Healthcare in Sweden

Written by Lais Cattassini Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Lais Cattassini

Lais is a Brazilian journalist and copywriter with over 17 years of experience, writing about things she knows really well (travelling, cinema, social media trends) and things she loves learning about.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 13, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Interesting facts:

• Sweden is a leader in the use of digital health technology. Patients can access digital services such as video consultations, prescription management, and health records through online portals.
• Sweden consistently ranks high in terms of health outcomes. It has low rates of infant mortality, high life expectancy, and comprehensive preventive care programs.
• About 13% of residents in Sweden have private health insurance.

Overview of the Swedish healthcare system

The Swedish healthcare system is a publicly funded, decentralised, and universal system designed to provide high-quality care to all residents. It is largely financed through taxes.

Sweden is divided into 290 municipalities and 21 regional councils. Councils are responsible for funding and delivering healthcare services within their regions, and municipalities are responsible for elderly care and social services. Nationally, the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) is the regulating body for healthcare services.

Healthcare coverage is universal and automatic and governed by principles of human dignity, solidarity, and cost-effectiveness.

Services covered can vary due to regional responsibilities. However, the public healthcare system in Sweden largely covers preventive services, primary care, maternity care, inpatient and outpatient specialised care, emergency care, prescription drugs, mental health care, rehabilitation services, disability support services, patient transport, home care and long-time care, dental care, and optometry.

How to access the healthcare system in Sweden as an expat

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can access emergency healthcare in Sweden with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) until you register as a resident. For non-emergency care, you will need to register as a resident and get a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer).

If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you must have a residency permit and be registered in Sweden to access the public healthcare system. After moving to Sweden, you will need to obtain a personnummer from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

Getting a Personal Identity Number (Personnummer)

You must first have a valid residence permit (for non-EU/EEA citizens) or show proof of your right to reside in Sweden (for EU/EEA citizens). This could be for work, study, or family reunification.

Once you have your residence permit or are legally in Sweden, you must register as a resident at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). They will issue you a personnummer.

Primary Care (Vårdcentral)

The first point of contact for most healthcare needs is a Vårdcentral (healthcare centre). You can choose any Vårdcentral, whether public or private (both are funded by public healthcare). Registration is often not mandatory but simplifies access.

You can book appointments with general practitioners (GPs) or nurses. Appointments can often be made online, in the healthcare centre, website or by phone.

There is a small fee for visiting a Vårdcentral, typically between SEK 120 and SEK 250 (€11-€22) per visit. There are caps on out-of-pocket expenses, and once you reach a certain limit, further healthcare services are free for the rest of the year.

Specialist Care

Your GP at the Vårdcentral will refer you to a specialist if required. This is common for conditions that need advanced treatment, such as dermatology, cardiology, or surgery.

Once referred, you'll book an appointment with the specialist, often at a hospital or specialised clinic.

Specialist visits typically cost around SEK 200 to SEK 400 (€18-€35), and, like primary care, there are limits on the total amount you will pay annually for healthcare.

Prescription Medications

Doctors, either at the Vårdcentral or specialist clinics, will issue electronic prescriptions that are stored in a centralised system. You can then collect your medications at any pharmacy.

The Swedish healthcare system provides subsidies for medications, and there's a cap on how much you will pay for prescriptions annually (SEK 2,600 or approximately €230).

Types of health insurance in Sweden

Public Health Insurance

All legal residents of Sweden, including expats with a residence permit and a personnummer, are automatically covered by the public health insurance system. This is the default system that guarantees access to healthcare services, including primary care, specialist care, hospitalisation, and medications.

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance is supplemental and optional, providing quicker access to specialists and more personalised services not covered by the public system.

Many employers in Sweden provide private health insurance as part of employee benefits packages. This is popular among professionals and high-level employees who want faster access to healthcare.

Some of the top healthcare providers in Sweden are Skandia, Trygg-Hansa, IF Skadeförsäkring, and Länsförsäkringar.

How much does health insurance in Sweden cost?

In Sweden, healthcare is primarily funded through taxes, so there is no separate cost for public health insurance if you're a resident. Instead, residents pay for healthcare services through small co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses, and there are annual caps to ensure costs stay low.

The cost to access care is based on co-pays and limits for out-of-pocket expenses:

For prescription medication, there is a tiered co-payment system with an annual out-of-pocket limit. Once your out-of-pocket costs for medications reach SEK 2,600 (approximately €230) in a year, you receive medications for free for the rest of the year.

Expat health insurance in Sweden

If you are an expat with a residency permit and have registered with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to receive a personnummer, you are automatically covered by the public healthcare system.

If you are in Sweden for a short period (e.g., less than a year), you will not be eligible for the public healthcare system immediately. In such cases, you will need to either purchase private health insurance or international health insurance to cover your healthcare needs until you become eligible for public healthcare or international health insurance.

EU/EEA citizens can access emergency healthcare using their EHIC before becoming a resident.

English-speaking doctors in Sweden

Many healthcare professionals in Sweden speak English fluently. You can call or visit your local Vårdcentral (healthcare centre) and ask if they have doctors who speak English. Find your nearest Vårdcentral through the 1177.se website (Sweden's official healthcare portal). You can search by region and specific services.

Some clinics that offer English services are Aleris, Considra, and Capio.

You can also call 1177 to ask about finding English-speaking doctors near you, and they can help direct you to the appropriate services.

What to do in an emergency?

For all types of emergencies, including medical emergencies, fires, crimes, or life-threatening situations, you can call 112.

If the situation is not immediately life-threatening but still requires urgent medical attention, you can go directly to an emergency department (Akutmottagning) at the nearest hospital. Use 1177.se to find the closest emergency department, or call 1177 for advice.