Health insurance renewal in Sweden
How to renew health insurance — how it works anywhere
Renewing a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Sweden primarily involves confirming eligibility with Försäkringskassan and applying online or by phone. The card is typically valid for three years and can be renewed before its expiry.
It is generally advisable to apply for a new European Health Insurance Card a few weeks before the current card expires. This allows sufficient time for processing and delivery, ensuring continuous coverage, especially if travel is planned.
Start 14 days ahead
Processing and delivery time for the card. It's recommended to apply a few weeks in advance of planned travel or card expiry.
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The process
- 1Verify current eligibility for Swedish social insurance benefits, as this is a prerequisite for the EHIC.
- 2Check the expiry date on the existing European Health Insurance Card.
- 3Visit the Försäkringskassan website or contact them directly.
- 4Apply for a new card, which can often be done through their e-service by logging in, or by phone.
- 5Wait for the new card to be delivered by post to the registered address.
What to bring
- Previous European Health Insurance Card (for reference, though not always required for application)
- Identification details (e.g., BankID for online login, or personal number for phone applications)
Who handles it
Försäkringskassan (Swedish Social Insurance Agency)
https://www.forsakringskassan.se/
The European Health Insurance Card is issued free of charge by Försäkringskassan.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure your address on file with Försäkringskassan is current, as the card is mailed to your registered address.
- Eligibility for the card depends on being covered by Swedish social insurance, which typically requires being registered and residing in Sweden.
- The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance; it only covers medically necessary care in other EU/EEA countries and Switzerland at the same cost as a resident there.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
Don't rely on remembering
Renewals here take about 14 days to start. Add this document and Duratum will tell you when that window opens.