Living Abroad

Healthcare in Sweden for UK Nationals: Personnummer, Patient Fees and the S1

2 min read

In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. What do you pay?
  3. How does the S1 work?
  4. Common mistakes
  5. FAQ
    1. How long does the personnummer take?
    2. Do I need a job to register for healthcare?
    3. Other countries?
  6. Key takeaways
  7. Related guides
  8. Sources

How do you access healthcare in Sweden? GOV.UK says you need to be registered as a resident in Sweden to access state healthcare. You register with your local Skatteverket (the Swedish tax office), which issues an ID card and a personal identity number (personnummer). GOV.UK says this takes 1 to 2 weeks. Note that GOV.UK last updated this guidance on 22 October 2021, so confirm current details.

Quick answer

  • Register as a resident with Skatteverket, then show your ID card and personnummer when using healthcare.
  • Anyone registered as a resident can register for state healthcare, whether employed, self-employed or not working. Dependants can be registered at the same time.
  • Proof of healthcare cover is needed before registering as a resident and when applying for a visa.
  • Patients pay towards their care, and costs vary by region.

What do you pay?

Item Amount GOV.UK gives
GP appointment 100 to 300 SEK
Paediatric appointment 200 to 350 SEK
Hospital stay 100 SEK
Yearly cap on some services 1,150 SEK, excluding dental care and hospital stays
Yearly cap on prescriptions 2,300 SEK

How does the S1 work?

You may be eligible if you live in Sweden and receive a UK State Pension or an exportable benefit. Frontier workers may also be eligible and should contact HMRC. Request a form from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. Once you have an S1, register it with Skatteverket and Försäkringskassan. You and your dependants are then entitled to healthcare on the same basis as a Swedish citizen. Dependants of a State Pensioner lose their cover once the pensioner begins claiming the UK State Pension.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to use state healthcare before registering as a resident.
  • Not carrying the ID card and personnummer.
  • Forgetting the caps exclude dental care and hospital stays.
  • Registering the S1 in only one place. GOV.UK names Skatteverket and Försäkringskassan.

FAQ

How long does the personnummer take?

GOV.UK says 1 to 2 weeks.

Do I need a job to register for healthcare?

No. Anyone registered as a resident can register, whether employed, self-employed or not working.

Other countries?

See Germany and the Netherlands.

Key takeaways

  • The personnummer unlocks state healthcare.
  • Fees are capped each year, with some exclusions.
  • S1 holders register with Skatteverket and Försäkringskassan.

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. The GOV.UK source was last updated in 2021, so confirm current rules with Swedish authorities.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: Healthcare for UK nationals living in Sweden

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