Entry and residence regulations for Sweden: relocation made easy

Moving to Sweden – to the land of a thousand lakes, endless forests and the unique concept of lagom – is a big step that opens up many new perspectives. With its strong digital economy, high quality of life and exemplary work‑life balance, the kingdom is one of the most attractive destinations for German emigrants. As an experienced moving logistics company, KOCH Moving Logistics helps you with your new start in Scandinavia. This guide provides you with a detailed overview of the most important entry and residence rules that apply to German citizens. All comparisons refer to the situation in Germany.

German citizens can stay in Sweden visa‑free for up to 90 days within any 180‑day period, as the kingdom is part of the Schengen Area. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry – this applies to tourist stays, business trips, conference visits, family visits and also for job searches.Unlike in Germany, where the identity card is the standard document for travel within the EU, it is accepted equally in Sweden.

NOTE ON ETIAS: It is expected that by 2026, an ETIAS travel authorisation will be required for visa‑free entry into the Schengen Area. This costs about 20 euros, is valid for three years and is applied for online. In addition, the EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires travellers to register their biometric data upon entry. Unlike in Germany, where such systems are already under discussion, Sweden will implement these European requirements at the same time.

German citizens also enjoy the benefits of EU freedom of movement in Sweden. For a stay of more than three months, you do not need a visa, but you are subject to a registration requirement. You must apply for this at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). A major difference from Germany: registration is not done with a registration authority but directly with the tax office, which in Sweden is also responsible for the population register..

 

You can prepare the registration online, but then you must appear in person at a state service centre. Your identity will be checked and your documents reviewed. You should bring the following documents:

– valid passport or identity card;

– employment contract (as proof of the purpose of stay);

– proof of residential address in Sweden (e.g., rental contract);

– if applicable, birth certificates for accompanying family members.

 

Unlike in Germany, where registration at the citizen's office is usually completed within a few days, expect longer processing times in Sweden of several weeks to three months.

The Swedish identification number is the equivalent of the German tax ID and social security number combined – only with significantly more central importance. Here you must distinguish between two variants:

 

– Personnummer (permanent identification number)

You will receive the personnummer if you intend to live in Sweden for at least one year. It consists of eleven digits (YYMMDD‑XXXX) and is the pivot of everyday Swedish life: it is required for opening bank accounts, mobile phone contracts, renting apartments, memberships and even for online orders. Compared to Germany, where the tax ID and social security number are separate and hardly play a role in everyday life, the personnummer is ubiquitous in Sweden.

 

– Samordningsnummer (temporary identification number)

A samordningsnummer is issued for persons staying in Sweden for less than one year or who do not yet meet all the requirements for a personnummer. It is a temporary solution that enables basic steps such as taking up work and paying taxes.

Since 6 June 2026, significantly stricter rules for naturalisation have applied in Sweden, covering all – even pending – procedures. The required period of residence has been raised from five to eight years (different periods apply for certain groups). In addition, applicants must meet a fixed income threshold: a gross monthly income of about 20,000 SEK (approx. 1,900 euros) from employment, and they may not have received social benefits for more than six months in the last three years. For persons between 16 and 66 years, language skills language skills (at least B1 in reading/listening, A2 in speaking/writing) and knowledge of Swedish society are also required; knowledge can be demonstrated, for example, through SFI courses or a citizenship test to be introduced gradually from 2026. The criterion of an orderly, honourable life is also being tightened – after criminal offences, longer disqualification periods apply, and offences committed outside Sweden are also taken into account.

For German nationals, a significant advantage is that Sweden has allowed dual citizenship since 2007. The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) decides on the application; processing time can currently exceed 30 months due to the high volume of applications. On the German side, since the reform of June 2024, a retention application to the BVA is no longer necessary, as Germany generally accepts multiple nationalities. Naturalisation in Sweden is therefore possible for German emigrants without losing their German passport.