Coordination numbers
A coordination number is a unique identifier that the Swedish Tax Agency can assign to an individual who has never been listed in the Population Register. You can apply for a coordination number yourself. You also need to book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre.
Have you received an identity check notice?
If the Swedish Tax Agency receives a coordination number request, we will send you a notice about attending an identity check. In certain circumstances, an identity check can be carried out by a Swedish embassy. The notice will tell you what you need to do.
In some cases, you can be assigned a coordination number without having applied for one
Are you planning to live in Sweden for at least one year?
If you are moving to Sweden and plan to live here for one year or more, you need to notify us of your move instead of applying for a coordination number. If you already have a coordination number, and you are later registered as living in Sweden, your coordination number will be replaced with a personal identity number.
Applying for a coordination number yourself
You can apply for a coordination number yourself if you are planning to stay in Sweden for less than one year. You must have a connection to Sweden and be able to show that you need a coordination number.
If you use our e-service, the Swedish Tax Agency will receive your application directly. You also need to book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre.
Use our "Coordination number" e-service
You can use our e-service to:
- apply for a coordination number
- make a coordination number reactivation application
- request changes or corrections to your details
- request a change to the identity level of your coordination number
- notify us if your contact address changes
The e-service is available in English and Swedish.
Register for preliminary tax (A-tax) or apply for SINK if you are going to work in Sweden
If you are going to work in Sweden for less than one year, you need to register for preliminary A-tax, or to apply for special income tax for non-residents (“SINK). Your employer can apply for SINK on your behalf. If your employer is based outside Sweden, in exceptional circumstances, you may not need to apply for SINK.
Book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre
You must visit a service centre in person for an identity check before the Swedish Tax Agency can issue you with a coordination number. This also applies if you have received an identity check notice.
Book an appointment: moving to Sweden and coordination numbers (National Government Service Centre)
If you apply for a coordination number by filling in a printed form, you can hand it in at the service centre you visit for an identity check.
Bring a proof of identity document to the service centre
When you come in for an identity check, you must hand over your identity documentation so that we can check its validity. You need to bring the following:
- your passport or national identity card – or other document showing your identity
- your residence permit card (if you have a Swedish residence permit)
The service administrator will check your identity and examine your documents. Your documents will be returned to you straight away. If you cannot show a valid proof of identity document, you can prove your identity by providing other documentation. The Swedish Tax Agency will then assess whether this documentation confirms your identity.
Change or correct details
You can use our “Coordination number” e-service to update your details – for example, if you change your name or citizenship. You must also book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre and show documents that confirm your identity and the new details. You must also do this if you wish to request a change in the identity level of your coordination number.
Book an appointment: moving to Sweden and coordination numbers (National Government Service Centre)
Changing your contact address
If you have a coordination number and your contact address changes, you must inform the Swedish Tax Agency of your new address using our “Coordination number” e-service. You don't need to book an appointment for an identity check if you report a change of address.
In some cases, you can be assigned a coordination number without having applied for one
A coordination number can be assigned to you in the following circumstances:
- if you apply for F-tax approval
- at the request of a public authority, university or college
If the Swedish Tax Agency receives a coordination number request, we will send you a notice about attending an identity check. We will send this notice to the contact address registered for you with the party requesting the coordination number.
The notice will state the final date by which you must visit a service centre. You need to book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre. In certain circumstances, an identity check can be carried out by a passport-issuing agency such as an embassy.
Book an appointment: moving to Sweden and coordination numbers (National Government Service Centre)
Applying for a coordination number for a child
If a child needs a coordination number and has a connection to Sweden, the child’s parents or guardians can submit a joint application. You can apply for a coordination number using our e-service or by filling in an application form (form SKV 7540, in Swedish).
Applying for a Swedish passport for your child
As the parent or guardian of a child with Swedish citizenship, you can apply for a Swedish passport for them at a Swedish embassy or a passport-issuing police station in Sweden.
If the child is not currently registered in Sweden, or has never been (i.e., does not have a personal identity number), the passport authority may request a coordination number from the Swedish Tax Agency if it is needed. If the passport office determines that the child is entitled to a Swedish passport, it will request a coordination number for the child.
Reactivating a coordination number
A coordination number that has been assigned and is in current use is referred to as an active coordination number. In certain cases, a coordination number that is not currently in use must be marked as inactive. After five years, this happens automatically.
The Swedish Tax Agency can reactivate an inactive coordination number if it is needed. You need to visit a service centre in person for an identity check.
Active and inactive coordination numbers
Active coordination numbers
An active coordination number enables access to the following details:
- name
- date of birth
- nationality
- place of birth
- contact address
- identity level associated with the coordination number
The three identity levels are as follows:
- confirmed
- probable
- uncertain
The following details are also provided:
- date of issue
- preliminary date of registration as inactive
- reactivation date
When you are assigned a coordination number, it remains active for five years. It can be reactivated after this period if you still need it.
