Overview of Healthcare in Sweden
Sweden’s universal public healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Swedes enjoy excellent life expectancy: 79 years for men and 83 years for women. That’s the fifth-highest in Europe. Their quality of life is also superb. Sweden has Europe’s highest rate of physicians per capita (3.3 per 1,000 people), as well as very high cancer survival rates.
Overall, Sweden has 79 hospitals and 1,400 pharmacies. And thanks to a system in which the central government dictates policy but the local county councils and municipal governments provide services, Sweden’s healthcare system prioritizes local concerns. In total, there are approximately 20 councils in Sweden that regulate nearly 300 municipalities.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Healthcare System Costs
The government primarily funds the cost of the Swedish healthcare system through taxation. However, approximately 3% of the cost is financed directly by patients.
There is a small co-pay that patients must pay for each doctor’s visit, typically ranging from 100 to 300 kronor. The cost of an emergency room visit is slightly higher at 300 kronor. Hospital stays are about 120 kronor per day for the first ten days, and 60 kronor a day afterward.
There are exemptions for individuals under the age of 16 and those who are considered vulnerable persons. Overall, the average citizen’s co-pay is capped at 1,100 kronor a year.
Prescription drugs, while not free, are very affordable. The total amount a patient will pay is capped at 2,200 kronor a year. Should their prescription bill exceed this amount, the government pays the difference.
Maternity Care in Sweden
Unlike many other Western countries, prenatal and postnatal care in Sweden is primarily delivered through midwives, known as barnmorskors.
The average pregnant person in Sweden only sees a doctor if there is a complication during pregnancy or if they require anesthesia during delivery. Sweden also adopts a minimalist approach to tests and blood work during prenatal care.
Unless there is a specific concern, frequent appointments aren’t necessary, and most blood work focuses on monitoring iron levels.
Accessing Emergency Care in Sweden
Sweden has a comprehensive emergency care program. Emergency rooms in hospitals are open 24 hours a day, and patients can be seen with or without a physician’s referral.
In some counties, there is a fee for the use of ambulance or medical helicopter transportation, but this cost is capped at 1,100 kronor.
For patients who are unsure if their circumstances constitute an emergency or another course of care, they can phone 1177 to access healthcare advice 24 hours a day.
The phone number for serious emergencies is 112, and it should be used in the same manner as 911 is used in North America.
Private vs Public Care in Sweden
Public healthcare in Sweden is excellent. It covers or heavily subsidizes everything from wellness physicals to specialist appointments to emergency care.
As such, private healthcare isn’t commonly used in Sweden, but it is slowly growing in popularity. Approximately one in ten Swedes now holds private health insurance. Their primary motivation is to minimize waiting times, which can be pretty long in public hospitals.
In addition to shorter wait times, care in private facilities is also more private and more comfortable. You can expect a private room with a range of amenities and a high level of service.
Private hospitals operate independently of the public healthcare system. They have no waiting lists, and private insurance companies fund some.
Before you visit, check with their payment procedures. Some require you to pay up front and then receive reimbursement from your own insurance provider later.
Who is Eligible for Care
Anyone visiting Sweden can receive medical treatment at any public facility. However, if you don’t have your own travel medical insurance, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for treatment.
Visitors from the EU or EEA can receive the same treatment as residents, provided they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC is available at no charge, but you must apply for it before you leave your home country.
Expats who are permanent residents of Sweden or who are in Sweden on a work permit are also eligible for public health insurance.
Healthcare Options for Expats and Foreigners
Expats and foreigners who are in Sweden legally, either as permanent residents or long-term visitors with a work permit, are eligible for public health insurance coverage.
The first step is to obtain your residency permit. The second step is to get your Swedish tax identification number, which serves a similar purpose to a social security number in other countries.
Once you obtain this, you need to visit your local healthcare center to register for a health insurance number and to enroll with a doctor.
Enrollment in the public health insurance plan is not mandatory. However, doing so is a good idea, as it costs you nothing.
However, if you want, you can carry your own private health insurance, either to cover the entirety of your medical needs or to augment the care received from the public program.
Best Healthcare in Sweden for Expats and Foreigners
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Best Healthcare for US Citizens Living in Sweden
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Challenges and Changes
As Sweden faces an aging population and a large cohort of senior citizens, this will cause considerable strain on the healthcare system’s resources. An estimated 1 in 5 Swedes is over the age of 65, the highest percentage in all of Europe.
Compounding this situation is the fact that Sweden is experiencing negative population growth. Large families are no longer the norm, and thus, the base of future taxpayers is slowly shrinking, all while the system’s capacity faces strain.
Maintaining the ongoing efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the healthcare system is a serious political concern.
Nowhere is that concern more evident than in the frustration surrounding waiting times. Under Swedish law, patients are entitled to wait no more than 90 days to see a specialist or undergo surgery.
But in reality, a third of patients wait longer than that. Compounding the situation is that the wait times vary dramatically from county to county.
And while some counties might be slow in offering one type of service, they may excel in providing another. There’s an absolute lack of uniformity, which angers patients.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
View
Full Bio
