Swedish Bank Accounts vs Me
It has almost been one month since I have officially called Sweden my home. If anyone knows me, they know that I am a very persistent person, and nothing stands between me and finding a way how to get something. But Sweden might be winning at this point in the game. This article is about my dilemma with Swedish banks, but let me walk you through how this “living abroad” process works.
When one acquires a work and resident visa for Sweden, they are allowed to obviously work and live until their visa expires or they are allowed to renew. My visa is for two years and is renewable (on a sambo visa). Like moving anywhere in America or wherever your country of origin may be, you are required to register with the tax offices in your area, have a driver’s license or identification, or even switch banks to fit your needs. It is the same when moving to another country, only you have to go through procedures a local may never experience.
The Tax Number
First of all, you get a tax number, referred to as a “personnumber.” This is easy if you have already been accepted for the visa. You just go to the tax office (Skatteverket) and register yourself where you live (if you have an apartment by then…) and they tell you 4-6 weeks processing time, which usually ends up being 7 days until you receive your tax number.
Swedish Identify Card
Next step, Swedish Identity card. Like I mentioned in my previous blog post,“Mug Shot Swedish ID Cards,” you must have this to do anything here in Sweden. To get this, you pay $60 (400 SEK) and then go to a different tax office with your paid receipt and apply for the ID. This comes in 2-4 weeks. When you get this, you can finally open a bank account, which brings me to my next topic…
How to get a freaking bank account
I have the apartment, I have the job to pay for the apartment, but I am not allowed to open a bank account to get the money from my job to pay for my apartment. It has been almost one month since I moved here, 25 days since I found a job, 11 days since I found an apartment and 24 days since I applied for my ID card. What’s the hold-up? Oh, they are processing my card through GREECE since that is where I picked up my visa.
Swedbank, SEB, Nordea, and Handselbank will not give me a bank account until I have my Swedish ID card in my hand. I have the paperwork with my picture to show them now, I have a job certificate and a passport with my work visa, but obviously, that is not good enough for them to open an account that I still have to pay $40 bucks for them to open!!
