number to do so
3. http://www.andrahand.se/ rent apartments, vacation rentals.
4. http://www.stenafastigheter.se/Bost%C3%A4der/LedigaBost%C3%A4der
vacant housing & parking spaces. None listed for Lund; most of their Malmo housing is listed in Boplats South
6. http://www.andrahandsguiden.com/
guide to firsthand rentals in Sweden, can order book on same in Scania for 195 SEK (all in Swedish, not helpful)
free listings, not much there. posted ad for housing wanted.
8. http://www.bostaddirekt.com/Default.aspx
9. http://www.stadsbostad.se/ application form to fill out,
requires personnummer. Cute, centrally located, downtown-ish apartments with character. need to get on list
· To register:
· ”Nej” personnumer; make your number your yyyy-mm-dd of birthday.
· Have to click to ”register your interest” for available places to get on list to see them.
· dogs are allowed in all properties.
· average wait time 2 years.
Only for purchasing houses:
http://bovision.se/ can’t get to work
http://www.hsb.se for sale, much untranslatable by google translate
Real Estate Swedish
| bostadratt | tenant |
| Inneboende | Intrinsic/lodger |
| Radhus | townhouse |
| Hyresratt | Rental properties |
| bor i foraldrahem | Living in parental home |
| hyr lagenhet i andra hand | Rent apartment in the alternative |
| Lägenhet | apartment |
| Ort | city |
| Hyra | lease |
| · Min och Max antal rum: | Min & max # rooms |
| Våning: | Floor (ground, etc) |
| Yta/Boyta | Area (m2) |
| 2:a våningen /1 trappa upp | 2nd floor/ 1 stair up |
| Våning | floor |
| Hiss | Elevator |
| balkong | Balcony |
| Byggår | built |
| Diskmaskin | dishwasher |
| Tvättutrustning | Washing machine |
| Tvätt | Laundry room |
| Sovrum | bedroom |
| Vardagsrum | Living room |
| Kök | kitchen |
| Bad | bathroom |
| Bytes | Housing exchange |
Visa & residence paperwork
You must have arranged a residence permit (Uppehållstillstånd) and a work permit (Arbetstillstånd) before leaving home.
WORK PERMIT INFO
Your employer must also demonstrate that the position was advertised in Sweden and the EU for 10 days. I can't find a form for this on the website, but not having this delayed my application by several weeks (unbeknownst to me), so make sure your employer speaks with Migrationsverket and demonstrates this correctly.
***You will need good quality, yet small file size (<1MB) scans of your documents
*** In addition to the documents listed on the website (passport, offer of employment), you will also need a scan of your marriage certificate if you are applying with a spouse. You won't find this out until the very last page of the application. So if you have ridden your bike to your sister's house to use her PC computer, you will have to ride it back up the hill with your memory stick and scan your marriage certificate at your house, then go back down and finish the application. So scan it ahead of time!
Swedish Embassy in DC is 202-467-2600. Press 9 to speak to customer service. Visa phone hour (where you can speak to someone who actually knows something) is between 11am-noon EST, Monday through Friday except Tuesday, so call then.
The visa folks in DC will only be able to answer procedural questions. The actual visa process happens in Sweden at Migrationsverket. To find out the status of your visa (i.e., why is it taking so long and when will it be ready), you have to call them directly: +46-771-235-235 (press 2 for customer service, then press 1 for English). Or you can check the status of your application online here, but this requires you know your case number (not your check number), which I only received from speaking to someone at Migrationsverket (if it is ever shown during the application process, WRITE IT DOWN, as you won't receive an email or any other record with it). Note that they are only open from 8:30am-12:30pm from July 19- August 6.
Once your application is approved by Migrationsverket, they will communicate electronically with the embassy in DC who actually issues the visa. At this point, you must mail your materials to the embassy in DC. There are not specific instructions for electronic application on the DC website, but they told me that all that's needed is your passport, 2 passport photos, and a check for return postage ($10 regular, $17 overnight).
The address is:
Embassy of Sweden
Attn: Visa Section
2900 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
You have already paid the processing fee, and they will look you up by last name so you don't need to include other information. They said they were able to do this overnight once the visa is approved. Today is Thursday. I will FedEx them so they get there Friday. They said they will issue the sticker Monday and mail Tuesday, or Wednesday by the latest. Plenty of time to catch our flight on Sunday, phew!
Alternatively, you can apply through the mail, filling out these two forms and sending passports, photos, and all documentation by mail. This takes 2-3 months, during which time you won't have your passport, so electronic is preferred.
