Sweden Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Sweden

International health insurance best serves individuals moving to or visiting Sweden because it offers flexible, customizable care that is portable across borders. These plans allow you access to many of Sweden’s top-tier facilities, clinics, and hospitals while also offering care in other countries.

Are you an expat preparing to move to Sweden who is uncertain how the country’s healthcare system works? Or maybe you’re a traveler heading to Sweden trying to find what insurance options are available to you during your trip.

This guide will walk you through Sweden’s public and private healthcare offerings, suggest the best insurance for your stay, offer travel tips for Sweden, and more. Compare providers at Pacific Prime or keep reading to find our top international health insurance picks for expats in Sweden.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Sweden

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA Global Health Insurance Plan

• Experienced Personal Support 24/7
• Easy Online Access
• Virtual Doctor Service
• Mind Health Support
• Maximum Annual Benefit Limit up to USD $8,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

The Healthcare System in Sweden

Sweden’s healthcare system is almost entirely public: the government sets regulations and budgets for regional counties and local municipalities then administers the care. According to the 2024 U.S. News Report, Sweden claims the top spot for the most developed public healthcare system.

All 21 county councils are required by the Health and Medical Service Act to provide quality healthcare. These counties finance and provide care in hospital systems as well as in public and private facilities. Most recently, regional counties also took responsibility for providing dental care.

Local municipalities take charge of both public and private care, such as special housing or home care, for the elderly and disabled.

Because the healthcare system is managed regionally, expats and visitors may notice large differences in healthcare services between counties. County councils have considerable leeway in deciding how care should be planned and delivered.

Public Hospitals in Sweden

Some of the best hospitals in Sweden include Karolinska University Hospital, Akademiska Sjukhuset, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Karolinska University Hospital in Solna ranks as the 7th best hospital in the world, according to Newsweek’s 2024 report. Karolinska has held a spot in the top ten hospitals since 2020.

• Address: Solna, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 8 728 6400

Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala is one the largest hospitals in Sweden. It is affiliated with Uppsala University as a teaching hospital for medical students.

• Address: Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 21, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 18 611 00 00

Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg is Sweden’s largest hospital and the third largest in Europe.

• Address: Gothenburg 413 45, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 31 601 000

To find out more about some of the best hospitals in Sweden, check out this Pacific Prime article.

Private Healthcare in Sweden

Expats and travelers may have trouble finding private medical facilities in Sweden. The country aims to eliminate profit-seeking in the public health sector, so even private facilities are regulated by county councils, with private care often considered contractual work.

Because private healthcare still falls under public regulation, the cost and quality of private healthcare are almost identical to those of public healthcare

Private Hospitals in Sweden

There are very few private hospitals in Sweden, but Sophiahemmet Hospital and Slottsbergsklinikin are both private hospitals, and other clinics such as Cavalio Clinic and Capio Arrhythmia Center are highly ranked for their quality care.

Sophiahemmet is a private hospital system in Stockholm associated with the university hospital of the same name.

• Address: Valhallavägen 91, 114 86 Stockholm, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 8 406 20 00

Slottsbergsklinikin is a private hospital located in Göteborg, Sweden.

• Address: Kontrabasgatan 12, 421 50 Västra Frölunda, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 31 89 89 39

Cavalio Clinic in Stockholm specializes in helping patients receive medical assistance to safely lose weight.

• Address: Narvavägen 12, 115 22 Stockholm, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 10 106 06 44

Capio Arrhythmia Center employs specialists who focus on addressing and treating abnormalities in heart rhythm.

• Address: Sjukhusbacken 10, Södersjukhuset, 118 83 Stockholm, Sweden
• Phone number: +46 8 123 652 00

Health Insurance Options in Sweden for Expats

Expats should purchase international health insurance before heading to the country since they will not immediately qualify for Sweden’s subsidized healthcare: it is only available to permanent residents who meet certain qualifications.

Public Insurance in Sweden

Expats may receive Swedish healthcare if they acquire a residence permit and a Swedish personal identification number.

Expats who plan to stay in Sweden for 90 days or longer must obtain a residence permit before entering Sweden. Expats seeking Swedish residence may apply online, in person, or have a Swedish family member apply on their behalf.

Because of Sweden’s decentralized healthcare system, which puts counties in charge of medical care, costs of healthcare vary throughout the country. As of 2024, costs across the country were generally:

• An out-of-pocket maximum of 1,400 SEK (or USD $127.12) for outpatient care
• A maximum of of 2,850 SEK (or USD $258.78) for prescription medications, though there are exceptions such as for children under 18, whose prescriptions are free
• About 110 to 220 SEK (or USD $9.99 to $19.98) for general doctor’s visits

Sweden’s public system offers free healthcare for children under 20, with heavy subsidies for adult prescriptions, a yearly cap for all care, and low copayments.

Travel Insurance in Sweden

Expats to Sweden should secure private health insurance before entering the country as they will not qualify for Sweden’s public healthcare. Short-term travelers should purchase travel insurance for their trip.

For those who don’t plan to travel extensively in Sweden, they may consider travel insurance or short-term insurance. Travel medical insurance ensures coverage for some medical emergencies, such as emergency care or repatriation, in case of a mishap during your vacation.

Pair travel medical insurance with traditional travel insurance for benefits for all types of travel needs. Travel insurance usually covers:

• Trip cancellation
• Delayed departure
• Personal belongings
• Lost luggage
• Travel documents
• Personal liability

If travel insurance fits your needs, read more about top insurers in this guide.

For those who need more extensive care than travel medical insurance offers but who don’t want to pay for international health insurance for only short trips, short-term insurance may fill the gap.

Short-term health insurance tends to be more comprehensive than travel insurance, but it does not offer coverage for travel-related issues and health benefits do often come with exclusions, such as for pre-existing conditions.

