Försäkringskassan: Applying for Social Benefits and EU Cards

Moving to Sweden is a whirlwind of emotions. There's the thrill of a new adventure, the beauty of the fika culture, and the challenge of navigating a system that can feel, well, very Swedish. One of the first bureaucratic hurdles you'll encounter, and arguably one of the most important, is a government agency with a rather long name: Försäkringskassan.

If you've heard whispers about Sweden's incredible parental leave or its robust social safety net, Försäkringskassan is the institution at the heart of it all. But for many expats, it's a black box. What does it do? Am I eligible? How do I even start?

Take a deep breath and grab a coffee. As an expat who’s been through the process, I’m here to demystify Försäkringskassan for you. This guide will break down exactly what you need to do to get registered, claim your benefits, and order that all-important European Health Insurance Card.

What is Försäkringskassan, Really?

First, let's clear up a common misconception. Försäkringskassan is not your health insurance provider. It's the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Think of it as the administrator of the financial side of Sweden's welfare system. It's the agency that pays you when you're sick, when you have a baby, or when you need to stay home to care for a sick child.

Being registered with Försäkringskassan is your key to accessing the social security benefits that make the Swedish system so famous. It's a fundamental part of living and working here, and failing to register can leave you financially vulnerable when you need support the most.

Are You Eligible? The All-Important First Step

Before you can even think about Försäkringskassan, you need one magical item: a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer). This 12-digit number is your key to almost everything in Sweden, from opening a bank account to getting a gym membership. You get this by registering as a resident with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

Once you have your personnummer, you are generally eligible to be covered by the Swedish social insurance system if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You work in Sweden: If you have an employment contract in Sweden, your employer pays social security contributions for you. This is the most common path to eligibility for expats.
• You move to Sweden: If you are considered a resident of Sweden, you are typically covered. For EU/EEA citizens, this usually means you have a right of residence (uppehållsrätt). For non-EU citizens, it's tied to your residence permit.
• You are a family member: If you are the family member of someone who is socially insured in Sweden, you can often be covered as well.

It's crucial to understand that registration is not automatic. Just because you have a personnummer and a job doesn't mean Försäkringskassan knows you exist. You must be proactive and apply.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Registering

Ready to tackle the paperwork? The process is quite straightforward, but it requires patience. Based on the latest information in 2025, here's how you do it.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before you start, make sure you have digital copies (or physical copies if applying by post) of the following:

• Your Swedish residence permit card (both sides).
• Your passport (the page with your photo and personal data).
• Your employment contract (anställningsavtal), clearly showing your start date, role, and working hours.
• Proof of your personnummer from Skatteverket.

Step 2: Fill Out the Right Form

The form you need is titled "5456: Information when moving to or working in Sweden". You can find it easily by searching for "5456" on the Försäkringskassan website. It's available in both English and Swedish. This form asks for details about your living situation, employment, and any family members moving with you.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You have two options:

1. Online (Recommended): The easiest way is through the Mina Sidor (My Pages) section of the Försäkringskassan website. To log in, you will need a Swedish BankID, which is an electronic identification system. If you haven't set this up with your bank yet, make it a top priority.
2. By Post: You can print the completed form and mail it, along with photocopies of your documents, to the address listed on the form.

Step 4: The Waiting Game

This is where your Swedish patience (tålamod) comes in. Processing times for new registrations can be lengthy. As of early 2025, expats report waiting anywhere from 2 to 8 months for a decision. You can check the status of your case by logging into Mina Sidor. Don't panic if you don't hear anything for a while; this is unfortunately normal.

Step 5: Receive Your Decision (Beslut)

Once your application has been processed, you will receive an official letter (beslut) in the mail confirming that you are now registered in the Swedish social insurance system. Guard this letter with your life! You are now officially in the system.

Unlocking the Benefits: What You're Now Entitled To

So, you've done the paperwork and waited for months. What was it all for? Here are the core benefits you can now access.

Parental Benefit (Föräldrapenning)

This is the big one. Sweden offers one of the most generous parental leave policies in the world.

• 480 Days: Parents are entitled to 480 days of paid leave per child, to be used before the child turns 12.
• Income-Based Pay: For 390 of these days, the benefit is based on your income (up to a ceiling), typically around 80% of your salary. The remaining 90 days are paid at a flat, lower rate.
• Reserved Days: To encourage equality, 90 days are reserved for each parent and cannot be transferred.

Sickness Benefit (Sjukpenning)

If you become too ill to work, the system is designed to provide financial support.

• Day 1: This is an unpaid qualifying day (karensdag).
• Day 2-14: Your employer pays you sick pay (sjuklön), which is 80% of your salary.
• Day 15 onwards: If you are still sick after 14 days, you must get a doctor's certificate and apply for sickness benefit (sjukpenning) from Försäkringskassan.

Care of a Sick Child (VAB - Vård av Barn)

A lifesaver for working parents. If your child is sick and you need to stay home from work to care for them, you can claim VAB.

• You are entitled to compensation for up to 120 days per year per child until the child turns 12.
• The payment is approximately 80% of your income.
• You simply report it to your employer and then register the days on the Försäkringskassan website or app.

Here’s a quick summary of the main benefits:

Your Ticket to Europe: The European Health Insurance Card (EU-kortet)

Once you are officially registered with Försäkringskassan, you are eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), known in Sweden as the EU-kortet.

What is it? The EHIC gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.

What it is NOT:

• It is not a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to Sweden or lost/stolen property.
• It does not cover you if you are traveling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
• It does not guarantee free services. If locals pay for healthcare, you will too.

How to Apply This is the easiest part of the whole process!

1. Log in to Mina Sidor on the Försäkringskassan website.
2. Navigate to the section for the European Health Insurance Card (EU-kortet).
3. Click "Order Card" (Beställ kort).
4. Confirm your address.

That's it! The card is free and will be mailed to your registered address in Sweden within about 10 working days. It is typically valid for three years.

Pro Tips from an Expat on the Other Side

Navigating this system can feel daunting, but a few key strategies can make it smoother.

• Be Proactive, Not Reactive: The golden rule is to register with Försäkringskassan as soon as you have your personnummer and employment contract. Do not wait until you are pregnant or get sick. The long processing times mean you could be left without support if you delay.
• Embrace BankID: If you plan on living in Sweden, BankID is non-negotiable. It is your key to all digital government services, banking, and more. Get it sorted with your bank immediately.
• Keep Digital and Physical Copies: Save copies of your application, your employment contract, and especially your final decision letter. You never know when you might need them.
• Patience is Everything: The Swedish bureaucratic system is thorough but slow. Fretting about the processing time won't speed it up. Submit your application and try to put it out of your mind.

The Takeaway

Dealing with Försäkringskassan is a rite of passage for every expat in Sweden. It may seem like a complex maze of forms and acronyms, but at its core, it's the gateway to a system designed to support you through life's biggest moments—from the joy of welcoming a child to the challenge of an unexpected illness.

By understanding the process, being proactive with your application, and having a healthy dose of patience, you can successfully navigate the system and unlock the peace of mind that comes with being fully integrated into the Swedish social safety net. Welcome to Sweden—you've got this