How To Get Swedish ID06 for non-EU Employees

ID06 is the system used widely in Sweden to identify individuals working at construction sites and other regulated industries. The ID06 card requirement aims to increase security, prevent undeclared work, and ensure that employers comply with Swedish tax and employment laws. For non-EU nationals (so-called “third-country nationals”), the process to obtain an ID06 card is more complex than for EU/EEA nationals, and it is closely linked to residence and work permit regulations, as well as Swedish tax registration rules. Below is an overview of the main categories of non-EU individuals and how they may qualify for an ID06 card.

What is ID06?

ID06 is, as stated above, a type of access card system installed at construction and installation sites in Sweden. The purpose of the ID06 system is to ensure that only employees who fulfil all Swedish legal requirements may enter a construction or installation site that uses ID06.

Each employee must therefore apply for and obtain a physical card, which is scanned in order to pass through the gates to the site.

Is ID06 mandatory in Sweden?

ID06 is not a statutory requirement, and there are technically alternative solutions to ID06. However, in practice, ID06 is almost exclusively used – which makes it important for foreign (non-Swedish) companies in the construction and installation sectors to be aware of the requirements that must be fulfilled in order for their employees to obtain ID06 cards.

How do I get ID06 for non-EU employees?

For EU citizens, obtaining an ID06 card is relatively straightforward, since there are no work permit requirements within the EU; all EU citizens are entitled to work in any EU member state, including Sweden.

For non-EU citizens, however, the requirements are more demanding, since they must be able to prove that they are legally entitled under Swedish migration law to enter and work in Sweden during the validity period of the ID06 card. Also - the registration process and the verification of employees passports, right of work, and other requirements, can be very demanding to take care of.

What are the requirements for non-EU employees to obtain an ID06 card?

It should be noted that not only the nationality of the worker matters, but also the legal basis under which they are entering and working in Sweden. Several exemptions from the Swedish work permit requirement exist, but residence permits and visas are often still necessary. The main categories are:

• Specialists in an international corporate group: May work temporarily in Sweden for the group for a total period of less than one year without a Swedish work permit. A residence permit is required if the stay exceeds three months in a six-month period. Nationals of certain countries must also hold a valid Schengen visa. ID06 cards can be issued for the same validity period as the Swedish residence permit, or for a maximum of three months if no residence permit exists.

• Fitters or technical instructors for urgent installation or repair of machinery: May work without a work permit for a maximum of two months if the work is of a crisis character (unforeseen and urgent). A residence permit is not required for such short periods, but a Schengen visa may be needed depending on nationality. ID06 cards can be issued with a validity of up to two months.

• Workers under a business agreement (testing, preparing, or finalising deliveries): May work for up to three months during a twelve-month period without a work permit, provided the work falls under the scope of a business agreement. Nationals from visa-required countries must obtain a Schengen visa. ID06 cards can be issued for up to three months in such cases.
  

In all of these cases, documentation such as employment certificates, proof that the employer is part of an international group, Schengen visas (if required), and A1 certificates (for postings from an EU-based employer) must be attached digitally with the ID06 card application.

We, at taxhelpsweden, are able to assist you with picking the right ground, and providing you with legal statements that can be used to show for ID06 that your employee fulfills the requirements.

Employer requirements

The employer must also be registered with ID06 – which in practice generally requires that the company is approved for Swedish F-tax. Thereafter, the company must enter into an agreement with ID06. In most cases, this either requires that a law firm (such as taxhelpsweden) signs on behalf of the company by way of power of attorney, or that a company representative travels to Sweden to complete strict in-person identification procedures with a passport.

Only after these steps have been completed can the individual employee apply for and obtain the ID06 card.

How are sole traders treated for ID06 purposes?

For sole traders (self-employed individuals), the ID06 process is stricter and often problematic. Unlike foreign companies with employees, where one F-tax registration and one ID06 agreement covers the entire company and its workforce, each sole trader must individually enter into an agreement with ID06 and submit all documentation. This creates a heavier administrative burden and can make the use of sole traders impractical.

Third-country nationals as sole traders

• Long-term stay (more than three months): A third-country national intending to stay in Sweden for more than three months to establish and operate a sole proprietorship, or to become a partner in a Swedish business, must obtain a Swedish residence permit and register for Swedish F-tax. ID06 cards may then be issued with a validity equal to the residence permit, provided that F-tax registration exists. If only a pending application exists, cards may be issued for shorter periods (three or six months depending on documentation).

• Short-term stay (less than three months): A third-country national who is self-employed in their home country and will work in Sweden for less than three months does not need a residence permit, but must still register for F-tax. Nationals of visa-required countries must also hold a valid Schengen visa. ID06 cards can then be issued for a maximum of three months during a six-month period.
  

In both cases, supporting documents such as residence permits or receipts from the Migration Agency, F-tax registration extracts or RUFS numbers, and visas (if required) must be attached digitally to the ID06 application.

Are you representing a company with non-EU employees, that are planning to conduct a business project in Sweden, where ID06 is required? Kindly reach out to us, and we will be able to assist you with all necessary aspects of getting ID06 and ensuring compliance in Sweden, while at the same time not paying unnecessary taxes, ensuring an optimal setup for you.