Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for a Passport in Sweden
Applying for a Swedish passport is an important step for Swedish citizens who plan to travel abroad for holidays, education, employment, business or family visits. A Swedish passport is an official identity and travel document that confirms the holder’s Swedish citizenship and allows international travel, subject to the entry requirements of the destination country.
In Sweden, passports are issued through the Swedish Police Authority. Applicants generally need to book an appointment, present an accepted physical identity document, pay the applicable fee and attend a passport office in person. A photograph and, where required, fingerprints are taken during the application process.
Understanding how to apply for a passport in Sweden can help applicants prepare the necessary documents, avoid common mistakes and plan around passport processing times.
This guide explains Swedish passport eligibility, required documents, the application process, passport fees, renewal procedures, children’s passports, lost or stolen passports, applications from abroad, common mistakes, practical case studies and frequently asked questions.
What Is a Swedish Passport?
A Swedish passport is an official travel document issued to Swedish citizens by the Swedish Police Authority. It confirms the holder’s identity and citizenship and is used for international travel.
A Swedish passport is different from a Swedish national identity card. Although both documents can serve as identification, they have different purposes and travel uses.
Only Swedish citizens can apply for a Swedish passport. Holding a Swedish residence permit or living in Sweden does not, by itself, make someone eligible for a Swedish passport.
A valid passport also does not automatically guarantee entry into another country. Travellers must check the destination’s visa rules, passport-validity requirements, transit regulations and electronic travel authorisation requirements before departure.
Who Can Apply for a Swedish Passport?
Swedish citizens who meet the relevant requirements can apply for a passport through the Swedish Police Authority or, where available, through an authorised Swedish embassy or consulate abroad.
A passport application may be necessary in several circumstances:
- Applying for a passport for the first time.
- Renewing an expired passport.
- Replacing a passport that is close to expiry.
- Replacing a lost or stolen passport.
- Replacing a damaged passport.
- Applying for a child’s first passport or renewal.
- Obtaining a new passport following a change in personal details, where applicable.
The exact requirements may depend on the applicant’s age, identity documents, citizenship records and whether the application is submitted in Sweden or abroad.
Documents Required for a Swedish Passport Application
Preparing the correct documents before the appointment can help make the application process smoother.
For a standard application in Sweden, applicants should generally prepare:
- A valid physical Swedish identity document accepted by the Police Authority.
- Their existing passport, if it is still valid.
- The required passport application fee.
- Any additional documents requested for their specific circumstances.
- Relevant guardianship and consent documents for a child’s application.
Accepted identification may include a valid Swedish passport, Swedish national identity card, Swedish driving licence or certain other officially recognised identity documents.
A digital identification service displayed on a phone should not be assumed to replace the physical identity document required at the passport office.
Applicants who do not have valid identification should check the Police Authority’s official identity-verification procedures before attending their appointment. Additional evidence of identity or Swedish citizenship may be required in some circumstances, particularly for applicants applying from abroad.
How to Apply for a Passport in Sweden: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before booking an appointment, confirm that you are a Swedish citizen and eligible to apply for a Swedish passport.
If your citizenship or identity information requires further verification, the authorities may request additional documents or checks.
For a child’s passport, confirm the child’s identity and establish who has legal guardianship. The required consent from all legal guardians must also be arranged.
Step 2: Prepare Your Identification Documents
Make sure you have an accepted physical Swedish identity document for your appointment.
If you have a valid Swedish passport, bring it with you. A Swedish national identity card or driving licence may also be accepted, subject to the applicable requirements.
If your identification document has expired, been lost or been stolen, check the official procedure for verifying your identity before attending.
Applicants living abroad may need additional evidence of Swedish citizenship or identity, depending on their circumstances.
Step 3: Book a Passport Appointment
Arrange an appointment at a Swedish Police Authority passport office.
Appointments can generally be booked through the Police Authority’s online service. Electronic identification, such as BankID or Freja eID+, may be required to access the booking service. Applicants who cannot use electronic identification should check the Police Authority’s alternative booking instructions.
