Social insurance is an important part of the Swedish social security system. Swedish social insurance covers most people who live or work in Sweden. The social insurance system is administered by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). The purpose of the social insurance system is to provide financial security during the various stages of life. It provides financial protection for families and children – for example, for people with disabilities, illnesses, work injuries, and for old people.
To be eligible for social insurance benefits, you must, as a general rule; either formally reside in Sweden or be employed and work here. Read more at Forsakringskassan
What applies for different nationals?
Please find out below.
Nordic citizens are automatically covered. Find out more on Norden.org
If you will stay in Sweden for more than 12 months you will be covered as soon as you have registered as a resident at the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Your entitlement to certain benefits, such as sick leave compensation, depends on whether you work and pay taxes in Sweden. If you stay shorter than one year, make sure to bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
In addition, check if you need a S1 certificate or a private health insurance.
If you are a non-EU citizen staying for less than a year, speak to your host at the University about the Insurance for foreign visitors (former GIF insurance). This insurance provides the following coverage: personal injury protection, medical and dental coverage, home transport, personal property coverage, third party liability and legal expenses. The insurance provides 24-hour coverage in Sweden and throughout the Schengen area if you have a Schengen visa.
If you are planning to stay in Sweden at least one year, you must generally be entered into the Swedish population register. You do this by registering with the Swedish Tax Agency. Find out more from the Tax Agency films under Moving to Sweden.
Right to healthcare
Once you are registered in Sweden and when you have received a personal number, you will pay the regular Swedish patient fee for medical care in the public healthcare system.
Insured in Sweden
If you live and pay taxes in Sweden, you are generally insured in Sweden. This means that you may be entitled to different types of compensation from Försäkringskassan. You need to register with the Social Insurance Agency to apply for a benefit. For more information see the Social Insurance Agency's website. If you are bringing your children, we recommend you to contact the Social Insurance Agency upon arrival.
Insured at the university
As an employee in Sweden you are covered by a number of different types of insurance. Contact your employer to find out more.
Scholarship recipients who stay in Sweden for more than 1 year, regardless of citizenship, must register themselves with the Swedish Population register and apply for a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) at the Swedish Tax Agency. Once you are assigned this number, you are entitled to medical treatment at the same cost as Swedish residents.
Before a personal identity number is assigned to the scholarship recipient, and if the scholarship recipient is staying for less than 1-year, other types of insurance are available, depending from which country the scholarship recipient comes.
- Scholarship recipients from EU / EEA or Switzerland must have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be covered by subsidized emergency and other types of necessary health care in Sweden.
- Scholarship recipients from outside of EU / EEA or Switzerland and staying at one of the Swedish state universities, are usually covered by the Insurance for foreign visitors (Note, check this with your host department)
Doctoral students with a scholarship count as students and are not considered to be resident in Sweden and thus not entitled to residence-based benefits