If you want to be an international student in Sweden, did you know that most schools require you to have health insurance to apply? So what are your best options if you’re just taking a short course? Or if you need a policy that is more than one year old? Take a look at the article below to find all the answers!
Health Insurance is a service that many students do not know they need, but it is very important to ensure a smooth and safe stay abroad. Also, you will likely need to present proof of medical coverage to enroll in the course!
With that in mind, I’ve put together the best insurance options for students in Sweden, along with information about student visas, most common courses, and the Swedish healthcare system.
Check out!
Table of Contents
- 1 Why should international students in Sweden have health insurance?
- 2 What student health insurance is required for a student visa in Sweden?
- 3 The 5 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students in Sweden
- 4
- 5 2 International Health Insurance Companies That Can Also Be Used by International Students in Sweden
- 6 Table comparison of the 7 best health insurance plans for international/exchange students in Sweden
- 7 What types of courses can foreign students apply to Sweden for and how?
Why should international students in Sweden have health insurance?
The main reason to take out health insurance is to ensure that you are covered in case you need any medical care in your new country of residence.
All international students studying in Sweden must be covered by public or private health insurance. Many international students are eligible to participate in Sweden’s universal health care coverage, although this depends on factors such as age, country of origin and duration of your degree program.
However, this is nothing new for anyone, right? In addition to this reason, there are others that I consider relevant that I will explain below.
The right international student insurance plan for you depends on how long you will be studying in Sweden, whether you will need a visa (and, if so, what insurance requirements you need to meet), whether you will be eligible for the national system healthcare in Sweden, as well as your personal situation and choices.
And all this brings us to the next point…
What student health insurance is required for a student visa in Sweden?
If you are in doubt, know that health insurance is mandatory to study in Sweden.
Expats living in Sweden can apply for health benefits in two ways: Universal Health Insurance and private health insurance.
To learn more about the types of courses you can study in Sweden and the visas you need, continue reading the article after the list of the best international health insurance for international students in Sweden.
As always, I recommend you do a quick quote online with all the companies I suggest here. It might take a little time, but you can end up saving a lot of money at the end of the day!
The 5 Best and Cheapest Health Insurance for International Students in Sweden
1. International Student Health Insurance by IMG 
IMGlobal offers a variety of insurance plans for students (as well as insurance plans for expats more generally).
They offer three different insurance plans specifically made for students. But since one of them is just for students studying abroad in the United States (The Patriot Exchange Program), we’ll just talk about two of them here.
Plan #1: Student Health Advantage
This program should be enough to meet any requirements your school has for health coverage (though do make sure you check the minimum coverage required by your school first!).
This particular plan covers a lot of things that many others don’t – including mental health disorders, maternity care, and pre-existing conditions. IMG also covers COVID-19 like any other illness and injury that are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
Plan #2: Student Health Advantage Platinum
This plan is the same as the one above but offers double the maximum coverage: $1,000,000
What I like about IMG’s International Student Insurance:
- These plans are designed specifically for students
- They cover students of all nationalities
- They have more than 17,000 healthcare providers for you to choose from around the world
- Their have 24/7 customer service
- They cover COVID-19 and telemedicine consultations
What I don’t like about IMG’s International Student Insurance:
- For some of their plans, there is a 1-year waiting period for pre-existing condition coverage
2. International Health Insurance for Cigna Global Students 
Cigna Global, one of the largest health insurance companies in the world, offers plans for travelers, expats, and (of course!) international students.
They offer 3 main plans: Silver, Gold and Platinum. These plans will cover you not just in Sweden, but in the entire world! And if you have plans to visit the United States during your stay in Sweden, you can choose to be covered there as well (though this will make your policy a bit more expensive, so it may be better to just get a short travel insurance policy for your visit to the U.S.).
Here’s a table comparing your plan options:
Cigna plans are really flexible and let you add on whatever you need (including things like dental and eye treatments or International evacuation and crisis assistance).
The company also has a flexible payment policy and offers several options such as annual, monthly and quarterly payments.
What I like about International Health Insurance for Cigna Global Students:
- They respond to claims quickly (according to the company, 95% of refund requests are received within 10 days)
- Their online help center gives you access to a list of more than 3,000 hospitals plus information guides
- They are partnered with more than 1.65 million hospitals, doctors, clinics, and specialists around the world (giving you plenty of options to choose from if you need medical care)
- They have 24/7 assistance to answer any of your questions
What I don’t like about the International Health Insurance for Cigna Global Students:
- Their most basic plan does not cover prenatal and postnatal care
- They don’t include coverage for outpatient consultations with specialists and doctors
Now Health International has established itself as a leader in the global insurance market, with a primary focus on delivering efficient and affordable plans that meet the needs of its clients.
