Health insurance in Sweden

What does Swedish health insurance cover?

Swedish health insurance includes:

• medical treatment
• physiotherapy and other treatments
• hospital care
• prescription medicines
• dental care
• patient transport

Many employees are also covered by collectively agreed insurance schemes that provide additional protection. You can also choose to take out private insurance, either individually or through a group scheme.

Patient charges and high-cost protection

In Sweden, you pay a patient charge when you receive treatment through the public healthcare system. The amount is set by the region and varies depending on where you receive treatment.

There is a limit to how much you have to pay over a 12-month period. In 2026, the maximum amount is SEK 1,450. Once you reach the limit, you receive a high-cost card that entitles you to free healthcare for the remainder of the period. This scheme is known as högkostnadsskydd.

Please note that this form of high-cost protection does not apply to dental care.

The rules also apply to cross-border commuters who live in one country and work in another.

Subsidies for medicines and medical aids

If you work or live in Sweden, you are covered by the Swedish high-cost protection scheme for medicines.

The scheme limits how much you pay for eligible prescription medicines during a 12-month period. In 2026, the maximum amount is SEK 2,950.

High-cost protection applies to most prescription medicines and certain medical aids, such as contraceptives, ostomy products and medical equipment used for treatment.

When you purchase prescription medicines, the pharmacy automatically registers your purchases. This ensures that you receive the correct subsidy throughout the 12-month period.