Sick leave as an EU citizen running a sole proprietorship in Sweden – what to do step by step

Many EU citizens work in Sweden and run a sole proprietorship, but in the event of illness they skip important steps. In order to be able to receive sickness benefit (sjukpenning) and handle the case smoothly, you must be registered with Försäkringskassan and be able to confirm your identity.

Before you get sick: prepare the basics

• Register with Försäkringskassan. This matters both for entitlement to benefits and often for access to healthcare on Swedish terms (Swedish patient fees). If your work in Sweden is not temporary and lasts longer than 6 months, you must register with Försäkringskassan in order to access healthcare on the same terms as people insured in Sweden.
• Personnummer makes things easier. If you plan to stay in Sweden for at least one year, you should usually register in the population register (folkbokföring) and then you will receive a personnummer.
• E-identification significantly makes everything easier. To log in to Försäkringskassan’s e-services, it is convenient to have BankID (requires a Swedish personnummer and a bank account) or Freja+ (requires a personnummer or a verified samordningsnummer).
• Register a bank account for payments. Otherwise, payments may be delayed.

Step by step, when you get sick (sole proprietorship)

1. Report the illness immediately (day 1). Försäkringskassan states that the illness should be reported on the first day, or at the latest within 7 days.
2. Submit an application for sickness benefit (sjukpenning). After reporting the illness, you submit an application for the benefit.
3. Medical certificate if the illness lasts longer than 7 days. The doctor often sends the certificate electronically. If Försäkringskassan does not receive it, in some cases you can send it via 1177 or by post.
4. Remember the qualifying period (karenstid). If you have not chosen a different option, as an entrepreneur you usually have 7 days of qualifying period.
5. Follow the case on “Mina sidor” and report changes. For example: when you return to work, when you need an extension of the sick leave, or when you plan a trip.

Briefly about SGI

SGI (sjukpenninggrundande inkomst) is the income that Försäkringskassan uses to calculate the level of benefits. In simplified terms, SGI corresponds to your annual income, but it may differ depending on the situation. For entrepreneurs, it is based on income from work in the business. Since you run a sole proprietorship, your sickness benefit is calculated based on the estimated net result (profit before tax). We always help our clients in difficult situations – for example, in preparing the right documentation for Försäkringskassan.

Healthcare in another EU country – what needs to be done?

• Temporary stay: Order and bring the EHIC card (EKUZ). It gives you the right to necessary care in the public healthcare system in the EU/EEA (as well as in Switzerland and the United Kingdom).
• Planned treatment: Contact Försäkringskassan in advance. You may need to submit an application under the rules for planned treatment abroad (sometimes prior authorisation is required).

Sources

• Försäkringskassan: Enskild firma, handelsbolag eller kommanditbolag
• Försäkringskassan: Sjukpenning för dig med enskild firma
• Försäkringskassan: SGI
• 1177: Vård i Sverige om du kommer från ett annat land
• Skatteverket: Flytta till Sverige (folkbokföring/personnummer)
• DIGG/elegitimation.se: Skaffa e-legitimation (BankID/Freja+)
• Försäkringskassan: Ersättning – steg för steg (anmäl konto)
• Försäkringskassan: EU-kort och vård utomlands
• Försäkringskassan: Planerad vård utomlands