How to Rent an Apartment Without a Swedish Personal Number

Can you rent an apartment without a Swedish personal identity number? The short answer is yes: to rent an apartment without a Swedish personal number is entirely possible under Swedish tenancy law, but private and municipal landlords usually require alternative documentation to verify your identity and financial stability.

Swedish rental legislation, regulated in Chapter 12 of the Land Code (Jordabalken), does not require a tenant to hold a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) to enter into a valid lease agreement. However, standard automated credit check systems in Sweden rely heavily on the 10- or 12-digit national identity number. When you lack this number, you must provide manual proof of identity and creditworthiness.

Alternative proof of identity when renting

When you apply for housing without a Swedish personal identity number, landlords will require valid alternative documentation:

• Valid passport or national ID card: A passport from an EU/EEA country or a third country establishes your legal identity.
• Coordination number (samordningsnummer): Issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) for individuals who are not registered in the Swedish population register, a coordination number helps some landlords track agreements in their systems.
• Employment contract and income documentation: An official employment contract detailing your role, salary, and employment type, along with recent payslips or bank account statements showing regular income.
• Bank statements and savings: If you do not yet have a Swedish job, recent statements showing liquid savings can demonstrate your ability to cover rent on time.

According to guidance from Hyresgästföreningen, landlords have the legal right to set objective financial requirements for prospective tenants, but those requirements must be applied consistently and objectively.

Step-by-step: How to rent an apartment without a Swedish personal number

1. Prepare a complete documentation portfolio: Gather certified copies of your passport, work contract, recent bank statements, and any references from prior landlords abroad or in Sweden. Having everything compiled into a tidy PDF makes manual processing much faster for property managers.
2. Contact municipal housing queues manually: While several municipal housing waiting lists use automated BankID logins, most municipal housing agencies offer manual application forms or dedicated service desks for applicants without a personal identity number.
3. Target private landlords and sublets: Private housing companies and individuals renting out private homes under the Private Rental Act (privatuthyrningslagen) often process applications manually and are accustomed to international workers, expats, and students.
4. Offer a rent deposit or guarantor: Landlords who cannot run an automated credit report through UC or Creditsafe frequently accept an increased deposit (often 1–3 months of rent) or a Swedish resident guarantor (borgensman) as security.
5. Inspect the property and verify the lease: Never transfer any deposit before you have inspected the property and signed a written lease agreement complying with Swedish tenancy law under Jordabalken.

Legal rights and protections under Swedish tenancy law

Even if you sign a tenancy agreement using a foreign passport number or coordination number, all mandatory tenant protections in Chapter 12 of the Land Code apply in full. This includes rules on rent caps based on utility value (bruksvärdesprincipen) for first-hand leases, maintenance standards, and formal termination periods. Landlords cannot legally charge unregulated surplus rents or eliminate statutory protections simply because the tenant is not yet registered in the Swedish population register. If a dispute regarding rent levels or contract terms arises, you have the right to turn to the regional Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden) for formal dispute resolution.