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 www.Forsakningskassan.se
What applies for different nationals? Please see below.
You are automatically covered at all times. More information at https://www.norden.org/en
If you will stay in Sweden for more than one year, you are covered as soon as you register as a resident with the Tax Office (Skatteverket). Your entitlement to some benefits (for example, sickness benefit) depends on whether or not you are working and paying taxes in Sweden. If you will stay for less than one year, bring a EHIC card from your home country. Also check if you need an S1 certificateor 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.
Swedish Tax Agency (skatteverket.se) opens in a new window
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 rates 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.