Moving within Scandinavia
Last updated 25 September 2026Rules checked every MondayOfficial sourcesSources & methodology →
Moving within Scandinavia is easier than moving to it, but it is not automatic. Whether you are a Nordic citizen, an EU citizen, a non-EU resident with a permit, a commuter or a student, this guide shows which rules apply to you, the steps in order and who to ask.
Moving within Scandinavia builds on decades of Nordic cooperation, from the agreement of 12 July 1957 that abolished passport checks at the internal Nordic borders to the common Nordic labour market, in force since 1 August 1983. This eight-part guide is for you if you already live in Sweden, Norway or Denmark and are moving or commuting between them – as a Nordic citizen, an EU or EEA citizen, a non-EU resident with a permit, or a student.
Much is simpler than a first move to the region. You report the move in the country you move to, and the population registers inform each other – though Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) also wants a notification if you leave Sweden for more than a year. But permits, tax, social security and your car still follow national rules, and several changed in 2025 and 2026. Start with the profile that fits you.
Who are you?
| You are | What applies | Start with part |
|---|---|---|
| Nordic citizen | No permit; report your move and register in the country you move to | 1, then 2 |
| EU/EEA citizen | Right of residence under EU rules; register if staying over three months in Norway or Denmark | 1, then 6 |
| Non-EU resident with a permit | Your permit does not transfer; apply for a new one before you move | 6 |
| Cross-border commuter | Tax and social security can follow different countries; a new Øresund rule since 1 January 2025 | 3, 4 and 5 |
| Student | Admission on equal terms; student finance from home, on conditions | 8 |
Source: Info Norden, Migrationsverket, UDI, SIRI and Øresunddirekt, read 23 September 2026.
Your move in eight steps
| Step | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check who needs what – a permit, registration or neither (part 1) | Migrationsverket, UDI, SIRI |
| 2 | Report your move and get your new ID number (part 2) | Skatteverket, Skatteetaten, the municipality's Borgerservice (citizen service) in Denmark |
| 3 | Commuting? Check the border rules and carry valid ID (part 3) | Øresunddirekt, Grensetjänsten Norge–Sverige |
| 4 | Sort out your tax card and where you pay tax (part 4) | Skatteverket, Skatteetaten, Skattestyrelsen |
| 5 | Find out which country insures you – health card, benefits, pension (part 5) | Försäkringskassan, NAV, Udbetaling Danmark |
| 6 | Non-EU residents and partners: apply for the right permit (part 6) | Migrationsverket, UDI, SIRI |
| 7 | Move your car, licence, belongings and pets (part 7) | Transportstyrelsen, Statens vegvesen, Færdselsstyrelsen, Tullverket, Tolletaten |
| 8 | Studying: admission and student finance (part 8) | CSN, Lånekassen, SU |
Source: Info Norden, Skatteverket, Skatteetaten and the Danish citizen portal, read 23 September 2026.
Who to ask
| Service | What it helps with | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Info Norden, the Nordic Council of Ministers' information service | Moving, working and studying between the Nordic countries | – |
| Øresunddirekt, Malmö | Living on one side of Øresund and working on the other | – |
| Grensetjänsten Norge–Sverige, Morokulien | Living in Sweden or Norway and working in the other | 0571-239 03 from Sweden, 62 83 21 00 from Norway |
| Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) | Population registration and Swedish tax | 0771-567 567, or +46 8 564 851 60 from abroad |
| Skatteetaten (the Norwegian Tax Administration) | Norwegian registration and tax | 800 80 000, or +47 22 07 70 00 from abroad |
| Skattestyrelsen (the Danish Tax Agency) | Danish tax | 72 22 18 18 |
| Försäkringskassan (the Swedish Social Insurance Agency) | Swedish benefits and the EU health card | 0771-524 524 |
| NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) | National insurance, benefits and pensions across borders | +47 21 07 37 00 (international) |
| Udbetaling Danmark | Danish family benefits, EU health card and special health card | +45 70 12 80 81 (international health insurance) |
| Migrationsverket, UDI and SIRI | Permits, residence cards and EU registration | Migrationsverket 0771-235 235; SIRI 72 14 20 00 |
| CSN, Lånekassen and SU | Student finance for study in another Nordic country | CSN +46 771-276 000; Lånekassen +47 21 49 60 00 |
Source: Grensetjänsten Norge–Sverige, Øresunddirekt, Skatteverket, Skatteetaten, Skattestyrelsen, Försäkringskassan, NAV, Udbetaling Danmark, Migrationsverket, SIRI, CSN and Lånekassen, read 23 September 2026.
Good to know
Carry ID across Øresund. Commuters between Sweden and Denmark must be able to show valid identification, and temporary border checks may be carried out when entering Denmark.
One register at a time. You can only be registered as resident in one Nordic country, and a Swedish personal identity number is issued only after you have physically moved to Sweden.
Tax follows a new Øresund rule. Since 1 January 2025, commuters between Sweden and Denmark pay tax on their whole salary in the country where they normally work if they work there at least half their working time in every 12-month period – remote days included.
Two changes are still in the pipeline. EU countries approved revised social security coordination rules in April 2026 that are not yet in force, and the ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-free visitors had not started in September 2026.
Moving to one country?
If you are moving to Sweden, Norway or Denmark from outside the region, the complete country guides take you through permits, ID numbers, housing, work, tax and healthcare step by step.
The complete country guides
Relocate in Europe provides general information, not legal or financial advice. Checked on 23 September 2026 – check with the authority before you act.