One of the significant advantages of this company is its state-of-the-art customer service, which offers fast and convenient access to information.
All Now Health plans are specifically designed to address and resolve the unique challenges faced by individuals living in foreign countries, including international students and exchange students worldwide.
Moreover, these plans are customizable to ensure they align perfectly with all of your specific needs.
What I like about Now Health International Student Plans:
- Clear information and 24/7 customer service
- Coverage in over 190 countries and territories
- Various international insurance options and customizable plans
- Some plans offer coverage for maternity routines
What I don’t like about Now Health International Student Plans:
- In some procedures, Now Health works with a reimbursement system
- For plans with routine maternity coverage, you must wait a 12-month waiting period to access this benefit
4. WorldTrips 
WorldTrips is another provider that offers insurance for full-time students and scholars studying away from home (alongside the usual travel insurance offerings).
These are the 4 levels of student health insurance coverage they offer (all of which work great for Sweden!):
StudentSecure Elite
- Offers the lowest deductibles and the highest maximum coverage
- 6-month waiting period before a pre-existing condition can be covered
- Offers sports coverage for club/intramural/intercollegiate sports
- Covers personal liability
StudentSecure Select
- 6-month waiting period before a pre-existing condition can be covered
- Optional Crisis Response rider for ransom, your personal belongings, and crisis fees
StudentSecure Budget
- Pre-existing condition coverage begins 12 months after purchasing the insurance
- Mid-level benefits & higher deductible (for a lower monthly rate overall)
StudentSecure Smart
- Lowest cost plan (with the lowest benefits to match)
- Highest deductibles of all the plans
- Doesn’t cover club sports
- Can only cover a pre-existing condition on its acute onset
Here is a comparison of the 4 HCC StudentSecure plans (click to see full chart):
What I like about HCCMIS’ StudentSecure plans:
- They offer emergency dental care (in case of an accident) up to $250 maximum per tooth and $500 maximum in the certificate period
- They offer a savings plan if you pay your full premium in advance
- They are some of the most budget-friendly plans on this list
What I don’t like about the HCCMIS’ StudentSecure plans:
- There is no coverage for pre-existing conditions in their Smart plan
- There is a 6-month waiting period for pre-existing condition coverage (even in their Elite plan)
- There is no coverage for vaccinations unless you get the Elite plan
- There is no coverage for maternity and nursery care for newborns in the Smart plan
- Their lower-cost plans can have high deductibles
Visitor Coverage, established in 2006 in the U.S., is committed to streamlining the process of choosing travel insurance by offering customized and budget-friendly options for tourists, students, expats, and immigrants.
While the company doesn’t issue its own insurance policies, it serves as a broker, connecting customers with trusted insurance providers to ensure coverage during emergencies. Through its easy-to-use platform, travelers can quickly compare and buy insurance plans that fit their needs by providing a few simple trip details.
For international students, for example, users can input information like the destination, age, and nationality. The platform then suggests the best insurance options, displaying costs, coverage details, cancellation policies, extension options, and other perks. It also features ratings and comprehensive data on each insurance provider and their offers.
What I like about Visitor Coverage student insurance:
- You can compare the most reliable travel insurance on the market
- It brings together detailed information from several insurance companies
- Intuitive platform
- It shows options that suit each traveler’s profile and with different prices
- Support for insured students 24/7
- More than 18 years of experience and more than 1 million customers around the world
What I don’t like about Visitor Coverage student insurance:
- There is no insurance from Visitor Coverage itself
- Your exchange must last at least 30 days and a maximum of 1 year
- It does not cover the following destinations: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Mayotte, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Ukraine
Basic or Premium? Short- or long-term stay in Sweden? Alone or with the family? Regardless of what you need, you can find a plan with Foyer Global Health that works for you.
The company has 3 different plans. Here’s a quick snapshot at what each of these plans includes:
ESSENCIAL
- Consultations, surgery, and anesthetics
- Therapeutic devices (such as cardiac pacemakers) if necessary as a rescue measure
- Congenital diseases (up to a maximum of € 100,000 per life)
- Does not cover maternity and childbirth care
SPECIAL
- Consultations, surgery, and anesthetics
- Therapeutic aids and devices (such as artificial limbs and prosthetics) up to € 2,000
- Congenital diseases up to a maximum of € 150,000 per life
- Maternity and childbirth care (up to € 5,000 with a 10-month waiting period)
EXCLUSIVE
- Consultations, surgery, and anesthetics
- Unlimited therapeutic devices and devices
- Congenital diseases up to a maximum of € 200,000 per life
- Maternity care, childbirth care, and midwife or nurse services at the hospital (up to € 20,000 with a 10-month waiting period)
What I like about Foyer Global Health plans:
- All their plans include consultations, surgeries, and basic dental treatments
- They have 24-hour customer service by phone and email with experienced advisers, doctors, and specialists
- They offer evacuation and repatriation service
- They offer medical support and pre-trip advice (vaccinations, preparation of a first aid kit)
What I don’t like about the Foyer Global Health plans:
- Their most basic plan does not cover prenatal and postnatal care
7. Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International from Global Underwriters
Global Underwriters offers international health insurance plans for a wide range of travelers, including exchange students and study abroad students.
