Health Care in Sweden

Pensions in Sweden

Before describing the state of health care in Sweden, you should know that, if you plan to retire to Sweden, make sure you have sufficient funds, as it is quite an expensive place to live. High taxes on your income and pension contribute to that state. You also have to budget for private health insurance. You have to have an income at least as great as the Swedish pension (around 6 850 SEK (£620.50)) per month by law.

Sweden has double taxation agreements with the UK so you will not be taxed twice, provided you ensure that the tax offices are aware of your circumstances. You can arrange to have your pension paid directly into your Swedish bank account, and still benefit from the increases as if you still lived in Britain.

Contact HMRC and your pension providers well before you leave the UK, or if you are working in Sweden ensure you know the pension conditions appertaining to your work.

Health Care in Sweden

Swedish healthcare is excellent, with parameters like infant mortality falling faster than in the UK.

Healthcare is the responsibility of the regional councils and private providers have a contract with them. If they do not, then you will not be reimbursed for treatment with them. So make sure you consult a doctor affiliated to the public insurance scheme, then you will be charged the same as a Swedish resident. Charges are not refundable and vary between SEK 100 to 150 (£8-12) per treatment. State-provided dental care is available from most dentists.

Inpatient hospital treatment is generally free, except for a daily standard charge of SEK 80 (£6.50), which is not refundable.

There is a patient fee for outpatient treatment which is not refundable.

Specialist care is charged at between SEK 200 and SEK 300 (£16-24).

Prescription medicine costs per year are not free but are limited for the patient. When SEK 2 200 (about £200) have been paid to the pharmacy, the medicines are paid by the government for the rest of the year. The ambulance service is free in most Swedish regions.

If you receive a UK state retirement pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state-funded healthcare paid for by the UK. You’ll need to apply for form S1 from the International Pension Centre (tel:  0191 218 7777). You need to register your S1 with the Swedish authorities. This entitles you to an EHIC issued by the UK which allows access to medical care in other EEA countries, including Britain.

You might be wise to KEEP YOUR OWN ACCURATE AND DETAILED MEDICAL RECORDS! One good thing for us is that many doctors speak good English and are happy to practise it.

The NHS website gives excellent advice and up-to-date information(http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad).

Click here for a free quotation of removal to Sweden.