Social security if you work in or move to Sweden
Moving to Sweden or starting a job there can affect where you are covered by social security. Find out which country is responsible for your social security, what this means for your benefits and contributions, and which authorities you need to contact if you live or work across Øresund.
Social security if you move to Sweden
If you move to Sweden, your social security coverage depends on whether you also start working in Sweden or keep your job in Denmark.
As a general rule, social security is linked to the country where you work. If you start working exclusively in Sweden, you will normally be covered by Swedish social security. If you keep your job in Denmark and work exclusively there, you will continue to be covered by Danish social security.
If you work partly in Sweden and partly in Denmark, for example if you work from home in Sweden a few days a week, you are considered to be working in both countries.
Please note that even if you remain covered by Danish social security, your children will normally be covered by social security in their country of residence, Sweden. If you are unemployed, you are generally covered by social security in your country of residence.
Determining which country covers your social security can be more complex if you work in both Denmark and Sweden.
See our page about social security when working in both Denmark and Sweden
Social security if you start working in Sweden
If you start working in Sweden, you will normally be covered by Swedish social security, even if you live in Denmark.
In some situations, however, you may be able to remain covered by Danish social security. This may apply if your employer has posted you to Sweden or if you work in both Denmark and Sweden.
To be covered by Swedish social security, you must register with The Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Försäkringskassan. The agency administers social security and pays a range of social benefits in Sweden.
To register, complete the form "Information when moving to or working in Sweden" (5456) on Försäkringskassan's website.
Find form 5456 at forsakringskassan.se
Find out which country covers your social security
The country that covers your social security can have a significant impact on your finances and your entitlement to benefits. It is therefore important to determine which country's social security rules apply to you.
In Sweden, Försäkringskassan administers social security and pays many of the benefits that, in Denmark, are administered by the municipality or the Danish authority Udbetaling Danmark.
If you live in Denmark and are posted to Sweden, or if you work in both countries, Udbetaling Danmark is responsible for deciding which country covers your social security. Applications must be submitted to Udbetaling Danmark.
Apply for Danish social security cover when working abroad at lifeindenmark.dk
If you live in Sweden and work in Denmark
If you exclusively work in Denmark but live in Sweden, contact the following Danish authorities depending on the benefit in question.
- Family benefits – Udbetaling Danmark
- Parental benefits – Udbetaling Danmark
- Sickness benefits – your municipality
- Retirement pension – Udbetaling Danmark (early retirement pension: your municipality)
- Health insurance – your municipality
- ATP pension – ATP
- Unemployment insurance – your unemployment insurance fund (A-kasse)
- Work-related injuries and occupational diseases – Arbejdsmarkedets Erhvervssikring (AES)
If you are covered by Swedish social security
In Sweden, Försäkringskassan is usually the authority you need to contact.
- Family benefits (familjeförmåner) – Försäkringskassan
- Parental benefits (föräldrapenning) – Försäkringskassan
- Sickness benefits (sjukpenning) – Försäkringskassan
- Early retirement pension (sjukersättning) – Försäkringskassan
- Retirement pension (ålderspension) – The Swedish Pensions Agency
- Health insurance (sjukvård) – your region
- Unemployment insurance (arbetslöshetsförsäkring) – your unemployment insurance fund (A-kassa)
- Work-related injuries and occupational diseases (arbetsskadeförsäkring) – Försäkringskassan
If you are unsure which country covers your social security, contact the relevant authority in your country of residence. If you live in Denmark, contact Udbetaling Danmark. If you live in Sweden, you can contact Försäkringskassan at Øresunddirekt for guidance.
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You can always visit our Information Center in Malmø to get help with your questions regarding working, moving or studying in Sweden.
