Registering a newborn in Sweden

1. The birth is registered for you

If your baby is born in a Swedish hospital and at least one parent is registered in Sweden (folkbokförd), the hospital reports the birth to Skatteverket. Your baby is registered and gets a personnummer automatically, usually within a few days.

If neither parent is folkbokförd, or the baby was born abroad, you have to contact Skatteverket yourself. Rules differ, so check their website or call before assuming it happened.

2. Report your baby's name

• Report the first name(s) to Skatteverket within three months of the birth, via their e-service with BankID or on a paper form.
• Both guardians usually need to sign. Swedish rules apply to surnames, so if you want a double or home-country surname, check what is allowed first.

3. Custody and paternity

If you are married, both spouses become guardians automatically. If you are not married, paternity (or parenthood) must be confirmed — usually through the family law office (familjerätten) in your kommun or digitally with BankID. Do this early; it affects custody, inheritance and the other parent's leave.

4. Barnbidrag and parental benefit

• Child allowance (barnbidrag) from Försäkringskassan starts automatically once your baby is registered — you do not need to apply.
• Parental benefit (föräldrapenning) you apply for yourself on Försäkringskassan's site when you take leave.
• Check that your bank account is registered with Försäkringskassan so payments arrive.

5. Passport and citizenship

A baby born in Sweden does not automatically become a Swedish citizen — only if a parent is Swedish. Most expat babies take their parents' nationality, so register the birth and apply for a passport through your home country's embassy or consulate.

Bring the personbevis (extract from the population register) from Skatteverket — most embassies ask for it, sometimes with an apostille.

6. Residence permit or right of residence

• EU/EEA and Swiss families: your baby generally has right of residence through you; no permit is needed.
• Non-EU families: apply to Migrationsverket for your baby's residence permit as soon as you have the passport. Permits usually follow the parent's permit.
• Travelling before the permit is ready can cause problems re-entering Sweden — check with Migrationsverket first.

7. BVC and health care

Choose a child health centre (BVC) — the maternity ward usually helps you pick one, and a nurse makes a home visit in the first weeks. Checks, vaccines and advice are free. Once your baby has a personnummer, they are covered by Swedish health care like you.

Good to know

Rules change, and details depend on your situation. Always confirm with Skatteverket, Försäkringskassan, Migrationsverket and your embassy — this guide is a starting point, not legal advice.