Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Talita

There are several things you need to do before moving to another country – have a stay to settle down, look for jobs, understand the bureaucracy, buy your tickets, go after learning the new language…

But one task that people sometimes don’t remember or don’t know they need to do is insure their health insurance.

Sweden is an increasingly popular destination for expats. People from all over the world choose the country with a stable and prosperous life perspective, a country known for its liberal values, respect for traditions and high technology.

But aside from talking about your international health insurance options as an expat in Sweden, let’s first talk a little bit about how Sweden’s healthcare system works, what’s the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance, what coverage you will need, and much more.

(And be sure to stay until the end of the article to learn more about the different types of visas you can use to start living, studying or working in the European country!)

 

 

 

How does the healthcare system in Sweden work?

The Swedish healthcare system is decentralized, being managed and administered by the respective local authorities or municipalities. Health, medical and dental care are divided into public and private sectors.

 

In Sweden, the healthcare system is divided into public and private sectors. Public health is managed and provided by the county council, local authority or municipality.

The private health system is subdivided in two ways:

• Health services provided by a private company under contract with the county council, local authority or municipality. In the case of such a contract, the cost of private and public health care is the same.
• Health services provided by a private company without a contract with the National Health Services. As a patient, you are responsible for paying the full cost of any treatment and care you receive.

Before seeing a healthcare professional, I recommend that you make sure they are under contract with the National Health Services.

 

Do expats need to have health insurance in Sweden?

Simply put: yes! Healthcare in Sweden is mandatory for expatriates to have a resident visa or work permit.

So, it’s important that you insure yourself with one of the coverage I’ve selected from the list below 🙂

But in addition to being mandatory, an international health plan gives you more peace of mind. Especially being in a new country, different from your own, with laws, structures and a language you may not know, and unpredictable healthcare costs.

Therefore, having international health insurance coverage will give you the security that you are covered in any emergency or unexpected situation. In addition, there are several other benefits that you can get with an international plan (as I will say in the next question).

 

As an immigrant in Sweden, should you get an international health plan like the ones recommended in the list below? Or should you get a national plan?

So this is a choice that will be entirely up to you, as only you know your specific medical needs, the specific coverage you will need in your insurance, the length of your stay in Sweden and the options available from national plans.

An international health insurance plan must meet your in-country coverage requirements. If you choose to get an international plan, be sure to check with Swedish government embassies to find out if there is and what is the minimum insurance coverage required.

I’ve lived in Sweden so I know enough about national plans that might be available, and I’ll talk about them.

With that in mind, below are some of the reasons you might want to choose an international health insurance plan over public coverage:

• Compared to the costs you may incur, international health insurance may have cheaper monthly fees;
• International health insurance may be easier to use if your stay is short in Sweden, as you can choose exactly how long you want your plan to be;
• International health insurance has greater flexibility as you can cancel or extend it at any time;
• International health insurance provides coverage in other countries, not just Sweden (hence it’s “international” health insurance).

 

 

 

Who do these international health insurance policies cover?

The health insurance companies I have listed below are for the following citizens living in Sweden as expatriates, immigrants, workers, or even students:

• Americans
• Canadians
• Australians
• Brazilians
• European Union citizens (Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, Belgian, Swedish)
• Argentines
• British (English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish)
• New Zealanders
• And for citizens of almost any other country

In addition to expats/immigrants residing in Sweden, these companies also work for residents living in:

• The United States;
• Canada;
• Europe (European Union and United Kingdom);
• Australia;
• And for expats living in almost any other country in the world.

Overall, as they are international plans and companies, they can be used by virtually anyone anywhere as they have worldwide coverage!

 

Why can’t I take out travel insurance when I move to Sweden? What is the difference between travel insurance and expat insurance?

Travel insurance is important and necessary for any trip as it will not only cover issues you may experience in the event of emergencies and unexpected medical issues, but also for issues with your trip such as lost luggage or flight cancellations.

It is important to know that travel insurance is not ideal for immigrants. While it is possible to take out travel insurance for longer periods, it is only available to travelers staying temporarily in a country. Travel insurance coverage is not valid for someone who will be staying in another country for the long term.

Also, travel insurance will not meet your health insurance coverage required by law to live in Sweden.

So, you’re really going to want to choose an insurance plan that specifically covers expats. And that’s exactly what I’ll help you with the list below.

