Healthcare services
Sweden has its healthcare services divided between different levels of services available to its residents. After receiving personnummer, register with Försäkringskassan to get health care and social security benefits.
Healthcare centres
Accessing health and dental care
Once you are registered in Sweden (and have received your personal number), you are entitled to the same healthcare services and fees as other residents of Sweden. Remember to take your Swedish ID when visiting any healthcare provider.
Prior to receiving your Swedish ID, it is advisable for EU/EEA citizens/residents to carry their EU Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and non-EU citizens should carry their residence permit.
EU/EEA citizens/residents are entitled to the same emergency health and dental care as Swedish citizens, provided they are covered by health insurance in their home country and can present an EHIC card.
For scholarship/stipend holders, refer to information regarding healthcare insurance coverage at KI.
Healthcare advisory service (Vårdguiden)
1177 Vårdguiden is an online and telephone (dial 1177) service which provides healthcare information, advice and services. Log in with BankID to access your medical record. You can search locations for medical care at Hitta vård.
Medical centres and local emergency centres
If you require non-urgent medical advice you should contact your local primary care medical centre (Vårdcentral). You can visit any Vårdcentral, but registration may be required on your first visit (or via 1177). Doctors can refer you for specialist treatment if necessary. For more information on primary care medical centre capabilities, visit Vårdcentral.
Local emergency centres (Närakuter) are open 8 am-10 pm for more urgent (but non-life-threatening) medical concerns.
Online medical care
Online resources for accessing primary care services and obtaining prescription drug refills include Alltid öppet, Doktor24 and Kry. They offer video consultations with physicians and basic medical advice either online or via mobile apps.
Urgent emergency care
For urgent medical issues or injuries, you should go to the accident and emergency clinic (Akutsjukvård), or a hospital (sjukhus). In the case of a serious emergency, call 112.
Local emergency centres (Närakuter) are available for minor injuries.
Dental care
Dental care can be expensive, with variable costs depending on the treatment required. In Sweden, you pay a large part of the dental care costs yourself. Those with a Swedish personal number and registered with Försäkringskassan are eligible for a dental care allowance (the amount is dependent on age). Detailed information on dental care categories is available on Vårdgivarguiden.
The public dental service (Folktandvården) is one of Sweden's largest dental care providers. There is also the KI Dental Clinic, General Dentistry Faculty Practice ("Lärarkliniken"). You can search for dental clinics on 1177.
Costs
Below are the costs for types of care (updated 2023).
Outpatient care
Visit to a vårdcentral (family doctor's office): 250 SEK
Emergency care
Visits to a hospital emergency department or specialist emergency room: 400 SEK
Specialist care
Visits to specialist doctors, hospitals or specialist clinics: 250 SEK
Dental care
Patients who have the right to necessary dental care, dental care as part of disease treatment (F-dental care) pay the same price as for other open healthcare: 250 SEK
High-cost protection means that the maximum you will have to pay for outpatient care is SEK 1,300 over a period of 12 months. After spending SEK 1,300, you will receive a free card.
If you are on a salary, at KI you are entitled to some compensation for medical treatment and prescription costs.
Private health insurance
Postdocs on a stipend with EU/EEA citizenship or residence permit need to present comprehensive health insurance in order to get a personnummer. Skatteverket does not accept health insurance for foreign visitors (Kammarkollegiet), which is for short-term visitors only. Postdocs on a stipend may have the option to pay for public health insurance in their home country and obtain the S1 certificate. However, in some cases, they may be required to purchase private comprehensive health insurance.
The private insurance must fulfil four criteria specified by Skatterverket. Skatteverket does not give advance notice of whether the health insurance will be accepted at the assessment of the right of residence, and cannot recommend any insurance company. Many of the private insurances available on the market have exemption clauses for chronic conditions, cancer, and maternity.
A few examples if private insurance companies offering health insurance include: Bupa Global, Cigna, Swisscare, AXA.
KI International Staff Services can offer more support.
Work-related health issues
KI employees are covered by personal injury insurance during working hours and travel to and from work, as well as travel insurance for work-related travel.
The KI site provides more information on what to do if you get sick.
In the event of any work-related health problems (e.g., injuries such as back problems or psychological issues) you can contact occupational health services. Postdocs are entitled to two appointments per year.
Moving with family
Family members with a personal number are entitled to healthcare services and subsidised costs.