Appointment availability varies by location. If your preferred office has no suitable appointments, check other passport offices.
All applicants, including children, must attend the passport office in person.
Step 4: Check the Passport Fee
Applicants must pay the applicable fee for their passport application.
The standard passport fee in Sweden has been listed as SEK 500. Fees can change, so verify the current amount through the Swedish Police Authority before your appointment.
A provisional passport may be available in certain urgent situations, subject to separate eligibility rules and fees. Check whether the document is suitable for your destination before relying on this option.
Step 5: Attend Your Appointment in Person
Arrive at the passport office at your scheduled time with your physical identification, existing passport if applicable, and any additional required documents.
During the appointment, the passport officer will verify your identity and process your application. The procedure generally includes:
- Presenting your identification.
- Providing and confirming application information.
- Paying the applicable fee.
- Having your photograph taken.
- Providing fingerprints where required.
- Reviewing your personal details.
- Completing the necessary application formalities.
For a standard application in Sweden, a separate passport photograph is generally unnecessary because the photograph is taken at the passport office.
Step 6: Complete the Biometric Registration Process
Swedish passports contain biometric information used to help verify the passport holder’s identity.
The application process normally includes taking a photograph and collecting fingerprints where required. Fingerprint requirements depend on the applicant’s age and the applicable rules. For example, children under six years of age are exempt from fingerprint collection.
Follow the passport officer’s instructions and ensure your personal details are correct before completing the application.
Step 7: Check Your Personal Information
Review the information recorded during the application carefully.
Pay particular attention to:
- Your full legal name.
- The spelling of your name.
- Your date of birth.
- Your identity information.
- Any other personal details recorded for the passport.
Incorrect details can create problems when booking flights, applying for visas or passing through immigration checks.
If you have recently changed your name or other personal information, ask the Police Authority whether additional documentation is required.
Step 8: Wait for Your Passport to Be Issued
After the application has been approved, the passport is produced and made available for collection according to the arrangements selected during the application.
The Swedish Police Authority has indicated that a standard passport is usually ready in approximately six working days after approval. This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Additional checks, requests for information and periods of high demand may affect the timeline.
Apply well before your planned departure rather than relying on the shortest estimated processing time.
Step 9: Collect Your Swedish Passport
Follow the collection instructions provided during the application process. You will generally need to collect the passport in person.
Bring any required identification or application receipt and follow the passport office’s instructions. If your previous passport remains valid, you may need to surrender it when collecting the new one.
Rules for collecting a child’s passport may differ from those for an adult. Confirm the applicable requirements with the Police Authority rather than assuming another adult can collect a passport on your behalf.
Step 10: Check Your Passport Before Travelling
After collecting your passport, check the following details:
- Full name and spelling.
- Date of birth.
- Photograph.
- Passport number.
- Expiry date.
Contact the issuing authority if you notice an error.
Before travelling, also check your destination’s entry requirements. Some countries require several months of remaining passport validity, a visa or an electronic travel authorisation.
How to Renew a Swedish Passport
Swedish citizens can apply for a new passport before their existing passport expires. Renewing early is particularly important when international travel is planned.
The renewal process generally involves:
- Checking the expiry date of your current passport.
- Booking a passport appointment.
- Preparing accepted physical identification.
- Bringing your current passport if it is still valid.
- Paying the current application fee.
- Attending the appointment in person.
- Completing the required photograph and fingerprint procedures.
- Collecting the new passport.
- Checking the new passport details and validity.
A standard Swedish passport renewal is not completed entirely online. Applicants must attend the relevant appointment in person.
If your passport has been lost or stolen, follow the reporting and replacement procedures rather than treating the case as a routine renewal.
How to Apply for a Swedish Passport for a Child
Swedish citizens under 18 can apply for their own passports, subject to the rules for minors. There is no minimum age for a child to receive a passport, but additional consent and identification requirements apply.
Parents or legal guardians should prepare the child’s identity information and arrange an appointment. The child must attend the appointment in person.
All legal guardians must consent to a child’s passport application. Where two people share legal guardianship, both must provide consent. Consent may be provided through the Police Authority’s online service or the applicable paper procedure, depending on the circumstances.