 

What are the 7 best health insurances for expats and immigrants in Sweden?

I know it’s stressful finding the right insurance plan. With that in mind, take a look at the comparison table of the companies I recommend below. So you can quickly see what the pros and cons of each company are and make the best choice for you!

After the table, I will make a longer description of each of the companies, their plans, main benefits and much more!

So the biggest advice I can give is to quickly get a quote with each of the companies on this list before making your decision. It might take a while, but at the end of the day, you can save a lot of money!

 

	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote	Get a Quote
BENEFIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT	LIMIT
Benefit Information
Medical Maximum	Unlimited (for the Platinum plan)	$8,000,000	The site doesn’t specify	Unlimited	US$1,000,000 per year	The site doesn’t specify	$1,000,000
U.S. In-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	100%	No	60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100%	Yes, for higher fees	Only in emergencies	Yes
U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance	You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100%	90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter)	Yes, for higher fees	100%	100%	100%	100%
Mental Health Availability	No waiting period	12-month waiting period	Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible	75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that	No	Waiting period of 10 months	Depends on the plan
Mental Health Benefit	Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan	Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum	Co-payment of $250 after deductible	100% up to 60 days		International and ambulance: limit not specified
Inpatient Prescription Drugs	$500 to paid in full depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Yes		Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drugs	None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option	Up to $8,000,000			Complete reimbursement	Yes	Yes
Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Yes	Up to $25,000	No	Up to 10,000 euros	Yes
Accidental Death & Dismemberment	Depends on the plan	Rider available, limit depends on age.		$50,000			Depends on the plan
Emergency Dental	Paid in full	Up to $8,000,000	Optional	1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth	Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan	Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited	It has coverage in the Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans
Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism	Up to the amount of the coverage	Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum			Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments
Amateur Sports	Unlimited	Rider available up to $10,000	No	Yes	No	No	No
Newborn Care
Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy	$25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan	$1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months	Yes		Depends on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan	Can be unlimited depending on the plan
Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy)	Only after the baby is 90 days old	Excluded	Depends on the plan		Excluded	No
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit	Check website for updated information	$250,000 maximum for first 31 days	No		Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days	No
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing condition exclusion period	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness	Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness
Pre-existing condition look back period	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date	Any time prior to the effective date
Pre-existing annual maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan
Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered	Unlimited depending on the plan	Up to $8,000,000	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan	Full reimbursement	Unlimited depending on the plan	Unlimited depending on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

 

Note: This article and table were created with information that was accurate at the time of its publishing. This information is subject to changes and updates.  

 

In my opinion, the best companies for international health insurance for expats are: 

1. Cigna 
2. IMG
3. GeoBlue
4. Aetna
5. Global Underwriters
6. SafetyWing
7. Foyer Global Health 

 

   1. Cigna 

First up, we have Cigna. Cigna is an insurance company founded in the United States that also has a large presence throughout Europe. And it’s a great choice to consider for international health insurance. 

With more than 6 decades of experience in the market, Cigna has worldwide recognition for its insurance plans and has more than 170 million clients around the world. Even my partner, Nikki, got a plan with Cigna herself so she was able to qualify for her Swedish resident card. 

Cigna has a large variety of plans for you to choose from, including plans made specifically for immigrants (and thus will work great if you plan to live or work in Sweden). 

They have both individual and family plans. One benefit of Cigna’s plans is that you can add benefits based on the specific type of medical care that you need to be covered.  

You have the option to choose from their Silver, Platinum, or Gold plans, all of which provide coverage in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. 

If you’re looking for a cheaper insurance plan to use in Sweden, Cigna’s Close Care plan is a great option. This particular plan is the cheapest that Cigna offers since its coverage is only valid in your country of origin and the country you plan to reside in.  

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Cigna: 

• Customer service is available 24/7
• You have the flexibility to make alterations and tailor each plan to exactly what you need 
• They have Covid-19 and PCR test coverage 
• You don’t need to make an online account to get a quote 
• They have a digital platform that can help you find hospitals and clinics to get care close to wherever you are 
• In most cases, Cigna will pay the health provider directly without you having to go through their reimbursement system 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Cigna: 

• Not all of their plans cover maternity 

 

 

 

   2. IMG

Another company recognized worldwide in the area of international insurance is IMG. They have more than 25 years of experience and have 3 subsidiaries around the world. 

