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?
16.06.2025 00:34
The cost for actual treatment and care is paid by taxes for legal residents, and by the insurance company for tourists with travel insurance.
Either way, it will be a lot less than what you would pay in the US.
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.
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.
Hello, Norman Biddlecombe !
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.