INTEGRATION STAGE (BANKING, ESN Sweden, JOB & LIFE)

Focus: Becoming a fully functional and digital resident.
EU Focus & Non-EU Focus (Identical Steps)

- ID-Kort: After receiving the letter with the Personnummer, make an appointment again at the Skatteverket to have your Swedish identity card (ID-kort) issued. It costs around 400 SEK.

- Bank Account: Go with your ID-kort to a large bank (SEB, Nordea, Swedbank,etc.) to open a current account.

- BankID & Swish: Ask your bank to activate BankID (mobile digital identity) and the Swish app (instant payments with your phone number). Sweden is a completely cashless society.

-ESN Sweden (Erasmus Student Network Sweden)(https://esnsweden.org/) is the central pillar of social integration for international students arriving in Sweden. The national network brings together over 8,000 students and includes 13 local sections active in the largest Swedish university centers (such as Stockholm, Lund, Uppsala or Gothenburg).

- Job & SFI: Sign up for free SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) language courses and search for jobs on platforms like Arbetsförmedlingen or Academic Work .

ID-Kort

After receiving the letter with the Personnummer, make an appointment again at the Skatteverket to have your Swedish identity card (ID-kort) issued. It costs around 400 SEK.

Bank Account

 Go with your ID-kort to a large bank (SEB, Nordea, Swedbank,etc.) to open a current account.

Here is the complete and official list of licensed banks in Sweden that can issue BankID (Swedish digital identity).

Native Digital Banks (No branches, 100% online)

- Skandiabanken: The largest purely digital bank in Sweden, recognized for its excellent app and native BankID integration.

- ICA Banken: The digital bank of the supermarket chain ICA, very popular with students for its low costs and loyalty points on groceries.

- Ikano Bank: A stable digital bank (founded by the family behind IKEA), part of the official BankID consortium.

- Länsförsäkringar Bank: Operates strongly on a regional digital model and is one of the most appreciated banks by local customers for its online services.

Traditional Banks with Full Digital Platforms
These require an initial visit to open the account, but the management is 100% digital and are the main issuers of BankID:

- Handelsbanken
- Swedbank
- SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken)
- Nordea
- Danske Bank (Swedish branch)
- Ålandsbanken (Swedish branch)

All of these options allow the student to activate their Mobile BankID on their phone as soon as the account is opened (provided they have a personnummer).

Native Digital Banks (No branches, 100% onlin

Skandiabanken: The largest purely digital bank in Sweden, recognized for its excellent app and native BankID integration.

ICA Banken: The digital bank of the supermarket chain ICA, very popular with students for its low costs and loyalty points on groceries.

Ikano Bank: A stable digital bank (founded by the family behind IKEA), part of the official BankID consortium.: A stable digital bank (founded by the family behind IKEA), part of the official BankID consortium.

Länsförsäkringar Bank: Operates strongly on a regional digital model and is one of the most appreciated banks by local customers for its online services

Traditional Banks with Full Digital Platforms

These require an initial visit to open the account, but the management is 100% digital and are the main issuers of BankID

Handelsbanken

Currently considered the most flexible bank for expats and international students. Often accepts opening a basic account even before the student receives a personnummer (with some digital restrictions). Offers excellent English-language support.

Swedbank

It has the largest private customer base in Sweden. It is a great option for students thanks to its intuitive mobile app, but tends to require a personal number (personnummer) for full digital access.

SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken)

A very strong bank, strongly oriented towards digital services. It has a special SEB New in Sweden guide for international students, where it clearly explains the required documents.

Nordea

Another Scandinavian giant with branches all over the country, offering dedicated account packages for students. They are very strict with security checks, but stable

Danske Bank (Swedish branch)

Youth and student orientation: Often offers special packages with zero administration fees for students (up to a certain age), plus free debit cards.

Ålandsbanken (Swedish branch)

Servicii Mobile Premium: Deși este o bancă mai mică, platforma lor digitală este extrem de stabilă, curată și rapidă. Oferă integrare perfectă cu BankID și Swish.

ESN Sweden (Erasmus Student Network Sweden)

Is the central pillar of social integration for international students arriving in Sweden. The national network brings together over 8,000 students and includes 13 local sections active in the largest Swedish university centers (such as Stockholm, Lund, Uppsala or Gothenburg).

Flagship Event: ESN Sea Battle

- What it is: The largest cruise-type student event in the Baltic Sea region, organized by ESN Sweden.
- Route: A 3-day trip on the Stockholm – Tallinn – Stockholm route.
- Impact: Brings together thousands of international students from all over Northern Europe for intercultural activities, theme parties and networking.

Membership Card: ESNcard

- Benefits: Offers major national and international discounts on transport (partnerships such as Ryanair, FlixBus), accommodation (Hostelworld) and culture.
- Local utility: Swedish chapters use the card to offer discounted access to local events, student clubs (Nations) and regional trips (e.g. trips to Lapland).

Integration through Local Chapters

- Practical Support: Volunteers (over 200 active mentors) guide students through the first weeks through “Orientation Weeks”. 
- Buddy System: Every international student can get a “buddy” (a local Swedish student) to navigate everyday life, from shopping to bureaucracy.
- Social Projects: Activities beyond parties, such as ecological initiatives (beach clean-ups), sports events or intercultural workshops.