When it comes to GU’s plans, I recommend Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International for international students in Sweden.
What I like about Global Underwriters plans:
- Their student plans have coverage for medical evacuations, emergency dentistry, and repatriation of remains
- The Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International plans offer coverage up to $1,000,000
- They offer coverage and assistance in case of lost luggage and travel interruptions
- They have 24/7 customer service
What I don’t like about the Global Underwriters plans:
- Their Diplomat International plan does not cover Covid-19
- The Diplomat Long Term plan does not serve students residing in Australia and Iran, as well as New York, Maryland, South Dakota (though this won’t be a problem for you if you’ve changed your residency to Sweden!)
- Their plans can be a bit more pricey than the others on this list
2 International Health Insurance Companies That Can Also Be Used by International Students in Sweden
The two final companies I’ll list below don’t offer health insurance specifically for students abroad. That said, they do offer international health insurance that will (most likely) be accepted by your school or university as proof of coverage.
So here’s my advice to you: get a quote for these two companies below and compare it to the quote you get from the companies listed above. If you find that either of these two companies offers good coverage at a lower price than the other options, check in with your Canadian school or university if they accept this type of policy.
If so, this is a great chance to save money before venturing to your new home!
– Geoblue
Geoblue is another great option if you’re looking for a health insurance policy to cover you while you study overseas in Sweden.
What I like about Geoblue’s international health insurance:
- Their plans are very adaptable and flexible based on exactly what you need
- They have 24/7 customer service
- Some of their plans cover extras like evacuation, preventative medical appointments, and maternity care
- You can add on ophthalmology and dentistry care
- Their Xplorer plan has no maximum for medical coverage, covers extreme sports, doesn’t charge deductibles for standard services, and doesn’t have cancellation fees
What I don’t like about Geoblue’s international health insurance:
- They don’t serve residents of New York and Washington (though this may not be a problem if you change your official residence to Sweden!)
- You have to contact an insurance broker and speak to them personally to get an exact quote (which is pretty annoying)
– Aetna (acquired by Allianz)
Aetna is a well-known company in the field of health insurance.
One nice advantage of Aetna is that their plans are really flexible (you can customize based on whatever you need covered), and they have quite good customer service (as far as insurance companies goes, that is).
What I like about Aetna’s international health insurance:
- They’ve been in the health insurance industry for 5 decades
- They offer flexible and tailored plans
- They have 24/7 specialized service
- Most of their plans offer coverage for emergency evacuations, cancer treatments, repatriation, and hospitalizations
- They are an insurance company who has won awards such as as “Health Insurer of the Year” and “Best International Private Health Insurance Provider”
- They have an app that encourages clients to maintain healthier habits with a points and awards system
What I don’t like about Aetna’s international health insurance:
- Their website is not very clear about the exact coverage for some of their plans
- They don’t offer any kind of travel insurance plans
Table comparison of the 7 best health insurance plans for international/exchange students in Sweden
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| Medical Maximum | Unlimited (for the Platinum plan) | $5,000,000 | There are no limits independent of the plan | US$1,000,000 per year | $1,000,000 |
| Mental Health Benefit | Unspecified | Unlimited for up to 90 days | Included in all plans with a 10-month waiting period | Outpatient: $50 per day max up to $500 in total | Yes |
| Inpatient Prescription Drugs | 80% coverage out-of-network, 100% in the USA and internationally | Unspecified | Coverage available | Name-brand drugs: 50% coinsurance
Generic drugs: 100% coinsurance Special drugs: no coverage |
Yes |
| Outpatient Prescription Drugs | 50% of actual costs, 90 days maximum per dispensation | Unspecified | Unspecified | coinsurance
Generic drugs: 100% coinsurance Special drugs: no coverage |
Yes |
| Mental Health Benefit | Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan | Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum | None | Inpatient and Outpatient: limit not specified | Inpatient, outpatient, and therapy: limit not specific |
| Outpatient Prescription Drugs | None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option | Up to $8,000,000 | Full reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Repatriation of Remains | $25,000 maximum or $5,000 for cremation | Optional | Optional | $50,000 maximum or $5,000 for cremation | $13,500 maximum |
| Emergency Evacuation | $50,000 | Optional | Optional | $10,000 | Yes |
| Hospital room coverage | Offered up to the average semi-private room rate | Private room | Private Room | Usual | Usual |