Check the official requirements for consent, signatures and validity periods before the appointment.
Swedish passport validity depends on the child’s age:
- Children under 12: generally three years.
- Children aged 12 and older: generally five years.
- Adults: generally five years.
Parents should check the passport expiry date well before booking international travel because destination countries may impose their own passport-validity requirements.
What to Do If Your Swedish Passport Is Lost or Stolen
Losing a passport can be stressful, particularly if you are preparing to travel.
If your Swedish passport is lost or stolen in Sweden, report it to the police. The passport will be blocked and cannot be used as a valid travel document. You can then follow the official replacement procedure.
If you later find a passport that has already been blocked or cancelled, do not assume it can be used for travel. Contact the authorities for instructions.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad, contact the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate. It can explain the available replacement or emergency travel-document options and the supporting documents required.
How to Apply for a Swedish Passport While Living Abroad
Swedish citizens living abroad may be able to apply for a passport through a Swedish embassy or another authorised diplomatic mission that provides passport services.
The process can differ from an application made at a passport office in Sweden. Applicants may need to book an appointment, provide identification, establish Swedish citizenship, present an existing passport and submit additional supporting documents.
Documents that may be relevant include:
- An existing Swedish passport, if available.
- Accepted identification.
- Evidence of Swedish citizenship, where requested.
- Additional personal or family documents for special cases.
- Payment of the applicable fee.
Before booking, consult the official website of the Swedish embassy or consulate responsible for your country. Fees, appointment availability, processing times and collection arrangements may differ from those in Sweden.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Swedish Passport?
For a routine application in Sweden, a Swedish passport is generally expected to be ready in approximately six working days after the application has been approved.
The actual timeline can vary. Delays may occur because of:
- Missing or invalid identification.
- Questions about identity or citizenship.
- Incomplete application information.
- Additional verification requirements.
- High demand for appointments or passport production.
- Special circumstances involving a child’s application.
- Different procedures for applications submitted abroad.
Applicants with upcoming travel should check current official guidance and leave sufficient time for both the appointment and passport collection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Swedish Passport
1. Applying Too Late
Appointments and passport production take time. Apply well before your departure date.
2. Bringing Only Digital Identification
Do not assume that identification displayed on a mobile phone will replace the required physical ID document. Check the accepted identification rules in advance.
3. Forgetting Your Existing Passport
Bring your current passport if it is still valid and follow the instructions provided for the application and collection process.
4. Missing Parental Consent
For a child’s application, make sure all legal guardians have provided the required consent and that it meets the official rules.
5. Overlooking Incorrect Personal Details
Carefully review your name, date of birth and other information before finalising the application.
6. Assuming Every Application Takes the Same Time
Extra verification, missing documents and individual circumstances can affect processing times.
7. Ignoring Destination-Country Requirements
A valid Swedish passport does not automatically provide entry to every country. Check visa rules, passport-validity requirements and other travel conditions before departure.
Case Studies: Swedish Passport Application Examples
The following fictional examples illustrate common situations applicants may encounter. They are for general guidance and do not guarantee a particular outcome.
Case Study 1: First-Time Adult Applicant
Erik is a Swedish citizen preparing for his first international business trip. He checks the application requirements, books an appointment and prepares his physical Swedish identification.
At the passport office, he completes the application, pays the applicable fee and provides the required biometric information. When the passport is ready, he collects it and checks the personal details.
Lesson: First-time applicants should prepare their documents and arrange an appointment well before travelling.
Case Study 2: Renewing a Passport Before a Holiday
Anna discovers that her passport will expire a few months before a planned holiday. Rather than waiting until the last few weeks, she books an appointment early.
She brings her identification and current passport, completes the application and collects the replacement document when it is ready.
Lesson: Early renewal leaves more time to manage unexpected delays and meet destination-country passport-validity requirements.
Case Study 3: Applying for a Child’s Passport
A family preparing for an international trip realises that their child needs a passport. The parents arrange an appointment, check the child’s identity information and obtain consent from all legal guardians.
