Health Insurance in Sweden: Comprehensive Guide
Health insurance coverage in Sweden is universal, and both local and permanent residents are encouraged to use the public healthcare system. This is because public healthcare facilities often offer treatment for various conditions and diseases that are not limited to a particular hospital.
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Despite the advantages, it’s strongly recommended that expats and travelers secure international health insurance, given that only urgent cases are given priority in public healthcare systems, resulting in a lot of time spent waiting and making your life and travels contingent on your treatment.
The Swedish Public Healthcare System
Sweden’s public healthcare system offers excellent inpatient and outpatient care, easy access to prescription drugs, preventative services, disability support, rehabilitation services, and dental care.
The Swedish public healthcare system is publicly funded and offers high-quality, subsidized treatment to its populace, working on a decentralized basis. However, not all their medical professionals can speak English, nor can they guarantee that your treatments will be prompt.
The majority of medical expenses in Sweden are capped. As per Swedish regulations, hospitalization costs cannot exceed 100 kr (USD $10). In many areas, the cost for ambulance or helicopter services is capped at 1,100 kr (USD $110).
Prescription medication expenses are also regulated, ensuring that patients do not pay more than 2,350 kr (USD $233) within a year. The highest out-of-pocket expense for medical appointments within a year is 1,150 kr (USD $114).
Once this limit is reached, subsequent consultations are provided at no additional cost. Moreover, healthcare services are provided free of charge for individuals under 18 years of age.
The Pros and Cons of Sweden’s Public Health System
Sweden’s public health system is capped and paid for by the government, is far-reaching, and offers access to inpatient, outpatient, prescription drugs, disability support, and rehabilitation services. However, they come with long wait times and suffer from a lack of staff.
Below is a table that highlights the key pros and cons of using the Swedish public health system:
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive coverage: Sweden’s healthcare system covers inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drugs, disability support, rehabilitation services, and dental care. | Lack of staff: According to Cigna, 71% of Swedes believe that a lack of staff is the biggest drawback of Sweden’s healthcare system. |
| Free interpreter services: Patients who cannot find a doctor or dentist who speaks their language can receive free assistance from an interpreter. | Long waiting times: According to Cigna, 51% of Swedish nationals expressed concerns about the lengthy waiting times for medical services. |
| Capped patient fees: Patients need only pay 1,150 kr (USD $114) per year in consultation fees, with the government covering any additional expenses. | Limited access to regular GPs: Swedes often complain about not being able to see their regular general practitioners and having to rely on temporary doctors or nurses. |
The Swedish Private Healthcare System
Privatization of healthcare was banned in 2004 to ensure equal access to healthcare and prevent people from buying their way out of waiting lists; however, if you’re still waiting on your permanent residency status, private healthcare is necessary coverage for your stay in Sweden.
Additionally, while private healthcare in Sweden is extremely uncommon and only 10% of working-age Swedish nationals have private health insurance, expatriates or locals in Sweden choose to have private health insurance to make appointments through the private system, which is faster than the public system.
How Expats Can Apply for Swedish Public Health Insurance
European expats in Sweden can qualify for public health insurance by holding a European Health Insurance Card. This card can be obtained in their respective countries before relocating to Sweden. For non-European expats, see if your respective countries have healthcare agreements with Sweden.
However, if you are planning to study or live in Sweden for less than a year, you will not be eligible to apply for a Swedish personal number, and you may need to consult the Swedish Tax Agency for a coordination number instead.
Again, it is strongly recommended that expatriates carry their own private international health insurance, as this is the most effective way of guaranteeing safe, affordable, and streamlined treatment during their stay or travels in Sweden until they are given permanent residency.
Why Private Health Insurance is Important in Sweden
If you are not from a nation in the European Union, private international health insurance ensures that your medical expenses are paid for until you receive your Swedish ID number and that you’ll retain the same doctor throughout your treatment.
Additionally, you’ll be granted full dental coverage, quicker access to the right treatments and doctors through private booking procedures, and be treated equally with locals and permanent residents.
The Coverage Types for Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance provides coverage for primary care, hospitalization, specialized treatments, and dental care, which are essential components of living a healthy and happy life in Sweden as a lone expat or expat family.
- Primary Care: This coverage includes any services that general practitioners or social workers offer. Physiotherapists, pediatricians, and nurses. As an essential part of medical services, this coverage is considered very crucial.
