The Swedish Tax Agency is currently experiencing severe delays in their processing time for personal number applications. The official recommendations related to the pandemic are to stay home if you show any Covid-19 related symptoms, which has resulted in employee shortages in connection with illness and a backlog on submitted applications.
At the moment, applications can take as long as 18 weeks to be completed, where the standard processing time we are used to is 2-12 weeks.
We are in an ongoing dialogue with the Swedish Tax Agency, to find a way to set up a fast-track process for corporate representatives like ourselves and we will continue to work towards this goal, as we know it would greatly benefit our clients’ relocating employees.
The delays cause further headaches, as you are not able to submit a social security application until you have a personal number. It could also potentially delay salary payments, if the Swedish payroll department requires new employees to provide a personal number for their administration.
You also need the personal number to be able to apply for a Swedish ID-card and without the ID-card you are not able to get a Mobile Bank ID or use Swish (popular Swedish electronic payment service).
In some parts of Sweden an ID-card may even be required to access the bank’s online services.
We regularly assist relocating employees with setting up a checking account in a Swedish bank, prior to receiving their personal number and collaborate closely with banks around the country. In the last year we have experienced some hurdles in both Stockholm and Malmö, where certain banks have started demanding that an ID-card is provided in connecting with opening an account, as a measure to try and reduce the risk of money laundering.
We are in close communication with the banks in question to ensure we overcome this hurdle and continue to be able to provide this crucial service.
Our thoughts and recommendations for navigating the current situation are the following.
- Have a financial buffer when moving to Sweden, in the event that there are delays in setting up salary payments.
- Utilize international payment services for making payments (such as rent or utilities) from the home country to Sweden.
- Keep up to date with local banking rules and practices, as they may change in accordance with anti-money laundering regulation.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance and advise on this topic.
Thank you!
Your Human Entrance Team