The child attends the appointment, and the family follows the official instructions for collection.
Lesson: Parents should confirm consent requirements and passport validity before finalising travel arrangements.
Case Study 4: A Swedish Citizen Living Abroad
Sofia lives outside Sweden and needs to renew her passport. She checks the website of the Swedish embassy or consulate responsible for her country instead of assuming the procedure is identical to an application in Sweden.
She prepares the required documents, books the appropriate appointment and follows the mission’s instructions for fees and collection.
Lesson: Swedish citizens abroad should check local embassy or consulate procedures because requirements and processing times can differ.
Swedish Passport Application Checklist
Before the Appointment
- Confirm that you are eligible for a Swedish passport.
- Book an appointment at the appropriate passport office or authorised mission.
- Prepare accepted physical identification.
- Bring your existing passport if it is still valid.
- Check the current application fee.
- Prepare any additional documents relevant to your circumstances.
- Arrange the required consent for a child’s application.
During the Application
- Attend the appointment in person.
- Present the required identification.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Complete the photograph and fingerprint procedures where required.
- Review your personal information carefully.
- Keep the application receipt and collection instructions.
After Applying
- Follow the instructions for checking passport readiness.
- Collect the passport according to the official procedure.
- Verify your name, date of birth and other details.
- Check the expiry date.
- Confirm the destination’s visa and entry requirements.
- Store your passport securely.
FAQs
1. How do I apply for a passport in Sweden?
You must be a Swedish citizen, arrange an appointment with the Swedish Police Authority, prepare accepted physical identification, pay the applicable fee and attend the appointment in person.
2. Can I apply for a Swedish passport online?
You can generally book your appointment online, but the standard application requires you to attend in person. Your photograph and required biometric information are collected during the process.
3. How much does a Swedish passport cost?
The standard passport fee in Sweden has been listed as SEK 500. Fees may change, so check the Swedish Police Authority’s official website for the current amount before applying.
4. How long does it take to get a Swedish passport?
A routine passport is generally ready in approximately six working days after approval. Additional checks, incomplete information and other circumstances can extend the timeline.
5. Do I need an appointment to apply for a Swedish passport?
Yes. Applicants should arrange an appointment at a Swedish Police Authority passport office before attending.
6. Can a child get a Swedish passport?
Yes. Swedish citizens under 18 can apply for passports. The child must attend the appointment, and all legal guardians must provide the required consent.
7. How long is a Swedish passport valid?
An adult passport is generally valid for five years. A child’s passport is generally valid for three years for children under 12 and five years for children aged 12 and older.
8. What identification do I need for a Swedish passport?
Accepted physical identification may include a valid Swedish passport, Swedish national identity card, Swedish driving licence or certain other officially recognised identity documents. Confirm the current requirements before your appointment.
9. What should I do if my Swedish passport is lost?
Report the loss to the police so the passport can be blocked, then follow the official replacement procedure. If it is lost abroad, contact the nearest Swedish embassy or consulate.
10. Can I apply for a Swedish passport while living abroad?
Yes. Swedish citizens may be able to apply through Swedish embassies or other authorised diplomatic missions that provide passport services. Check the local mission’s requirements, fees and appointment procedures.
11. Can someone else collect my Swedish passport?
Passport collection generally requires the applicant to attend in person. Different rules may apply to children, so check the official collection instructions for your specific case.
12. Can I travel immediately after applying for a Swedish passport?
You should wait until you have received your passport and checked that the details are correct. Allow enough time for processing and confirm your destination’s entry requirements before travelling.
Conclusion
Applying for a Swedish passport is easier to manage when you understand the eligibility rules, prepare the required identification, book an appointment, pay the applicable fee and complete the application in person.
Applications for children, lost or stolen passports and Swedish citizens living abroad may involve additional requirements. Checking the relevant official guidance before applying can help you avoid unnecessary complications.
The best approach is to apply early, review your documents carefully and confirm current requirements with the Swedish Police Authority or the relevant Swedish embassy or consulate. Once your passport is issued, check all personal details and review the entry rules for your destination before travelling.
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