Social insurance in Sweden is based on whether you live and/or work in Sweden.
If you live in Sweden for a period of more than a year you are normally insured for residence-based benefits.
If you work in Sweden you are normally insured for employment-based benefits. This applies to you as an employee, contractor or self-employed person.
The residence-based benefits are primarily:
If you have children
- Parental benefit at the lowest level and basic level
- Child allowance
- Maintenance support
- Housing allowance
If you are a pensioner
- Housing benefit for pensioners [housing supplement for pensioners]
If you have functional disabilities
- Assistance allowance
- Disability allowance
- Care allowance for disabled child
If you become ill or are injured
- Rehabilitation and special allowance
- Guarantee benefit
The employment-based benefits are primarily:
If you are pregnant
If you have children
- Parental benefit according to sickness benefit level or basic level
- Temporary parental benefit
If you are a pensioner
- Income-based old age pension
If you become ill or are injured
- Sickness benefit
- Rehabilitation and rehabilitation allowance
- Occupational injury allowance, income-related sickness compensation or activity compensation
If you are a surviving relative
For information on all types of benefit as well as conditions regarding eligibility for benefits and benefit levels contact www.forsakringskassan.se
Eligible for benefits?
The fact that you are insured does not mean that you have an automatic right to a residential- or employment-based benefit. To receive a benefit you must also comply with the conditions for the benefit you are seeking. If, for example, you apply for parental benefit your eligibility is determined according to the rules that apply to this benefit. The possibility for getting benefits paid to you while you are abroad is limited.
Cessation of insurance
Your residence-based insurance ceases when you are no longer resident in Sweden. Your employment-based insurance usually ceases three months after your work in Sweden is considered finished. In certain cases the insurance period can be longer or shorter than three months.
Försäkringskassan (The Swedish Social Insurance Agency) determines
- Whether you are insured for housing and/or employment-based benefits, and
- Whether you are eligible for the benefit you are seeking.
The Swedish Social Insurance Agency makes a decision when you have applied for a benefit, for example housing benefit or sickness benefit.
Application to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency
If you come to Sweden without being registered in the population register you must register with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. If you come to Sweden to work you can report this to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.
If you move from Sweden to live elsewhere or if you begin work in another country, you must report this to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency since this can affect your entitlement to benefits.
Special rules for certain groups
Special conditions apply to certain groups in order to be insured for housing benefit and/or employment-based benefits. Contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency for further information.
Special regulations apply to you if
- you are employed in Sweden and are sent by your employer to another country to work there
- you are employed as a civil servant in Sweden and are sent by your employer to another country to work there
- you are employed in another country and are sent to Sweden to work here
- you are employed as a civil servant in another country and are sent to Sweden to work here
- are a diplomat etc.
- you are an aid worker etc.
- are a student and you travel to another country to study there
- you are a student and have come to Sweden to study here.
- you work onboard ship.
The special regulations apply also to family members for some of the above groups. Contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency for further information.
Who provides the services?
Försäkringskassan manages the social insurance benefits in Sweden. www.forsakringskassan.se
The unemployment insurance in Sweden is managed by independent unemployment insurance funds. You can find information on insurance and unemployment offices through Inspektionen för Arbetslöshetsförsäkringen , The Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board.
www.iaf.se
The premium pension that is part of the old age pension is administered by Premiepensionsmyndigheten, the Premium Pension Authority.
www.ppm.nu
Contact the relevant authority for more information.
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