How does the healthcare system work in Sweden?

What is the quality of healthcare in Sweden?

• Sweden is a world leader and has an extensive, universal health care system financed by public money. The quality of care is incredibly good and healthcare institutions are accessible to both Swedes and foreigners.
• The country has both public and private services.
• The Swedish health care system is strongly focused on prevention and health.
• Mental health care is also of good quality.
• Swedish hospitals have good facilities and the cost of a day in the hospital is a maximum of 10 euros.
• Some services in Sweden are completely free! Maternity care and cancer screenings are included, for example.
• Pharmacies (Apotek) are mainly found in cities. Most open in the morning between 8 AM and 9 AM and close again between 6 PM and 7 PM. Some remain open 24/7. For medicines you pay a small co-payment via the public system. Also note that you may need insurance.
• If doctors do not speak English, it is possible to get an interpreter. Everyone is entitled to this and this must be indicated when making an appointment. For emergency services, call 112. In cities, the ambulance will usually arrive within ten minutes. Due to the large distances between hospitals, the driving time for an ambulance can sometimes be longer than ideal if you live in a rural area.
• For non-urgent medical help, you can call the advice line on number 1177.

How does the public healthcare system work in Sweden?

• For the most part, healthcare is free or cheap for residents and expats in Sweden. There are often some costs for things like medical visits, dental care, medication. The public system covers about 75-82% of all costs. The costs are often reasonable and are capped at around 120 euros.
• Waiting times can be long for non-urgent care. Emergency care is fast.
• In general, people can choose which doctor, clinic or hospital they want to be helped by.
• Most healthcare is financed at a regional level, so the accessibility of certain care can vary by region. The waiting time for an appointment at a health centre may be a maximum of 7 days (you will usually be seen sooner), and for a specialist 3 months.
• As a resident of the European Union, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to temporarily gain access to public healthcare. Please note that this only applies to essential care; repatriation, for example, is not reimbursed. The same applies to people from the United Kingdom, but then with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• Universal healthcare is available to all residents, including expats. After you have obtained your residence permit, you can use your personal number (personnummer) to register with the public healthcare system. You will then be assigned a local healthcare centre (vårdcentraler). You can also visit other facilities within your region.

How does the public healthcare system work in Sweden?

• There are two types of private healthcare: healthcare offered through a contract with the government, which means that the costs are the same as in public healthcare, and healthcare without a contract, which means that it is more expensive and not reimbursed.
• There are not many of the latter. Patients who go here have to pay the full costs themselves.
• There is also virtually no difference in quality compared to public health care. However, waiting times are shorter.
• If you plan to use private care, it is wise to take out good international health insurance.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Sweden?

• The first care is provided by the family doctor and by nurses in health centres (vårdcentral).
• There are few private practices in Sweden. You can go to a vårdcentral for medical advice. This is a medical centre where several doctors, therapists, specialists and nurses work together. In Sweden, you cannot choose a family doctor unless you have private insurance. Otherwise, you simply have to use the services of the local vårdcentral.
• The waiting times in the medical centre are generally long.
• To be able to visit a family doctor, Swedes pay a relatively small amount of their own. Swedes with a chronic condition can go to the hospital without payment, with a ceiling of a certain amount. They do not have to be referred by the family doctor, but can contact the specialist in question directly. To make an appointment, call your health center or a private clinic. You can see a doctor within 7 days, usually faster at a private clinic.

How is the dentist arranged in Sweden?

• There are public and private dentists. Public dental practices are known as Folktandvarden.
• Dental care under the public system is free up to the age of 23 years.
• Adults receive an annual allowance for dental care and if you need special care you may be able to get it through the regional health authority.

How is pregnancy care arranged in Sweden?

• The maternal and infant mortality rates are among the lowest in the world.
• Giving birth is possible in public and private institutions. The difference is mainly in the cost and luxury.
• Sweden has one of the best maternity leave schemes in the world. Women get 420 days per child, of which 390 days are paid at 80% of your salary. It can also be divided between both parents, or taken in part until the child is 8 years old.
• Prenatal care and tests are free for Swedes and people with a personal number (personnummer).
• From 18-20 weeks, you register with a midwifery practice (barnmorskemottagning) where you usually also get your first ultrasound scans. This may be the only scan, as long as you have a healthy baby.
• The midwife comes about once a month as long as everything goes well.
• When you are going to give birth, you contact a birth coordinator. This person will arrange everything for you so that you have a smooth birthing place.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Sweden?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Sweden?

• Sweden is extremely safe. At most, you have to watch out for bears and moose in the wild.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Sweden?

• There are few major health risks, but there are a number of things to keep in mind.
• Due to the severe climate, winter-related health problems, such as winter depression, flu and even hypothermia, can occur more often. In forests and rural areas you may encounter ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease or TBE (tick-borne encephalitis).
• Tap water is safe to drink and food safety standards are high.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Sweden?

• Sweden has an excellent road network, even in rural areas.
• Most roads are toll-free, except in Stockholm and Gothenburg, where congestion charges apply.
• Snow and ice make winter tires mandatory between December and March. Bring snow chains when traveling to remote areas.
• Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
• Speed ​​limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 70-90 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways.
• Always drive with dipped headlights on, even during the day.
• In rural areas, elk and deer can be dangerous, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Sweden has an excellent public transportation system with trains, buses and ferries. The country is also bicycle-friendly, with extensive cycle paths in cities.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Sweden?

• Is the trip to and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Sweden if you are going to live there for a while?

• For some visa applications, it is mandatory to show that you are insured (especially if you are from outside the EU). And although the Swedish health care system is very good, in recent years more people tend to go for private health care because of the shorter waiting times. As an expatriate, you can get by just fine with the local health care system, although private insurance provides full coverage and also coverage for things like medical repatriation to your home country.
• Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.