When you receive your personal identity number

Open a bank account

Once you have a personal identity number you can open a bank account. You need a bank account to, for example, receive your wages and pay your bills.

To open a bank account with a Swedish bank, you need to be able to identify yourself and answer questions about why you need the account. The bank needs to know where your money comes from and how you will use banking services.

Contact a bank and explain that you would like to open a bank account. If you need to make an appointment for a meeting at the bank, you can take someone with you as an interpreter.

Obtaining e-ID

Many digital services require you to identify yourself electronically. An e-ID is an electronic identity document. You can use an e-ID to securely identify yourself on websites or in apps.

For example, you can use an e-ID to:

• log in to 1177.se;
  
• log in to your internet bank;
  
• identify yourself when dealing with government agencies or businesses; or
  
• pay your bills online.

There are currently three e-IDs to choose from:

• BankID, which can be ordered from your bank.
  
• Freja+, which you can order by downloading the app Freja eID.
  
• AB Svenska Pass, which you can order by applying for an ID card from the Swedish Tax Agency.

You can use the same e-ID for many online services, but not all. So, it is not certain that the e-ID you have chosen can be used in all services.

Getting a Swedish telephone number

To get a Swedish telephone number, you need to have a Swedish SIM card in your mobile phone. A SIM card allows you to make calls, send text messages and use the internet.

There are two ways to get a SIM card:

• You can buy a prepaid SIM card. With a prepaid SIM, you pay as you go. You decide how much money you want on the card when you buy it. You can make calls, send text messages and use the internet for the money on the card, then top it up later.
• You can buy a subscription service. This means that you sign a contract with a mobile operator. The contract states how much you pay for a certain number of calls, text messages and GBs of internet use. You will then receive a bill each month.

You need to prove your identity to buy a prepaid SIM card or sign a mobile subscription. You can use your ID card, passport or BankID.

Send and receive money using your mobile phone

You can send and receive money on your mobile phone using the Swish payment app. You can transfer money and pay individuals and businesses.

To use Swish, you need a bank account, a BankID and a Swedish telephone number. Swish is free of charge.

This is how to get Swish:

1. Download the Swish app to your mobile phone.
   
2. Download the BankID app. You can apply to your bank for BankID.
   
3. Log in to your internet bank and connect your telephone number and bank account to Swish.
   
4. Open the Swish app and connect your telephone number.

The County Administrative Board in Dalarna has produced a brochure about payment services. In it you can read about how to pay with a card, how to log in to online banking services, and about BankID.