Health Insurance and Healthcare in Sweden Explained

Jump right in:

• How healthcare works in Sweden
• Sweden healthcare facts
• Do you need health insurance in Sweden?
• Staying in Sweden for a year or longer?
• Does Sweden have free public healthcare?
• What does public healthcare cover?
• An overview of private health insurance
• Is private insurance worth it?
• Types of private health insurance plans
• Average private health insurance costs in Sweden
• How to find a doctor in Sweden
• How to find a dentist in Sweden
• How to find specialists in Sweden
• Giving birth in Sweden
• Midwives
• Costs of childbirth in Sweden
• Does a baby born in Sweden get citizenship?

How healthcare works in Sweden?

The healthcare system in Sweden is largely decentralized. Although the national government dictates the overall policy, it is the regional level (the kommun or municipality) that has the greatest influence.

Headed by county council officials who are elected every four years, the municipality oversees the healthcare and health services of their specific region. County councils also regulate the prices and service quality of private insurance providers. In total, there are 21 county councils that regulate 290 municipalities.

Sweden healthcare facts

• As of January 2025, regional councils cover dental care costs for residents under 20 years old.
• Regional spending on health services accounts for about 88% of total expenditure.
• Sweden has one of the oldest populations in Europe. It’s estimated that one in every five people in Sweden is over 65.
• Since 2009, Sweden has run an annual National Patient Survey to assess patients’ experiences with their care and recovery. The results help evaluate and improve healthcare across the country.

Do you need health insurance in Sweden?

The Swedish public health system covers all legal residents automatically. To receive care via public health insurance, you’ll need a personnummer. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll have to take out private insurance. However, it’s not illegal to be in Sweden without health insurance coverage.

Staying in Sweden for a year or longer?

If you plan to stay in Sweden for a year or more, you’ll need to get a personnummer, i.e., the Swedish tax identification number. You’ll need it to access the public health scheme. If you’re only staying in Sweden short-term and don’t have a personnummer, or you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss/Nordic citizen, you’ll have to sign up for private health insurance that’s valid for the duration of your stay. Read our Working in Sweden section to find out how to get your personnummer.

If you’re from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you should register for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before coming to Sweden. This card grants you access to healthcare for the same cost and under the same conditions as a Swedish citizen.

Does Sweden have free public healthcare?

Healthcare in Sweden isn’t free, but it’s not expensive. Compared with other European countries, Swedish healthcare costs are quite reasonable. Visits for basic healthcare typically cost between 200 to 350 SEK (20–36 USD) depending on your county. Specialist appointments can go up to 400 SEK (40 USD). Hospital stays are about 120 SEK per day for the first ten days, after which it’s reduced to 60 SEK. Additionally, medical care for those under 20 years of age and with a personnummer is free.

The Swedish government makes concessions for people who require frequent healthcare. The government sets a yearly cap for out-of-pocket fees at around 1,000 SEK (100 USD). Anything exceeding this amount is covered by the Swedish government. This also applies to prescription medication, which is capped at around 3,800 SEK (400 USD).

What does public healthcare cover?

Although services may vary depending on the region, public healthcare covers basic medical needs, including:

• Hospitalization
• Basic outpatient services
• Prescription medication
• Dental care (for those under 20 years old)
• Maternity care
• Emergency care
• Mental health care
• Optometry
• Preventative services
• Disability support services
• Rehabilitation services
• Home-based nurses and transport facilities for those in need

An overview of private health insurance

Despite Sweden’s reputation for high quality public healthcare, there are a few reasons expats may want to look into private health insurance. You can opt for private health care for added convenience or you may want to be insured until you get a residence permit.

Is private insurance worth it?

Opting for private health insurance in Sweden is becoming more common. One reason for this is that it accelerates access to treatment. But overall, there’s not much difference in quality between public and private health care.

Here are some benefits:

• Wait times

Waiting times under private health insurance policies are generally shorter than for those with public health care. According to Insurance Sweden, in most private health insurance policies the waiting time for a specialist visit is a maximum of seven working days and for surgery two to three weeks.

• Doctors and hospitals

Private health insurance covers care not covered by public plans, such as chiropractic care and access to a dietitian. You can also choose your own practitioner rather than settling with whoever the public health scheme prescribes. Expats often prefer private insurance to more easily guarantee a doctor who speaks their language, although it’s usually easy to find an English-speaking doctor in Sweden.

• Supplementing costs

If you know you’ll need to undergo expensive medical procedures while in Sweden, it may be worth looking into private insurance. Public health insurance has a capped amount of what residents are expected to spend, but private insurance can help offset some costs.

