Register with the Social Insurance Agency

Social insurance is an important part of the Swedish social security system. Swedish social insurance covers most people who live or work in Sweden. The social insurance system is administered by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). The purpose of the social insurance system is to provide financial security during the different stages of life. It provides financial protection for individuals, families and children with regards to illnesses and work-related injuries.

To be eligible for social insurance benefits, you must, as a general rule; either formally reside in Sweden or be employed and working here.

Please note that if you are a doctoral student and receive a scholarship or stipend, you are not covered by social insurance benefits even if you stay for more than 365 days. If you receive a scholarship or stipend for activities other than doctoral studies, you are not required to pay taxes in Sweden. In this case, you will not be covered by employment-based benefits.

Residence-based benefits

If your stay in Sweden exceeds 365 days, you are in most cases entitled to residence-based benefits. Examples of residence-based benefits are child allowance and housing allowance.

Child allowance

Children who are resident in Sweden are entitled to child allowance. It is paid starting from the month after the child’s birth, or from the month the child moves to Sweden. The child allowance is tax‑free and is paid up to and including the quarter in which the child turns 16.

Parental benefit

When a child is born, parental benefits are paid to the mother or father for 480 days. The days of parental allowance are divided equally between the parents. They can be transferred to the other parent, except for 90 days per parent that cannot be transferred.

Employment-based benefits

If you are employed in Sweden you are in most cases covered by employment-based benefits, which include, for example, sickness benefit and parental benefit.

Pregnancy benefit

Some work can be difficult or impossible to perform during pregnancy. This may be because the work is physically strenuous or because there are risks in the working environment. In such cases, your employer should reassign you to other duties. If this is not possible, you may be eligible for pregnancy benefits.

Temporary parental allowance

This benefit may be claimed by a parent to compensate for loss of income, for instance when a child is ill. It is paid for a maximum of 120 days per year until the child turns 12.

Register

You need to register with the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) before applying for compensation. It is recommended to do so as soon as you come to Sweden, as this may take a long time. Find out more about this process on Försäkringskassan's website.

To register, fill out the form 5456 Information when moving to or working in Sweden at Försäkringskassan's website. If you apply for European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) do so under section 6 of the form, otherwise the processing time may be longer.

Find contact information to Försäkringskassan at their website

Health and parental insurance for doctoral students with stipends

Uppsala University provides, through an agreement with the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet), insurance cover for doctoral students whose studies are funded through stipends.

The insurance covers loss of income if the doctoral student’s stipend is reduced during illness or parental leave. The insurance consists of three parts:

• Sickness benefit
• Parental benefit
• Temporary parental benefit

Find out more at Kammarkollegiet: Health and parental insurance for doctoral students with stipends