dental care

new roots2 minutes

Dental care in Sweden is regulated, mostly private, and quality is high. Costs and access depend on your age and legal status:

  • Children and teens up to age 20: dental care is free until your 20th birthday
  • Adults with residence permits (EU/EEA or non-EU): receive a yearly dental subsidy, plus high-cost protection for expensive treatments
  • Asylum seekers / TPD holders: emergency care for adults; full care for children under 18
  • EU/EEA citizens: standard Swedish fees; EHIC may cover emergencies
  • Non-EU residents with permits: full care after registering with the population register

Knowing your rights ensures you get care without unexpected costs.

Sweden emphasises preventive dental care — regular visits are common and recommended.

As an international, your access and costs depend on your legal status: permanent resident, EU/EEA citizen, asylum seeker, TPD holder, or non-EU resident with a permit.

It’s important to read this article, to learn what’s what with Swedish dental care, and to save time and money.

All children and young adults get full dental coverage through the year they turn 19, including:

  • Routine checkups
  • Fillings and restorations
  • Braces (if medically necessary)
  • Emergency dental care

Free dental care for children is one of Sweden’s biggest family benefits, and it applies to children of all legal statuses, including asylum seekers and expat families.

Adults with legal residence (EU/EEA or non-EU) receive a government dental allowance (ATB) based on age: 

  • Ages 20–23: SEK 600 per year 
  • Ages 24–65: SEK 300 per year 
  • Ages 67+: SEK 600 per year

how it works

  • Automatically applied at the dentist
  • Can be saved for up to 2 years (SEK 600–1,200 depending on your age bracket)
example (age 30):
  • Checkup costs: SEK 900
  • Subsidy: SEK 300
  • You pay: (SEK 900 – 300 =) SEK 600

high-cost protection

Sweden helps with expensive dental treatments:

  • Up to SEK 3,000: pay 100%
  • SEK 3,000–15,000: pay 50%
  • Above SEK 15,000: pay 15%
example:
  • Total treatment cost: SEK 20,000
  • Payment breakdown:
    • First 3,000: 100% = SEK 3,000 
    • Next 12,000 (up to 15k): 50% = SEK 6,000 
    • Remaining 5,000: 15% = SEK 750 
    • Total paid: SEK 9,750

If you are a visitor or short-term resident, you pay full price out-of-pocket.

Who this includes:

  • Short-term workers
  • Visitors
  • Students staying under 12 months

You should:

  • obtain private health insurance
  • use travel insurance when possible

This changes things, a bit:

  • EHIC does not cover routine dental care (like check-ups, fillings, cleanings)
  • Only emergency dental care related to sudden pain or injury may be partially covered
  • Otherwise, you pay full price for dental visits

You should:

  • obtain private health insurance
  • use travel insurance when possible
adults (18+)
  • Urgent or emergency care only
  • Routine or preventive care not included
  • Fee: c. SEK 50 with LMA card
children and youth (under 18)
  • Full dental care, same as Swedish children
  • Free of charge
  • Adults should seek care promptly for emergencies
  • Children are fully covered to maintain healthy teeth

  • Dental care can be expensive, and prices vary between folktandvårder. Always ask what you will pay before agreeing to treatment
  • Prices vary between dentists. Ask for a price estimate before treatment
  • You can choose your dentist (either Folktandvården or a private clinic)
  • Dental subsidies are available. Adults may qualify for government support towards dental costs
  • Children's dental care is free until they turn 20
  • If you need urgent dental care, contact your dentist or an emergency dental clinic

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or local emergency services if needed.

  • Book a checkup every 1–2 years
  • Use your yearly dental subsidy before it expires
  • Ask for a cost estimate before treatment
  • Keep your EHIC or residence documentation handy at dental visits

↗︎ Swedish Social Insurance Agency — dental support 
↗︎ Public dental service (Folktandvården) Stockholm 
↗︎ Public dental service (Folktandvården) for the regions
↗︎ Register for a personnummer 

is dental care free?

It depends on your age and legal status. Dental care is currently free for children and young people up to age 20, with adults starting to pay from age 20 while receiving government support through subsidies and high-cost protection. 

how often should I visit a dentist?

Most dentists recommend a checkup every 1–2 years, depending on your oral health and risk factors. Regular checkups can help identify problems before they become expensive treatments.

can I use my yearly dental subsidy for any treatment?

In most cases, yes. The subsidy is automatically applied by the dental clinic and can be used for examinations, preventive care, and many treatments covered by the Swedish dental system. 

what happens if I don't use my dental subsidy?

The annual dental allowance can be saved for up to two years. After that, any unused amount expires.

does the european health insurance card cover dental care in sweden?

Generally, no. The EHIC does not cover routine dental care such as checkups, cleanings, or fillings. It may help cover emergency dental treatment that becomes medically necessary during a temporary stay.

can asylum seekers get dental care?

Yes. Children receive full dental care free of charge. Adults are generally entitled to urgent or emergency dental treatment and usually pay a reduced fee when presenting a valid LMA card.

what if I don't have a personnummer?

If you are staying in Sweden for less than one year and do not have a personnummer, you will normally pay the full cost of dental treatment yourself unless emergency care is covered by an EHIC, private insurance, or travel insurance.

how much does a dental checkup cost?

Prices vary between clinics, but a routine examination often costs between SEK 800 and SEK 1,500 before any subsidies are applied.

can I choose any dentist?

Yes. You are free to choose between public dental clinics (Folktandvården) and private dental practices.