IMG has many different types of plans for you to select, whether you need an individual or family plan. They also have a variety of plans made specifically for all types of travelers, immigrants included. 

On their website, you’ll see that they have plans both for short trips as well as for long stays overseas of 1 year or more. 

IMG’s website is intuitive and easy to navigate with filters for dates, plan duration, your destination, and much more to facilitate your search. Beyond these filters, you can also add additional personal details like your age and specific medical needs to see the best coverage options and detailed quotes.  

Just pay close attention to the details for each plan since they don’t offer coverage for all age groups and don’t all cover Covid-19 needs. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with IMG: 

• Customer service is available 24/7 
• Very flexible plans 
• More than 17,000 in-network doctors 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with IMG: 

• Depending on the plan, they don’t have Covid-19 coverage 
• They don’t have coverage for people 75 years and older 

 

 

 

   3. Now Health International

With a name that reflects its purpose, Now Health International strives to provide a service that is efficient, cost-effective, and easily accessible. The company places great importance on fostering a strong customer relationship. They present plan information in a transparent and efficient manner, and their dedicated customer support team promptly resolves any queries.

Now Health plans are specifically designed to meet the unique challenges faced by expatriates, offering guidance and ensuring the availability of high-quality healthcare worldwide.

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Now Health: 

• Customized plans according to your needs
• Clear information and excellent customer service team
• Provides coverage in 194 countries and territories
• Plans with high coverage routine maternity coverage

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Now Health: 

• You must wait a 12-month grace period to use maternity coverage.
• In some procedures, it is necessary to use the company’s reimbursement system, which means that you would have to pay for your care initially

 

 

   4. Aetna

Aetna is an award winner and leader in the area of international insurance. If you’re looking for safety and credibility in your insurance choice for your move to Sweden, Aetna is a good company to consider. 

Although they don’t have many plans available, the plans they do have are flexible and give you the option to add extra coverage as needed (like dental care). Their policies include coverage of up to 5 million USD, depending on the situation. 

You can choose between family and individual plans. And you can also include repatriation and medical evacuation coverage. 

For immigrants in a new country, I recommend the Aetna Pioneer plan. This plan has a “basic” coverage of up to 1.75 million USD. You just have to fill out the form on their website to get an exact quote and see detailed info about the available options. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Aetna: 

• Customer support available 24/7 
• Maternity coverage is included 
• Access to an app with all the important info you need + easy location of health services and providers 
• Plans for short, medium, and long trips are available 
• Pre-trip assistance with vaccines and regularly-used medications 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Aetna: 

• Not many plans to choose from 
• Price is above average compared to the other companies on this list 

 

 

 

   5. Global Underwriters

Global Underwriters is another popular company in the insurance world. They have insurance services that help expats, students, digital nomads, and immigrants with plans to start life somewhere else in the world. 

For someone that’s moving to Sweden, I recommend the Diplomat Long Term or the Diplomat International Plan. Both have complete medical coverage and generally tend to include everything an expat may need in their new home. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwriters: 

• Up to 1 million USD in medical coverage for the two plans listed above, plus an additional 1 million USD of coverage for accidental death or dismemberment 
• Customer support available 24/7 
• The plans I mentioned above offer coverage for dental emergencies, medical evacuations, and the repatriation of mortal remains 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Global Underwriters: 

• The Diplomat Long Term plan doesn’t support travelers in Iran, Afghanistan, or Cuba 
• The Diplomat International plan doesn’t have Covid-19 coverage 
• Global Underwriters doesn’t serve residents of Australia, Iran, South Dakota, Maryland, and New York 

 

 

   6. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a popular insurance choice for digital nomads, given that it offers health insurance plans specifically for remote workers and companies, expats, and digital nomads. 

One advantage of SafetyWing is that its policies are a little more accessible than some of the others on the market. They also cover children aged 2-10 for free if their caretakers have a plan. 

Each policy’s cost depends on the age of the policyholder. The cheapest plan doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, though it does have coverage of up to 250,000 USD. But you do have the freedom to add pre-existing coverage separately if you need it. 

