Sweden
Sweden combines a world-class social safety net with a thriving tech sector, high English proficiency, and a structured immigration system for skilled workers.
Healthcare in Sweden — Expat Guide
Healthcare in Sweden is publicly funded through regional taxes and managed by the 21 regions (landsting/regioner). Expats with a Swedish personnummer and registered address are entitled to the same care as Swedish citizens. Before obtaining a personnummer, you are entitled to emergency care and urgent treatment — you will be billed at the same rate as residents.
How to register for healthcare
Healthcare in Sweden is publicly funded through regional taxes and managed by the 21 regions (landsting/regioner). Expats with a Swedish personnummer and registered address are entitled to the same care as Swedish citizens. Before obtaining a personnummer, you are entitled to emergency care and urgent treatment — you will be billed at the same rate as residents.
Public health insurers
Region Stockholm
runs Karolinska University Hospital, Södersjukhuset, and Danderyds sjukhus
Capio (private, publicly funded)
many primary care (vårdcentral) locations in Stockholm
Aleris (private, publicly funded)
specialist and primary care across Sweden
Praktikertjänst
largest private primary care network in Sweden
💰 Cost information
Healthcare is effectively free after reaching the high-cost protection threshold (högkostnadsskydd): SEK 1,300 per rolling 12-month period for medical visits; SEK 2,850 for prescription medications. Above these thresholds, all care and listed medications are free for the remainder of the period.
Emergency Numbers
Bridge insurance for new arrivals
There's often a gap between arriving in Sweden and getting enrolled in the public health system. During this window, you need private cover.