In the initial days at KTH and Stockholm, I was running around the town to get all the formalities covered. The formalities include housing, banking, academic registrations, tax agency registrations, etc. As much as I was looking forward to the dramatic and happening campus life, everyone inevitably has to face these errands. This blog is a list of all the dry paperwork that I did when I reached Stockholm. However, I found the people at all the departments that I visited to be helpful and assisted me to get the job done smoothly.
Registering on SSSB for accommodation:
Although the first year of accommodation is guaranteed by KTH, we are expected to find our own accommodation after the first year. We usually find houses on SSSB.
SSSB is one of the biggest student housing providers in Stockholm. Students should first register on the SSSB website. On the day you register, your waiting credit days start accumulating. Your account needs to be linked to the student union account within 90 days of registration. Although I found a few students having it till 120 days!
The website publishes a list of vacant homes throughout the year. We then apply for them and the house is allocated to the person with the highest waiting credit days. To get maximum credit days, it is recommended to register 90 days before coming to Stockholm and immediately get a student union card and link both the accounts.
The housing rent through SSSB would cost 800 sek lesser than through KTH. Thus it could be a saver if you get SSSB accommodation within the first 6 months!!!
Student Union Card:
A student union card (Mecenat card) is proof that we are studying at KTH. The cards also entitle us for student discounts offered at a number of shops in Sweden (like Stadium, Adidas, McDonald’s, SL transportation pass). We can apply for the student union card only after we have registered for our course. The course registration is usually done on the orientation day of our Master Programme. The annual cost of the card would be 365 sek.
You can apply for the Mecenat card on the THS website or by visiting Nymble.
Course Registration:
Course registration is a prerequisite to attending the course you are admitted to. Once the course registration is done, you will get access to the course materials for that study period. This would also make you eligible to get the student union card. You can register for your course here.
Swedish Personal Identity Number:
The Swedish personal identity no. is a 10 digit number with the first 6 digits as your birth date following the format YYMMDD-XXXX. You would be registered as a resident with a particular address. This is necessary for a student staying in Sweden for more than a year. You need to register in the Swedish population registry at the Swedish tax agency (Skatteverket). They set up a pop-up stall at KTH campus usually 3 weeks after the arrival days. You get your personal number within 2 days.
However, I visited the tax agency within the first week of my arrival with the following documents: Passport, resident permit, welcome letter. I got my personal number within 10 days (They say it usually takes between 2 weeks to 6 weeks).
Swedish Identity Card:
The identity card is proof of your identity, age in Sweden. This is necessary to open a bank account in Sweden. A Swedish personal number is necessary to get the identity card. The cost of the application is 400 sek which has to be paid before applying for an appointment at one of their centers. You can book an appointment here. Once the appointment is fixed, you will be needed to carry your passport, residence permit and proof of payment. You will get an SMS on your mobile number to collect your ID card once it is ready, typically within two weeks.
Banking:
You can find a detailed blog about the banking facilities here.
So, this is the end of what seemed like an endless list of activities that need to be done. However, I felt that people are quite friendly in helping out with any difficulties with the procedure.
Feel free to reach out for any quires on the comment section.
