{"id":6450,"date":"2020-04-21T11:46:25","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T09:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foyerglobalhealth.com\/?page_id=5325"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:17:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T13:17:49","slug":"international-health-insurance-for-expats-in-sweden","status":"publish","type":"destinationcpt","link":"https:\/\/globalhealth.insurance\/destination\/international-health-insurance-for-expats-in-sweden\/","title":{"rendered":"International Health Insurance for Expatriates in Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure? Starting a new life in Sweden means discovering bustling metropolises, vast forests, polar landscapes, all the while embracing the Lagom<\/em> lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweden is also home to one of the most efficient healthcare systems in Europe and provides all the comfort and security that you\u2019ll need on your new journey. But how does the Swedish healthcare system work? How can Global Health improve your expat experience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A decentralised health system <\/mark><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sweden\u2019s decentralised health system is managed at three different levels (national, regional, and local), and is mainly tax-funded (municipal and regional taxes). At the national level, the Ministry of Health sets the overall health policy and the agenda for its regional and local implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the regional level, 21 county councils are responsible for, among other things, ensuring access to healthcare for residents; they also run most of the primary healthcare centres (v\u00e5rdcentral<\/em>) where various medical specialties are grouped together, as well as the hospitals. At the local level, the municipalities manage certain health services such as care for the elderly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital healthcare<\/mark><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Sweden, digital healthcare is available throughout the country. As part of its e-Health Vision 2025 to become Europe\u2019s digital health champion, it has set up a telephone hotline (1177) and a national health portal (https:\/\/www.1177.se\/<\/a>) to facilitate the exchange of information between patients and healthcare providers \u2014 enabling patients to take medical appointments online. Several start-ups, such as Kry, provide Swedish residents with a digital platform to quickly access health professionals and get their medical subscriptions online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personummer<\/mark><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A personal identification number (known as personummer<\/em>) allows you to benefit from Swedish public healthcare, but also acts as your Swedish identification number (you\u2019ll need it to open a bank account, get a phone contract, etc.). You can obtain the personummer<\/em> once you have registered with a local branch of the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does basic health insurance cost in Sweden?<\/mark><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anyone living in Sweden has access to primary healthcare and basic coverage without requiring a minimum period of membership or having to provide any proof of employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the Swedish central government\u2019s policy is to ensure equal and universal access to healthcare, medical services are not completely free of charge. The provincial council covers a large part of the medical costs, but patients must pay up to a capped fee that is different from region to region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who gets 100% free healthcare? <\/mark><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Basic health care is free for people under 16 and pregnant women who get a medical appointment at the v\u00e5rdcentral<\/em>. Dental care is free until the age of 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much will you have to pay for basic healthcare?<\/mark><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It depends on the public healthcare services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n