WORK PERMIT INFO
- Offer of Employment Form no. 232011
Your employer must also demonstrate that the position was advertised in Sweden and the EU for 10 days. I can't find a form for this on the website, but not having this delayed my application by several weeks (unbeknownst to me), so make sure your employer speaks with Migrationsverket and demonstrates this correctly.
- You can apply electronically for a work permit here. They list a 3 week turnaround. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! Especially over the summer, when most everyone in Sweden is on vacation and things don't happen very fast. It took me exactly 2 months to get approval, plus time to send in my visa to DC upon approval.
***You will need good quality, yet small file size (<1MB) scans of your documents
*** In addition to the documents listed on the website (passport, offer of employment), you will also need a scan of your marriage certificate if you are applying with a spouse. You won't find this out until the very last page of the application. So if you have ridden your bike to your sister's house to use her PC computer, you will have to ride it back up the hill with your memory stick and scan your marriage certificate at your house, then go back down and finish the application. So scan it ahead of time!
Swedish Embassy in DC is 202-467-2600. Press 9 to speak to customer service. Visa phone hour (where you can speak to someone who actually knows something) is between 11am-noon EST, Monday through Friday except Tuesday, so call then.
The visa folks in DC will only be able to answer procedural questions. The actual visa process happens in Sweden at Migrationsverket. To find out the status of your visa (i.e., why is it taking so long and when will it be ready), you have to call them directly: +46-771-235-235 (press 2 for customer service, then press 1 for English). Or you can check the status of your application online here, but this requires you know your case number (not your check number), which I only received from speaking to someone at Migrationsverket (if it is ever shown during the application process, WRITE IT DOWN, as you won't receive an email or any other record with it). Note that they are only open from 8:30am-12:30pm from July 19- August 6.
Once your application is approved by Migrationsverket, they will communicate electronically with the embassy in DC who actually issues the visa. At this point, you must mail your materials to the embassy in DC. There are not specific instructions for electronic application on the DC website, but they told me that all that's needed is your passport, 2 passport photos, and a check for return postage ($10 regular, $17 overnight).
The address is:
Embassy of Sweden
Attn: Visa Section
2900 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
You have already paid the processing fee, and they will look you up by last name so you don't need to include other information. They said they were able to do this overnight once the visa is approved. Today is Thursday. I will FedEx them so they get there Friday. They said they will issue the sticker Monday and mail Tuesday, or Wednesday by the latest. Plenty of time to catch our flight on Sunday, phew!
Alternatively, you can apply through the mail, filling out these two forms and sending passports, photos, and all documentation by mail. This takes 2-3 months, during which time you won't have your passport, so electronic is preferred.
- Visa application for person with offer of employment:
- Visa application for accompanying spouse:
Moving a dog to Sweden
To bring your dog to Sweden, you need this info:
The US is considered a "listed third country"- follow those regulations.
Note that you need an international ISO approved microchip... the one Lodi already had isn't one. Must be a 15 digit microchip, scanning at 134.2 kHz... see more info here.
The new international standard Home Again microchip cost $34.
The microchip must be done first, as the number needs to be listed on all vaccination records.
You should put the manufacturer of the chip on the dog's collar so if he is lost, they can look in the correct database for identifying information.
If the dog currently has a non-ISO standard microchip, you have two options:
1. Buy/borrow your own scanner that can read it, and bring it with you to Sweden (& for all future EC border crossings)
2. Get an ISO standard chip.
Info from Karin, the lovely and very helpful woman at the Swedish Board of Agriculture Customer Service (+46- 771 - 223 223, press 7 for English)
If the dog was never microchipped, he must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies, wait 120 days, send sample to lab.
However, if the dog has an old non-ISO chip and current rabies vaccination, you may give him a new microchip and then draw the sample for rabies the same day. Make sure you implant the chip before drawing the sample. The vet must note both the old and new chip number and date of implantation.
Because Lodi is almost due for his booster, we will be implanting the new chip, then drawing the sample, then giving him his booster. This way, if his levels are not sufficient from his antibody test, we will be that much closer to the 120 days.
Labs to send for rabies test (The website lists only labs in the EU).
List of EC labs to send rabies:
However, Karin said that you may use a lab in the US that meets USDA and veterinary organization standards. As Karin said, "that means they are following the world standards." Further, she said that the customs office will not be checking to see if the lab is an approved lab, only if it were to go to further investigation.
Apparently this lab in Kansas meets the standards.
