Open borders and travel restrictions have prompted Swedes to plan for a summer in Europe. But the pandemic is far from over and there is a risk of becoming infected during the holiday. SVT Nyheter has spoken to several authorities about what might be good to consider before traveling abroad.
Just as Swedes were coming to terms with the idea of spending the summer in Sweden, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to lift its travel advice to several European countries from June 30th - including the popular holiday destinations of Spain, Italy and France.
Following the announcement, travel companies have seen a significant increase in bookings. At the same time, many of the countries on the Foreign Ministry's list are among the worst-hit by the coronavirus in the world, and the risk of contracting COVID-19 while traveling cannot be ignored.
Anyone who falls ill in an EU or EEA country has the right to necessary healthcare through the European Health Insurance Card. A system that also applies during the corona pandemic.
– If you are in an EU country and become ill, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency assesses that the EU card should apply as usual. But it has not been tested rigorously to such an extent, so there is a risk of being denied care, says Jonatan Ohlin, press contact at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.
No specific foreign advice
With the card, you only pay the patient fees that the country's own residents pay.
– If you don't have the card, you may have to pay for care, but you can get it back if it concerns unplanned care in the public sector and you save the receipt, says Jonatan Ohlin.
According to the Swedish recommendations, anyone who feels sick should stay home. If you travel with symptoms on buses or planes, for example, you risk infecting others. However, the Public Health Agency cannot answer how someone who develops symptoms during a stay abroad should act.
– We have not issued any specific recommendations for that situation, says Pernilla Engström, press contact at the Swedish Public Health Agency.
Can't count on help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
There is also no plan to bring home Swedes who become ill abroad.
– We have said that Swedes who are going to travel abroad should not assume that they will receive assisted travel home. If you become ill abroad and need assistance, you should first contact your insurance company, says Erik Karlsson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press service.
– And you have to follow the recommendations of the local authorities, he adds.
Source: svt.se
THE EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
The EU card can be ordered free of charge on the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's website and is valid for three years. It may take up to ten working days for it to arrive at your registered address.
The card entitles you to necessary care at hospitals, doctors' and dentists' surgeries within an EU/EEA country and in Switzerland that are affiliated with the country's public healthcare system. With the card, you only pay the patient fees that the country's own residents pay.
If you are abroad and become acutely ill but do not have your EU card at hand, you or your healthcare provider can contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency at +46 771-524 524 to receive a provisional certificate.
Source: Social Insurance Agency
