Sweden

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Sweden based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Sweden does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

Nothing on the website of the Government Offices of Sweden suggests an HIV-related restriction on entry.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Sweden based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Sweden does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a work permit application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.

While there is no mandatory HIV testing required for work permits in Sweden, our information suggests that certain professions, particularly in the military, may exclude individuals living with HIV. Other roles, such as surgeons or police officers, may have indirect discrimination despite no formal exclusions. In general, HIV status cannot legally be used as a reason to deny employment, as discrimination based on HIV status is prohibited by law.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Sweden based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Sweden does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa permanent residence permit application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.

In 2007, the foreign ministers of Norway, Sweden and Denmark addressed their American colleague Condoleezza Rice with an open letter requesting reconsideration of the regulations directed against PLHIV. This is the first time that the dispute is taken to the state level.

Before 2000, according to Swedish law, persons who came to Sweden and who had reason to believe they could be HIV positive had to consult a doctor and follow that doctor’s advice.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Sweden. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

Positiva Gruppen SYD reports that Sweden provides universal healthcare, meaning all citizens and many permanent or temporary residents have access to medical services. HIV testing, treatment, and care are handled within the infectious diseases departments at most major hospitals. HIV medications are only available by prescription, with most individuals receiving a one-year prescription and refilling every three months. These medications typically need to be pre-ordered, as smaller pharmacies rarely stock them. Patients can choose to have their medicine delivered to a local postal service or the nearest state-run pharmacy (Apoteket).

EU citizens residing in Sweden are generally entitled to free HIV treatment under EU regulations. If you lose or misplace your medication, substitution is provided, although not all hospitals may stock every brand.. Non-essential healthcare may not be free, with practitioners determining the necessity of treatment on a case-by-case basis. EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to avoid upfront fees, though any costs incurred can be reimbursed later through their home country’s healthcare system.

Non-EU citizens with permission to stay for less than one year cannot receive a personal identification number or access the same healthcare as citizens. However, HIV treatment is still provided due to its importance, though prescriptions may be limited to shorter periods, such as monthly refills. Non-EU citizens with permission to stay for more than a year can obtain a personal identification number and receive healthcare at the same level as Swedish citizens.

Undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers are entitled to free HIV treatment by law, though shorter prescription refills and hospital-based pickups may apply. The level of care can vary by region due to local hospital management and differing interpretations of healthcare laws.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Government Offices of Sweden
• Positiva Gruppen SYD

Migrant populations

Refugees and asylum seekers