They will need 2mL of serum, sent overnight via FedEx, packed on ice for shipping (should arrive between Monday & Friday).
Cost for rabies FAVN titer test: $50 for vet to do exam & draw blood; they gave me the shipping box for free; $60 to overnight the package to Kansas (maybe look for a smaller box that can contain an ice pack, the vial is tiny but the box was about 8" x 8" so it was expensive); $54 for Kansas to run the test & send results to the vet. Total: $164.
You can call the Kansas lab (785-532-4483) and give them your pet's microchip number, & they will look up the status. (However, they can only tell you whether the test was complete, not whether he passed; they send that info to your vet). They completed the test in one month and mailed the results to our vet. Allow 6 weeks for this process.
Regarding the point of entry, although the checklist says "the animal must enter via one of the border inspection posts in Gothenburg or Stockholm," Karin said it was OK to fly into Copenhagen and then take the train or whatever. This means the dog will be declared to Danish customs, and then to Swedish customs (if driving, have to stop; if on the train, only present papers if asked by customs officials). Karin said, "We in Sweden have the most difficult rules of import of dogs; they have the tapeworm in Denmark, and let you enter 21 days after the rabies vaccination. So if it's OK in Sweden, it's definitely OK in Denmark."
See the Jordbruks Verket publication "Import into Sweden of Cats and Dogs" for a checklist.
This EC page has the vet form available for download directly (the Swedish page makes you order it by mail):
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.print.htm
The US is considered a "listed third country"- follow those regulations.
Note that you need an international ISO approved microchip... the one Lodi already had isn't one. Must be a 15 digit microchip, scanning at 134.2 kHz... see more info here.
The new international standard Home Again microchip cost $34.
The microchip must be done first, as the number needs to be listed on all vaccination records.
You should put the manufacturer of the chip on the dog's collar so if he is lost, they can look in the correct database for identifying information.
If the dog currently has a non-ISO standard microchip, you have two options:
1. Buy/borrow your own scanner that can read it, and bring it with you to Sweden (& for all future EC border crossings)
2. Get an ISO standard chip.
Info from Karin, the lovely and very helpful woman at the Swedish Board of Agriculture Customer Service (+46- 771 - 223 223, press 7 for English)
If the dog was never microchipped, he must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies, wait 120 days, send sample to lab.
However, if the dog has an old non-ISO chip and current rabies vaccination, you may give him a new microchip and then draw the sample for rabies the same day. Make sure you implant the chip before drawing the sample. The vet must note both the old and new chip number and date of implantation.
Because Lodi is almost due for his booster, we will be implanting the new chip, then drawing the sample, then giving him his booster. This way, if his levels are not sufficient from his antibody test, we will be that much closer to the 120 days.
Labs to send for rabies test (The website lists only labs in the EU).
List of EC labs to send rabies:
However, Karin said that you may use a lab in the US that meets USDA and veterinary organization standards. As Karin said, "that means they are following the world standards." Further, she said that the customs office will not be checking to see if the lab is an approved lab, only if it were to go to further investigation.
Apparently this lab in Kansas meets the standards.
They will need 2mL of serum, sent overnight via FedEx, packed on ice for shipping (should arrive between Monday & Friday).
Cost for rabies FAVN titer test: $50 for vet to do exam & draw blood; they gave me the shipping box for free; $60 to overnight the package to Kansas (maybe look for a smaller box that can contain an ice pack, the vial is tiny but the box was about 8" x 8" so it was expensive); $54 for Kansas to run the test & send results to the vet. Total: $164.
You can call the Kansas lab (785-532-4483) and give them your pet's microchip number, & they will look up the status. (However, they can only tell you whether the test was complete, not whether he passed; they send that info to your vet). They completed the test in one month and mailed the results to our vet. Allow 6 weeks for this process.
Regarding the point of entry, although the checklist says "the animal must enter via one of the border inspection posts in Gothenburg or Stockholm," Karin said it was OK to fly into Copenhagen and then take the train or whatever. This means the dog will be declared to Danish customs, and then to Swedish customs (if driving, have to stop; if on the train, only present papers if asked by customs officials). Karin said, "We in Sweden have the most difficult rules of import of dogs; they have the tapeworm in Denmark, and let you enter 21 days after the rabies vaccination. So if it's OK in Sweden, it's definitely OK in Denmark."
See the Jordbruks Verket publication "Import into Sweden of Cats and Dogs" for a checklist.
This EC page has the vet form available for download directly (the Swedish page makes you order it by mail):
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.print.htm
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