- Hospitalization coverage: This coverage enables individuals to receive in-patient treatment in hospitals and clinics, especially when they are in dire need of treatment or care due to a serious accident or illness. Additionally, this coverage ensures that your hospital stays are comfortable.
- Specialized treatment coverage: This coverage protects you from any unforeseen costs associated with specialized areas of medicine or healthcare, many of which are extremely expensive and require the attention of highly qualified doctors and researchers.
- Dental Coverage: An add-on to most health insurance plans, this coverage ensures that you can receive affordable and easy access to dental treatment in Sweden, regardless of location, treatment type, and cost. This is strongly recommended to include in your plans due to dental treatment costs.
The Average Cost of Health Insurance in Sweden
In Sweden, the cost of private health insurance varies depending on individual conditions, budget, and provider; however, expatriates can expect to pay an average of USD $385. For those who qualify for the public healthcare system, they’ll mostly be subject to small fees for services.
Below is a list of the costs associated with private healthcare and other additional services under the universal system:
| Plan or Service Type | Average Cost in Sweden |
| Private health insurance plan | USD $400 |
| GP visit under the universal system | USD $20 |
| Specialists visit under the universal system | USD $40 |
| Prescription costs under the universal system | USD $220 |
| Healthcare costs under the universal system | USD $105 |
Why You Should Obtain Health Insurance from a Broker
An insurance broker provides clients who are looking to relocate to Sweden with easy access to personalized coverage, specialized advice, policy and claims assistance, and post-sales assistance.
In more detail, contacting an insurance broker provides clients with the following advantages:
- Personalized Coverage: A broker will be able to differentiate and identify the needs of their clients by simply analyzing their pre-existing conditions, budget, and people included. This means expatriates do not have to waste time browsing for what’s best for them.
- Specialized Guidance: By having a broker inform and guide you throughout your insurance journey, you’ll know of every limitation and area of entitlement to the health insurance policy you’ve bought, making the most out of every dollar spent.
- Policy and Claims Assistance: Filing claims and expecting to be reimbursed can be a hassle. However, with a broker managing and helping with your claims process, you can expect more convenience and be reimbursed on time and with a guarantee.
- Post-Sales Assistance: Upon purchasing a health insurance plan, you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of no matter where you are. Insurance brokers are committed to serving and caring for their clients throughout the duration of their insurance.
Get Started Today
If you are an expat in Sweden, you should give serious thought to securing private international health insurance, because this insurance will give you complete and prompt access to the top medical professionals.
When you work with Pacific Prime, an award-winning insurance brokerage, you will have access to a team of specialists who can help you compare plans from the top insurers in Sweden and around the world with unbiased advice.
Contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health insurance coverage universal in Sweden?
Health insurance coverage in Sweden is universal, and both local and permanent residents are encouraged to use the public healthcare system.
Should expats and travelers secure private health insurance in Sweden?
It is strongly recommended for expats and travelers to secure private health insurance in Sweden. While the public healthcare system offers high-quality treatment, only urgent cases are given priority, resulting in long waiting times.
What does private health insurance in Sweden cover?
Private health insurance in Sweden provides coverage for primary care, hospitalization, specialized treatments, and dental care. These coverage types ensure access to comprehensive medical services for expats and expat families.
Why should I obtain health insurance from a broker in Sweden?
Obtaining health insurance from a broker offers advantages such as personalized coverage based on individual needs, specialized guidance throughout the insurance journey, policy and claims assistance, and post-sales assistance.
Upon graduating from Mahidol University International College’s International Relations program, he spent his career in marketing and business development, working for an international subcontractor, a marketing research firm, an international news agency, a software development company, and a creative agency. His journey now continues at Pacific Prime, where he hopes to make an impact by simplifying insurance and writing a gargantuan amount of SEO articles to draw in billions of leads.
In his free time, Piyanat is an avid martial artist and musician, spending most of his time at boxing gyms in Nakhon Pathom and music studios with his friends in the music industry.
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1 Comment
How do expats in Sweden find English-speaking healthcare providers within the public healthcare system, and are there any specific resources or networks available for this? Are there any cultural or procedural differences in healthcare practices that expats should be aware of when transitioning to Sweden’s healthcare system?
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