What happens in Sweden if you cannot pay a hospital debt you did not know about until recently but willing to pay when your finances improve?
Last Updated: 20.06.2025 08:32
If you don’t belong to either group (i.e. you’re a tourist or illegal alien without travel insurance), they will send it straight to debt collection, who will then ask a collector in your country to collect the debt.
Hello, Norman Biddlecombe !
If you belong to the first group, the only possible “hospital debt” you could occur is about 100 SEK (about $10) paid at the door as an admission fee, and about 300 SEK (about $30) per day for food and lodging. If you can’t pay at the door, you will be sent a bill to be paid within 30 days. If it is not paid within that time, there will be a reminder or two. Then it will be sent to debt collection, unless you contact the region and ask for some delay. They’re usually understanding and nice.
Either way, it will be a lot less than what you would pay in the US.
If you belong to the second group, your insurance company will cover the cost, including admission fee, food and lodging, and then have you pay the deductible and copay and whatever.
The cost for actual treatment and care is paid by taxes for legal residents, and by the insurance company for tourists with travel insurance.