Do you need travel insurance for Sweden? Fees & Requirements
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Sweden?
Travel insurance for Sweden is not legally required for Americans on journeys less than ninety days. Still, it's strongly advised. Whether you seek a Schengen Visa (for stays over ninety days or specified purposes), travel insurance is necessary.
Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Without a visa for travel, business, or family visits, US citizens can visit Sweden for up to 90 days within 180 days. A residence permit is needed after ninety days or for employment or education. Depending on their nationality, U.S. Green Card holders could need a Schengen Visa; go to the Swedish embassy's website for further criteria.
Travel Insurance Requirements for Schengen Visa
If you need a Schengen Visa, your travel insurance must meet these criteria:
Minimum coverage of €30,000 (approximately USD 32,000) for medical expenses.
Medical repatriation coverage; emergency medical treatment; repatriation of remains coverage.
Validity anywhere across the Schengen Area nations.
Coverage throughout your stay's whole length.
Travel Medical Insurance Covers emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription drugs, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains. It is essential for unexpected health issues abroad.
Trip Cancellation Insurance: Protects your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for covered reasons (illness, severe weather, etc.). "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) upgrades offer more flexibility but come at a higher cost.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Combines travel medical and trip cancellation coverage, often with additional benefits like trip interruption, lost baggage, and travel delay coverage.
Cost of Travel Insurance for Sweden
Travel insurance costs vary based on age, trip duration, coverage limits, and add-ons.
Simple plans emphasizing medical coverage might begin at just $5 daily.
Usually ranging from $11 daily and above, comprehensive plans, including trip protection, also vary.
On average, you'll pay $53 to $200 for a week's coverage; for two weeks, you'll pay $9 to $80.
Six-month coverage for a forty-year-old may go from $122 to $1,050. These are approximations; always use a travel insurance comparison tool for precise rates.
Travel Insurance for Senior Citizens
Many businesses provide senior-specific custom plans. When you get a quote, mention any pre-existing medical issues. Specific plans have age restrictions; people over 80 may pay more premiums. Plans like the Patriot International Lite or the Atlas International are often suggested as good choices for seniors under 80. The Safe Travels Outbound package could be suitable for persons over 80. Plans from several firms, like American Visitor Insurance, which offers coverage, especially for senior visitors, should be compared.
Health Insurance in Sweden
Although Sweden boasts universal healthcare, it is not free even for citizens. Non-EU residents will pay out-of-pocket expenses without travel insurance, whereas EU residents may use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medically essential treatment. These expenses are high, particularly for hospital stays or emergency treatment. Medicare and other US health insurance policies note that they have limited or no coverage in Sweden.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
In 2024 or 2025, American visitors to Sweden will likely have to request ETIAS clearance. Like the US ESTA, ETIAS is a pre-travel approval mechanism for brief visits (up to 90 days). If you need a Schengen visa, ETIAS is not a visa and does not substitute the necessity of travel insurance.
| Provider/Plan | Mandatory? | Coverage Type | Medical Coverage | Evacuation Coverage | Trip Cancellation/Interruption | Other Benefits | Cost | Requirements/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | No | Trip & Medical (Cruise, Single, Annual) | Up to $150,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to 100% (cruise), up to $30,000 (single) | CFAR available, baggage delay | From $206 | CFAR not on all single plans |
| AXA Assistance USA | No | Trip & Medical (Silver, Gold, Platinum) | Up to $250,000 | Generous | Up to 100%/150% | Lost sports equipment, baggage delay/loss, trip delay | From $218 | CFAR only on Platinum plan (up to $50,000) |
| AIG Travel Guard | No | Trip & Medical (Deluxe Plan) | High limits | High limits | Yes | Baggage coverage, adventure sports bundle | 5-7% of trip cost | Recommended for older travelers |
| C&F Travel Insured | No | Trip & Medical (Protector, Protector Edge) | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | Yes, job loss included | CFAR (Protector Edge), IFAR, frequent traveler rewards, child discounts (Protector Edge), free coverage for kids (Protector) | Variable, see examples | Claims processing issues reported |
| Tin Leg | No | Trip & Medical | Covers pre-existing conditions (with waiver) | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to 100%/150% | COVID-19 coverage | Variable, see examples | Pre-existing condition waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment |
| WorldTrips | No | Trip & Medical (Atlas Travel, Atlas Journey) | COVID-19 expenses covered | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (Atlas Journey) | Customizable add-ons, Crisis Response, political evacuation | From <$1/day | Affordable premiums, limited coverage unless upgraded |
| Trawick International | No | Trip & Medical (5 plans + build-your-own) | Covers pre-existing conditions (most plans) | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (some plans) | CFAR, IFAR, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay/Loss | Low premiums | CFAR/IFAR available on some plans, restrictions apply. |
| World Nomads | No | Trip & Medical (2 plans) | $100,000 | Up to $350,000 | Yes | 300+ sports and activities covered, post-departure purchase available (72 hr. waiting period) | Variable, depends on plan and trip | No pre-existing condition coverage |
| AXA Schengen | Yes (Schengen Visa) | Travel Medical | €100,000 | Yes | Yes | 24/7 assistance, COVID-19 coverage, no age limit, zero deductible | From €33/week | Covers all Schengen Area countries |
| Allianz Care Flexicare | No | Short-Term International Health | Hospital visits, surgeries, prescriptions, cancer treatment, diagnostic tests, GP visits | Yes | No | COVID-19 coverage, repatriation | Variable, depends on duration & coverage | 3, 6, or 9 month policies |
| ERV Visitor Insurance | Recommended | Travel Medical | €30,000 per incident/condition | Yes | No | Acute dental treatment, travel related to medical care | 100 SEK (Day 1), 19 SEK/day after | For visitors up to 70 years old, excludes pre-existing conditions, SEK 1,000 deductible |
| Kammarkollegiet (Insurance for Foreign Visitors) | No | Travel Medical & Personal Liability | Emergency medical and dental | Repatriation/Emergency Evacuation | No | Personal liability, legal assistance, personal property coverage (SEK 1,500 deductible) | Varies | For foreign visitors invited by Swedish state authorities/universities; covers Schengen area with valid Schengen visa (Sweden only with residence permit); available as individual or group insurance. |
| Auras Travel Insurance | No | Travel Medical, other options | $35,000-$1,000,000 (various deductible options) | Yes | Optional | COVID-19, repatriation, baggage loss/delay, loss of documents, personal liability, etc. Various add-ons available (skiing, alcohol-related incidents, etc.) | From $1.50/day | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| InsureMyTrip | No (recommended) | Trip & Medical, CFAR | $50,000+ recommended | $300,000+ recommended | Yes, CFAR optional | Baggage, trip delay | Variable | Comparison tool |