What I like most about SafetyWing is that the company gives you 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days that you use the plan in another country, such as Sweden. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with SafetyWing: 

• Modern, intuitive website with easy access to information 
• Customer service available 24/7 
• 30 days of free coverage in your home country for every 90 days of coverage overseas 
• They have Covid-19 coverage and for Covid-19 treatments recommended by medical specialists 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with SafetyWing: 

• Their plans don’t include quite as many things as the other options on the list 
• The prices you see on their website don’t include taxes and fees 

 

 

 

  7. Foyer Global Health

Foyer Global Health is often a part of the conversation when we talk about international health plans for travelers, expats, digital nomads, and immigrants. 

Foyer is a company with a huge diversity in plans (perhaps the highest you’ll find on the market). And since it’s part of the larger European Foyer Group, it’s a company that can be trusted as well. 

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with Foyer Global Health: 

• All of the possibilities include coverage for dental appointments, surgeries, and treatments 
• Customer service by email and phone available 24/7 
• Offer support service for pre-trip preparations like vaccines and first aid kits 
• Option to add on evacuation and repatriation coverage  

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with Foyer Global Health: 

• The plan limits aren’t made very clear 

 

 

 

Bonus

 

   – GeoBlue

GeoBlue has spent the last 20 years offering insurance plans with international health coverage. 

But GeoBlue only offers insurance for citizens and residents of the United States. So if you’re not an American citizen or green card holder moving to Sweden, you can jump to the next option. 

That said, GeoBlue does have health plans for many types of travelers, including expats. The Xplorer Essential is the plan that I  most often recommend since it’s a plan for long stays overseas that also has unlimited coverage. 

If you’re looking for a shorter plan, try the Voyager. Just fill out the form on their website or reach out to an insurance broker to get a quote or receive more detailed info about their plans.    

 

Pros of an international health insurance plan with GeoBlue: 

• App with lots of resources and telemedicine support 
• Customer service available 24/7 
• Some plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions 
• All of their plans have unlimited coverage 

 

Cons of an international health insurance plan with GeoBlue: 

• Only available to citizens and residents of the U.S.A. 
• Plans aren’t very flexible 
• You need to fill out a form or contact a broker to get more info and specific quotes

 

 

 

Swedish Visa Types

 

Below are the types of visas most used by new immigrants when entering Sweden

 

There are only three types of visas in Sweden: the tourist visa, the business visa and the work visa. They are not required for stays in Sweden of up to 90 days for citizens of EU/EEA countries and many other countries, including the US and UK.

Citizens of other countries/territories are required to apply for an entry visa, with a maximum duration of three months, which can be extended. More information can be obtained by contacting the Swedish Migration Board

 

Requirements:

 

For non-EU citizens – work and residence permit (Uppehållstillstånd)

You must apply for a work permit and residence permit before arriving in Sweden. The application must be made online and the decision will have to be raised in the country of origin where you are located. In some cases and with certain nationalities, the residence permit and work permit can be withdrawn on arrival in Sweden at the migration council in Stockholm.

 

For EU citizens – residence rights (Uppehållsrätt)

The right of residence application can be applied for before arrival or within three months of arrival in Sweden. You cannot renew your right of residence, and it is valid as long as your employment contract is in force.

 

   a. Residence + work permit (Uppehålltillstånd)

Copy of your passport (must be valid for at least six months)

A completed and signed application form

Employment form (special form provided by the immigration council) completed and signed by your employer. The form must be signed by the Trade Union of Sweden.

Marriage certificate and copy of spouse’s passport (if you are married)

Copies of the children’s birth certificate and passports (if you bring children)

Fee: SEK 2,000 per transferee/SEK 1,500 per adult/SEK 500 per child (under 18)

 

   b. Right of residence (Uppehållsrätt)

A copy of your passport (must be valid for at least six months)

A completed and signed application form

Employment form (special form provided by the migration council) completed and signed by your employer in Sweden.

Marriage certificate and copy of spouse’s passport (if you are married)

Copies of the children’s birth certificate and passports (if you bring children)

Fee: Not required

 

In short…

Here are the 7 best health insurance companies for expats and immigrants moving to Sweden:

1. Cigna
2. IMG
3. Now Health
4. Aetna (Allianz)
5. SafetyWing
6. Global Underwriters
7. Foyer Global Health

 

Finally…

Starting a life in the land of dreams can be a complicated decision…I hope this article will help you to clear up many of your doubts and make the process easier! If you still have any questions about getting health insurance for your move to Sweden (or moving abroad in general), let me know in the comments area below and I’ll get back to you!

 

Planning your next trip?