Healthcare

Healthcare when traveling abroad can be obtained with different conditions for compensation, depending on which country you are staying. However, there is a lot you can do to prevent health problems when traveling abroad. This article largely reflects the conditions that apply to Swedish citizens traveling abroad.

First aid

As a traveler, you should always carry a simple first aid kit with you.

First aid for travelers

Environmental and site-related problems

Different places on earth can cause different problems:

Diseases

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the world and a major problem. Other parts of the world have their corresponding risks:

Food poisoning
Tropical diseases (until a Wikivoyage-adapted article is created, see the post on tropical diseases on Wikipedia)
Malaria (until a Wikivoyage-adapted article is created, see the post about malaria on Wikipedia)
Mosquitoes (until a Wikivoyage-adapted article is created, see the posts about mosquitoes, gnats and stingrays on Wikipedia)
Cold damage (until a Wikivoyage-adapted article is created, see the post on cold damage on Wikipedia)

Travel insurance

In order to receive medical care, it is important to have a valid travel insurance. A travel insurance is a special agreement between an insurance company and a traveler on financial compensation in the event of illness, accident, etc. dyl. when traveling abroad or in the home country. The home insurance usually includes a travel insurance for up to 45 days.

European Health Insurance Card

Fr.o.m. When traveling in the EU / EEA and Switzerland bring the European Health Insurance Card, the EU Card. This card entitles you to medically important healthcare benefits during a temporary stay in another EU / EEA country. Also note that in Switzerland and Liechtenstein You must be a citizen of another EU / EEA country or of Switzerland to receive this healthcare. The EU card must be presented, together with a valid ID document (eg passport) immediately when visiting the caregiver. The card is individual, which is why all travelers, regardless of age, must have their own card. You do not need to bring the card when traveling in the Nordics.

The card is valid for three years. If for some reason you do not have the EU card with you, you can ask the care provider or the local equivalent Försäkringskassan to contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency in Sweden. Försäkringskassan can then fax over a provisional certificate to the care provider.

EU countries

EEA countries

Countries with special agreements

Switzerland

Foreign care

The right to medically necessary care means that you must be able to stay in another EU / EEA country or Switzerland under safe medical conditions. Please note that in order to receive compensation for the care received, the care must be considered as necessary. This does not mean right all care. If the care can wait until you are back in Sweden, it is not considered necessary. This assessment is made by the treating physician or other healthcare professionals. The assessment is based on the type of illness in question and the length of stay.

One has not right to compensation for planned care, i.e. if the purpose of the trip is to seek care abroad.

You have the right to this

drug
hospital care
dental care, medical care

You are entitled to the above, provided that it is such care that is provided within the framework of the healthcare system in the country you are visiting. You also have the right to care caused by a chronic illness, e.g. sampling or medical check-up / follow-up.

You are NOT entitled to this

Care at a private doctor or at a private hospital
additional expenses for home travel, e.g. by ambulance flight.

In order to get the above, a private travel insurance is required.

Care fees

You have the right to care on the same financial terms that apply to citizens insured in the country you visit. If a patient fee is charged, you pay as much as "everyone else". In some countries, however, you must pay the full cost of care first, in order to subsequently seek compensation from the country's equivalent to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

In order to be entitled to compensation, you must seek care from a care institution that is connected to the country's general health care system. You are not entitled to compensation for private care.

If for some reason you still have to pay the full care fee, e.g. if you have only been able to apply for private care or if you have forgotten your EU card at home, there is a certain possibility of getting expenses reimbursed after returning to Sweden. An application for this is made to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, which also examines the right to compensation. Always save receipts!

Special travel insurance

You must pay the costs yourself if you need special transport home to Sweden from a country outside the Nordic region. A special agreement applies to illness in the Nordic countries. Such costs can be reimbursed by a private travel insurance, so it may be a good idea to have one. However, you must always carry the EU card with you, as private insurance does not always replace the care you can get with the EU card.

Countries outside the EU / EEA area

You may be entitled to certain care in countries outside the EU / EEA area. These countries are called convention countries and Sweden has entered into special agreements on healthcare with them. In order to be entitled to medical care in these countries, you must bring a special certificate that you can get from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

States Parties

Algeria. If you are a Swedish or Algerian citizen and become ill during a temporary stay in Algeria, you are entitled to care within the general Algerian healthcare system.
Australia. If you are a Swedish citizen or insured in Sweden and on a temporary visit, up to one year, in Australia, you are entitled to free emergency care. You do not have the right to dental care. The care facility must be connected to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's Australian equivalent, Medicare. You have to pay the full cost of care yourself and then visit Medicare on site in Australia to be entitled to compensation afterwards. Before the care is performed, you must notify the caregiver that you want care under Medicare. If you are a student, you must take out a special insurance with the Australian state or a private insurance.
Canada. The state of Quebec in Canada grants the right to emergency care, including emergency dental care within the general care system. This applies if you are registered in Sweden and work or study in Quebec for less than a year.

Please note that in the case of care in convention countries, you are not entitled to compensation for patient fees.

Countries without agreements

If you become ill in a country with which Sweden does not have an agreement, you have not entitled to some compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. When traveling to such countries, you must always take out your own travel insurance.

Healthcare - Sjukvård

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