Social Security
Registration
Employees must have a permanent or temporary residence permit (uppehållstillstånd) and be insured in Sweden to receive benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). Being insured in Sweden means that the employee is covered by the Swedish social insurance system and is entitled to various kinds of benefits such as child allowance and sickness benefits.
Once the employee receives a personal identity number the employee should register with the Social Insurance Agency. The Social Insurance Agency decides whether the employee will be insured in Sweden and thus be entitled to benefits. The decision is based on information from the employee that needs to be submitted online with mobile BankID or in a special form.
Healthcare
Non-EU or non-EEA citizens
Citizens from a non-EU or a non-EEA country planning to stay in Sweden for more than a year and registered in the Swedish population register are entitled to the same health benefits as Swedish citizens. The Swedish healthcare system is run by the counties (regioner) that provide subsidised care, although a small fee is charged for most services . In Sweden, the public healthcare system covers everybody registered in the Swedish population register and there are also private healthcare options.
Non-EU or non-EEA citizens staying in Sweden for less than a year or employees having a temporary coordination number will not have automatic access to Swedish healthcare and must arrange for their own insurance coverage. However, the employee will always have access to emergency care.
EU/EEA citizens
Citizens from any of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland should register for a European Health Insurance Card in their home country before coming to Sweden. This card gives the individual the right to medical care at the same costs as Swedish citizens.
If a European Health Insurance Card has not been obtained in the home country and the employee will be staying in Sweden for less than a year the employee needs to arrange their own insurance coverage. However, the employee will always have access to emergency care.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens staying in Sweden for more than a year and having obtained a Swedish personal identity number are entitled to the same health benefits as Swedish citizens and pay Swedish patient fees.