When a person who has a coordination number dies, the Swedish Tax Agency registers the date of death.
Inactive coordination number
If you leave Sweden and will not have any further contact with Swedish public authorities, you should notify the Swedish Tax Agency. We will then determine whether your coordination number should be marked as inactive.
Reactivating a coordination number
When you make a coordination number reactivation request, you need to provide details of your connection to Sweden and why you need a coordination number. Please use our “Coordination number” e-service. The e-service is available in English and Swedish. You must also book an appointment for an identity check at a service centre and provide a current contact address.
Coordination number reactivation requests made by government agencies
If a government agency needs a coordination number to remain active after a five-year period, it must submit a reactivation request to the Swedish Tax Agency. You will need to show that agency your identity documents and notify them of your current contact address.
In most cases, you will need to visit a state service centre in person for an identity check. If so, we will notify you by post.
Registration of coordination numbers: three identity levels
The Swedish Tax Agency marks coordination numbers with one of the following three possible identity levels: confirmed, probable or uncertain. If you apply yourself, you must prove your identity in order to be assigned a coordination number.
Three identity levels for coordination numbers
Coordination numbers with identity level “confirmed”
In order to be assigned a coordination number with the identity level “confirmed”, you must prove your identity in a personal visit to the Swedish Tax Agency, or the official passport authority in another country, if the request comes from a public authority. When you apply for a Swedish passport, you must prove your identity when you visit a passport office.
Coordination numbers with identity level “probable”
If you cannot prove your identity by visiting a Swedish state service centre in person and providing a valid proof of identity document, the Swedish Tax Agency must assess whether your identity is probable on the basis of other documentation you have provided. Please note: this only applies if a public authority, university or college has requested a coordination number for you.
Coordination numbers with identity level “uncertain”
In exceptional cases, the Swedish Tax Agency can assign a coordination number to someone whose identity is uncertain. In such cases, the public authority that has requested a coordination number must provide us with all of the personal data available for the person in question. The Swedish Tax Agency will then make an identity assessment on the basis of the details provided.
Identity level: coordination number issued before 1 September 2023 and not marked as inactive
If you have applied for a coordination number yourself
If you applied for a coordination number yourself and were assigned one before 1 September 2023, its identity level will automatically be marked as confirmed. This is the case as long as your coordination number is not marked as inactive.
If you have been assigned a coordination number
If you were assigned a coordination number at the request of a public authority, university or college before 1 September 2023, its identity level will automatically be registered as probable or uncertain. This depends on whether or not your identity had been proved when we issued your coordination number, or the last time we reactivated it.
How coordination numbers are structured
Coordination numbers consist of 10 digits, like personal identity numbers. The second to last digit is an odd number if your legal gender is male, and an even number if your legal gender is female. The first six digits are your birth date, with 60 added to the day on which you were born.
Here's how a coordination number is structured
Date of birth
The first six digits are your birth date (year, month, day), with 60 added to the day on which you were born.
Individual number
Your individual number consists of three digits. The third digit will be an odd number if your legal gender is male, and an even number if your legal gender is female. There is a hyphen (-) between your date of birth and your individual number.
Control digit
The last digit of your coordination number is a control number. This digit is determined automatically on the basis of your date of birth and individual number.
Example
A man was born on 3 October 1970. His date of birth is 701003 (the last two digits, 03, represent the day on which he was born). For his coordination number, 60 is added to the day on which he was born. The digits 03 are therefore replaced by 63.
This man's individual number is 239, and his control digit is 1.
This man's complete coordination number will be:
701063-2391
Coordination number, individual application: 4 weeks
If you apply for a coordination number, it can take up to 4 weeks for your case to be assigned to an administrator.
Coordination number request made by an embassy, consulate or passport authority in Sweden (for passport purposes): 5 weeks
If an embassy, consulate or passport authority in Sweden requests a coordination number for passport purposes, it will take about 5 weeks for your case to be assigned to an administrator.
Coordination number request made by a government agency: 3 weeks
If a government agency requests a coordination number, it will take about 3 weeks for the case to be assigned to an administrator. It can then take up to 6 more weeks to notify you.
Coordination number, changes to personal data: 7 weeks
If you apply for changes to be made to the personal data linked to your coordination number, it will take about 7 weeks for the case to be assigned to an administrator.
Coordination number, new contact address: 4 weeks
If you notify us that you have a new contact address, it will take about 4 weeks for your case to be assigned to an administrator.
Coordination numbers, reactivation request made by an individual: 4 weeks
If you make a coordination number reactivation request, it can take up to 4 weeks for your case to be assigned to an administrator.
Coordination number, reactivation request made by a government agency: 3 weeks
If a government agency makes a coordination number reactivation request, it can take up to 3 weeks for the case to be assigned to an administrator. It can then take up to 6 more weeks to notify you.