International Health Insurance in Sweden

Expats in Sweden who choose an international insurance plan have the luxury of picking which benefits they need. Plus, these policies are generally renewable and offer 24-hour assistance for emergencies.

Because international insurance plans are designed to meet the unique needs of global expats, foreigners living in Sweden will appreciate their versatility and customization. These plans also often include benefits such as emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Some of the common benefits included in an international health insurance plan include:

• Worldwide coverage
• Inpatient and day patient care
• Cancer care
• Mental health care
• Emergency ambulatory services and ER care
• Palliative care
• Home nursing
• Lap work and testing
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental care
• Rehabilitation

Beyond these general benefits, many plans offer more comprehensive coverage, or you may choose to purchase add-on benefits to cover outpatient and preventive care, maternity care, dental and vision, and pre-existing conditions.

Pacific Prime partners with some of the very best international insurance providers around the globe. Meet each one to pick who best fulfills your needs!

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Sweden

Some of the best private health insurance for expats moving to Sweden include Allianz, AXA Bupa Global, and Cigna. Find out more about each insurer below.

Allianz

Allianz, one of the largest international health insurance providers on the market, offers expats in Sweden coverage through three core plans: Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro. All three plans cover inpatient and day-care services, oncology treatment, and medical evacuation.

The annual limit per plan is:

• Care plan: USD $2,500,000
• Care Plus plan: USD $4,000,000
• Care Pro plan: USD $5,00,000

Each tier of coverage offers additional benefits. Beyond the benefits offered in each core Care plan, expats may purchase add-on plans for further coverage. These plans include an outpatient plan, a dental plan, a repatriation plan, and a maternity plan.

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

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AXA

AXA’s five plans are their Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. These plans include valuable services such as 24/7 personal support, claims repayment within 48 hours, second medical opinions, and virtual doctor visits. The plans all offer coverage for:

• Hospital charges and surgery
• Virtual doctor service
• Mind health service
• Emergency coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Wide range of cancer treatment
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET and MRI scans

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The Prestige and Prestige Plus plans also cover routine pregnancy care and annual health checks.

The annual limit of each plan is:

• Foundation plan: USD $160,000
• Standard plan: USD $1,600,000
• Comprehensive plan: USD $2,400,000
• Prestige plan: USD $3,200,000
• Prestige Plus plan: USD $8,00,000

Cigna

Cigna’s health insurance plans offer excellent coverage for expats seeking both inpatient and outpatient services through their Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans as well as their Close Care plan. The core benefits shared by these plans are:

• Inpatient and day patient coverage
• Full cancer care
• Newborn care coverage
• Private hospital rooms
• Hospital stays and treatments

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The Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan all offer international coverage, while the Close Care plan only offers coverage in Sweden and the member’s home country as a cost-effective option.

The Silver plan offers an annual limit of USD $1,000,000, with the Gold plan offering an annual limit of USD $2,000,000, and the Platinum plan offering an unlimited annual maximum. The Close Care plan offers an annual limit of USD $500,000.

If you’re looking for more information on these plans or other top insurers for expats in Sweden, read along in this article for the best 10 insurance companies for Sweden.

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Sweden

When choosing a health insurance plan, you must weigh your personal health concerns against your budget to determine which insurer, plan, and coverage level best suits your needs.

Your Health Concerns and Health Insurance Plans for Sweden

Find a plan that offers the highest-quality coverage for your specific health needs while still fitting your budget. Health history such as age and pre-existing conditions may affect the cost of care, and more healthcare coverage will likely mean a higher cost for your plan.

Your Budget and Health Insurance Plan for Sweden

The factors that contribute to your health insurance costs are your premium, deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. We have described each term below:

• Premiums are the amount you pay each month for health insurance.
• Deductibles are the amount you pay before your insurance covers costs.
• Copays are the amount you pay for medical visits, like doctor’s visits.
• Coinsurance is the coverage percentage you pay once you have met your deductible.
• Out-of-pocket maximum is the total maximum amount you may pay for health care within a term.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Sweden

Travel to Sweden is generally considered quite safe. Short-term travelers to Sweden cannot obtain a residency visa, so we recommend securing a travel insurance plan in case accidents happen during your trip. Find additional travel tips for Sweden below.

Emergency Help

In case of an emergency, dial 112, which connects to Sweden’s police department, rescue service, and fire department.

Maintain Up-to-Date Vaccines

The CDC suggests that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines such as chicken pox, flu, measles, polio, and shingles as well as other vaccines like COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and rabies.

Using a European Health Insurance Card in Sweden

If you have an EHIC, emergency services are free, but you have to pay a subsidized fee for all other treatments. You will also want to bring any necessary prescriptions with you on your visit.

Note that in Sweden, many freely available medications back in your country are only available with a prescription. This can be incredibly costly if you need to buy from a local pharmacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is surgery covered at no cost in Sweden?

Most healthcare services, including surgery, in Sweden are heavily subsidized but not completely free. Some inpatient surgical care may be free, but it varies by region. Most surgical care requires a small copay.

What is the price of a doctor's visit in Sweden?

The price of a general doctor’s visit in Sweden ranges from 110 to 220 SEK—about USD $9.99 to $19.98.

Is Sweden's healthcare system good?

Sweden consistently ranks among the top healthcare systems in the world, both for its accessibility and its high-quality care.

Contact Us for a Quote

Pacific Prime has over two decades of experience as a broker in the insurance industry. We are committed to finding the perfect health insurance plan to suit your budget and needs as an expat moving to Sweden.

Most importantly, our highly trained experts provide free quotations, leverage our close partnerships with all major insurers, and have an extensive portfolio that consists of all the best plans. Try our free quote tool or contact us today so we can help you prepare for your move to Sweden!