Students from EU/EEA/Nordic countries and Switzerland
Sweden has reciprocal agreements for healthcare with a number of countries within the EU/EEA. If you are a citizen of any of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, you should register for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your home country before coming to Sweden. This card gives you the right to medical care at the same cost as Swedish citizens. Please read the information available on the Study in Sweden and Applying for a card - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu) about the EHIC.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens – remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by the social insurance department in your home country.
Exchange students and EU/EEA-students
All exchange students are covered by another form of insurance through the University of Skövde, Student IN. This insurance covers emergency medical and dental care as well as some personal property. With this insurance, you are covered 24 hours a day from two weeks before the semester begins until two weeks after the semester ends, as well as during direct travel between your home country and Sweden. It does not cover, for instance, physical examinations, return visits or loss of property left in storage. We therefore recommend that you take out additional insurance to avoid facing unexpected expenses.
Terms and conditions for Student IN insurance
Non-EU/EEA citizens – international students
You will usually need to take out insurance before you arrive in Sweden. Health insurance is a requirement for a residence permit.
International tuition-paying students
Tuition-paying students are covered by a limited form of health insurance through the University of Skövde. This insurance (FAS) covers emergency medical and dental care 24 hours a day from two weeks before the semester starts until two weeks after the semester ends. It does not cover, for instance, student property, physical examinations or return visits. We therefore strongly recommend that you take out additional insurance to avoid facing unexpected expenses.
Terms and conditions for FAS Insurance
Taking out insurance before coming to Sweden
Students with a residence permit that is valid for less than one year are not covered by the Swedish social welfare system. If this applies to you, it is therefore very important that you take out some form of private insurance prior to arriving in Sweden. There are some reciprocal agreements between Sweden and other countries whereby all costs for medical care are covered. Please check with your local authorities to find out whether these agreements apply to you.
If there is no reciprocal agreement between Sweden and your home country, we cannot overemphasise how important it is that you obtain private insurance. Medical care is very expensive in Sweden. Talk to your insurance company about the type of coverage (health, accident, travel and theft) that would be the most appropriate for your stay in Sweden. Check with the Swedish Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information about the migration regulations prior to your departure for Sweden, as these can change at short notice.
General information about health insurance and medical care
Please read the information available on the Study in Sweden website.