| Terrorism | $50,000 | Unspecified | Unspecified | $100,000 | N/A |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD & D) | Principal sum of $25,000 that is not subject to deduction | $25,000 for main policy holder, $10,000 for spouse on the plan, $5,000 for child on the plan
Total limit of $250,000 |
Optional | $25,000 for main policy holder, $10,000 for spouse on the plan, $5,000 for child on the plan
Total limit of $250,000 |
There is coverage |
| Emergency Dental | $500 per injury for the coverage period | Optional | Optional | $2,500 | Yes |
| Maternity Care | Only covered in Platinum plan | $14,000/€11,000/£9,000 in the Platinum plan | Only available in the Special and Exclusive plans | Within the US: up to 80% coverage with a $25,000 limit within the PPO network/Outside PPO: up to 50% coverage with a $25,000 limit
Outside the United States: Up to 80% coverage with a $25,000 limit. Benefits reduced by 25% if pregnancy is not reported within the first 90 days. |
Not specified |
| Pre-existing condition exclusion period | Maximum limit of $1,500 with a 12-month waiting period | $14,000/€11,000/£9,000 in the Platinum plan | Coverage available | Limited of $250,000 per plan | Unspecified |
| Intensive Care Unit (ICU) | 100% coverage after the deductible has been met | Full coverage with the Platinum plan | Coverage available | Up to $50,000 | Not specified |
| Vaccines | Unspecified | Optional | Only in the Special and Exclusive plans | $200 | Yes, but must be paid as a separate plan |
| Routine care for newborns | Unspecified | Optional | Only in the Special and Exclusive plans | Up to $750 | Yes, but must be paid as a separate plan |
| Pre-existing annual maximum once covered | Unlimited depending on the plan | Up to $8,000,000 | Full reimbursement | Unlimited depending on the plan | Depends on the plan |
| Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered | Unlimited depending on the plan | Up to $8,000,000 | Full reimbursement | Unlimited depending on the plan | Depends on the plan |
Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*
Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC
*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.
What types of courses can foreign students apply to Sweden for and how?
Sweden is a country full of universities and many of them are present in the QS World University Ranking!
The main programs are divided into two types in Sweden:
Universities (university) offer degrees at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
university faculties (högskola) offer courses at undergraduate and master’s levels only.
Despite the difference, universities are not considered to be better than university colleges. The two diploma models have the same value. Most institutions are funded by the government, but some are funded by private institutions.
In Sweden you can do an undergraduate, master’s, doctorate or even a student exchange program if your university (in your home country) has a formal agreement with a Swedish university.
Student visas
If you plan to study in Sweden for more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit before moving to the country.
To apply for one of these, you will need:
pay your first monthly installment
submit supporting documentation, such as copies of your passport and university admission letter, as well as proof that you can support yourself financially
fill out an online application form and pay the application fee.
If you intend to live in Sweden for more than one year, you will also be required to register with the Swedish Population Register. It’s a good idea to apply for a Swedish ID card as well – this will make it easier to prove your identity at banks, stores and pharmacies.
How to sign up
For undergraduate and masters courses, you must submit your application via Sweden’s central application portal universityadmissions.se. You can apply for up to eight bachelor’s programs, or four master’s options.
In addition to completing an online application form, you will also need to submit documentation that proves your eligibility to study in the country. That includes:
diploma certificates
transcripts of any previous qualifications completed
evidence of your language proficiency (when needed)
a copy of your passport.
Consult the Swedish Board of Higher Education for more information on having foreign qualifications officially assessed.
Language requirements
Thanks to the variety of courses offered in English at all levels, you won’t need to be fluent in Swedish to study in the country. If you are planning to study a course in Swedish, you will need to prove that your skills are equivalent to high school level – by taking the Test in Swedish for University Studies (Tisus).
In short…
Once again, here are the 7 best and cheapest health insurance policies for international students in Sweden:
- Student Health Advantage from IMG
- International student health insurance from Cigna Global
- Now Health International
- StudentSecure from HCCMIS
- Foyer Global Health
Concluding
All in all… as you prepare for your time as an international student in Sweden, make sure health insurance isn’t a detail you forget about.
After all, you might not be able to apply to school without it… and you don’t want to be stuck paying out-of-pocket medical expenses!
If you still have any questions about these student travel insurance options in Sweden (or moving abroad in general), let me know in the comments area below and I’ll be happy to help!