Types of private health insurance plans

While the type of health insurance plan you’ll receive depends on the insurance company you choose, on average you’ll be presented with four different levels:

• Basic: Covers basic health needs such as check-ups, medicine, preventative care, and various unexpected expenses.
• Essential: This plan covers a greater variety of appointment types and surgeries compared to basic coverage.
• Comprehensive: This includes out-patient treatment, as well as broader psychological and international coverage.
• Premium: This plan typically covers all basic medical needs, out-patient treatment, and international travel insurance. It may also cover fertility treatment and maternity care.

Add-ons like eye and dental care may not be included in all plans. If this is something you need, be sure to check whether the provider you choose lists it as an option.

Average private health insurance costs in Sweden

Costs for private health insurance varies by provider and plan, but on average you can expect to pay about 4,000 SEK per year (400 USD).

How to find a doctor in Sweden?

Finding a doctor or dentist in Sweden is dependent on your medical needs and health insurance.

If you’re very sick, you should go to a hospital. Swedish emergency rooms (akutmottagningar) are some of the best in the world, and they’re well equipped to handle every type of emergency.

If you’re in a remote area of Sweden and unable to reach a hospital, call 112 and request an ambulance. Air ambulances operate in hard-to-reach areas. After 17:00 and on the weekends, you can go to urgent care centers (Alléjouren) for acute problems.

If it’s a non-emergency, you can go to a regular clinic (vårdcentraler). These are funded by the government and accept public or private healthcare insurance. There are also special ‘drop-in’ clinics in big cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg but be prepared for a long wait.

If you’re unsure whether you need medical attention and want to discuss your condition with someone over the telephone, ring 1177 from anywhere within Sweden. Trained staff will be able to advise you on what steps to take and help you find a clinic that can provide the care you need.

Here are some online resources to help you find a doctor:

• Swedish.org
• 1177
• Socialstyrelsen
• Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting

How to find a dentist in Sweden

To find a dentist, use the online directory provided by the Swedish Dental Association (Sveriges Tandläkarförbund). The directory allows you to search for dentists by location and specialty, making it easier to find a dentist that meets your needs.

If you’re a Swedish citizen or have a Swedish ID number, you can register with a dentist through the Swedish Dental Service (Folktandvården). This service provides both preventive and curative dental care for a low fee.

Websites such as Praktikertjänst and 1177 Vårdguiden offer directories of dental clinics and often indicate whether services are offered in English.

If you don’t have a personnummer, you can still get dental care in Sweden. Private dental clinics are available if you’re not eligible for public dental care.

How to find specialists in Sweden

To see a specialist, you’ll need a referral from a general practitioner. Some clinics also require a referral from a doctor to get an appointment. Be sure to check if the clinic you plan to visit requires referrals.

Under public health insurance, the average wait time to see a doctor in Sweden ranges anywhere from one week to three months. With private insurance, you may be able to see someone within a maximum of seven working days.

Giving birth in Sweden

Whether you’re a resident or non-resident, Sweden is one of the best countries in which to give birth. The country has one of the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. Sweden’s parental care approach supports both parents and children. Prenatal care is also free if you have social insurance or are registered in the population registry.

If you want to give birth at home, talk to your midwife about this option as early as possible. Depending on the county where you’ll be giving birth, you may have to pay a fee, though some mothers are covered if they meet certain criteria.

When you go into labor, don't head straight to the hospital. Instead, call a labor coordinator, who’ll make sure you’re sent to a hospital that has space and is ready for you. If you have more complex pregnancy, there’ll be a clear plan set in advance.

You’ll be well cared for throughout the process. Some hospitals have attached recovery hotels where you can rest and bond with your baby after delivery. The hospital will also issue the baby’s birth certificate, which you’ll use to register the birth with the Swedish Tax Agency.

Midwives

In Sweden, the primary providers of pre-natal and post-natal care are midwives (barnmorskors). Although midwifery is not a common pre/post-natal option in many western countries, in Sweden midwife-based care is considered the best option. Expectant mothers will only see a doctor if there’s a complication during the pregnancy or if there’s a need for anesthesia during childbirth.

Cost of childbirth in Sweden

If you’re not a resident, don’t have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or are a foreigner whose country has no reciprocal agreements with Sweden, bills can easily pile up and you can expect your total costs to be around 65,000–100,000 SEK (6,900–10,630 USD).

Antenatal care is free, although hospitals will include a daily charge of approximately 100 SEK (13 USD).

Does a baby born in Sweden get citizenship?

Children born in Sweden to non-Swedish parents receive the same citizenship as their parents. If the child’s parents are citizens of a country outside the EU or EEA, the parents must apply for a residence permit for the child.

If one of the parents of the child is Swedish, then the child will be considered a citizen at birth. The child will automatically be given a personnummer and the parent must then register the child’s name with the Swedish Tax Agency within three months.