Sweden – End of Life Issues

What palliative and hospice care is available in Sweden?

Sweden’s healthcare system is publicly funded, and palliative care sits firmly within that structure. End of life services are organised and delivered by regional health authorities (regioner), which means both the quality and the availability of specialist provision can differ meaningfully from one part of the country to another. In contrast to countries such as England and Ireland, where charities fund a large proportion of hospice services, Sweden’s palliative care sector is predominantly financed through taxation.

Each year, just over 90,000 people die in Sweden, with cancer and cardiovascular disease together accounting for roughly half of all deaths. Around eight in ten deaths are anticipated — occurring after a period of diagnosed serious illness — meaning that upwards of 70,000 people annually require some form of palliative support, of whom approximately 22,000 need input from specialist palliative care teams.

There are pronounced regional disparities across the country. Data from the Swedish Palliative Care Register show that the proportion of dying patients receiving specialist palliative care ranges from as low as 4 percent to as high as 24 percent depending on the region, with a national average of 12 percent against an estimated need of around 25 percent.

In overall terms, palliative care provision in Sweden is widely described as inconsistent, with notable gaps in many regions. In some areas, specialist services operate only during standard working hours — an arrangement that is poorly suited to the needs of patients with complex, serious illness. Multiple national reviews and care programmes have consistently identified palliative care as an area requiring greater prioritisation, so that both patients and families can access symptom relief and professional support outside business hours.

The most common settings for end of life care in Sweden are the patient’s own home with community health team support, residential nursing facilities, and hospital wards. Standalone hospice units do exist but remain relatively rare outside the larger cities. For children, there is a single dedicated paediatric hospice in the entire country — Lilla Erstagården in Stockholm. Children living in rural areas are at a particular disadvantage, receiving less palliative support than those in urban centres, where collaborations between palliative homes and inpatient services are more developed.

The Swedish Council for Palliative Care is a national umbrella body established in 2004 to strengthen and advance palliative care across Sweden. It brings together 11 professional networks and groups — including palliative physicians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, and spiritual care providers — and operates in accordance with the WHO definition of palliative care. Further information about specialist palliative services is available via the Council’s website at nrpv.se. For the most up-to-date guidance on accessing care as a resident, contact your regional health authority or consult Socialstyrelsen (the National Board of Health and Welfare).

Expats who are formally registered as residents in Sweden and enrolled in the Swedish healthcare system are entitled to the same publicly funded palliative services as Swedish nationals, subject to the applicable patient co-payments. Those who are not registered as residents, or who depend on private health insurance, should review their policy carefully to understand what end of life and palliative care coverage is included.

How does end of life planning work in Sweden — wills, advance directives, and power of attorney?

Legal end of life planning in Sweden centres on three principal instruments: a last will and testament, an advance healthcare directive (commonly called a living will), and a power of attorney. Each operates somewhat differently from equivalent documents in other legal systems, and expats are strongly encouraged to seek advice from a qualified Swedish lawyer to ensure their documents will be valid and effective.

Advance directives (living wills)
In Sweden, advance healthcare directives — written statements setting out your treatment preferences in the event that you become unable to communicate — do not carry legally binding force in the way they do in certain other jurisdictions. Sweden’s State Medical Ethics Council has reviewed proposals relating to end-of-life directives and has expressed the view that such documents should be afforded greater weight than previously recommended, and that they ought to be respected in a wider range of clinical circumstances — not only when a patient is irreversibly dying or in a permanent state of unconsciousness. In day-to-day clinical practice, Swedish healthcare professionals treat written advance directives as a meaningful expression of the patient’s wishes, even if those documents cannot be enforced as legal instruments. You should discuss your preferences directly with your treating physician and ensure any directive is clearly recorded in your medical notes.

Power of attorney
Alongside a will, important complementary documents include an advance healthcare directive setting out medical preferences in case of incapacity, and a power of attorney (POA) granting a named individual authority to act on your behalf in financial or personal matters. A POA issued in another country is not automatically recognised under Swedish law. If you hold a foreign-issued POA and wish it to have legal effect in Sweden, it should be apostilled (legalised) and ideally reviewed — or re-drafted — by a Swedish lawyer. Guidance on legal representation for adults is available from Sveriges domstolar (the Courts of Sweden) and the Ministry of Justice.

Making a valid will in Sweden
Under Swedish law, a valid will must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed by two adults who are present at the same time. Neither witness may be a beneficiary under the will. Unlike countries such as France or Spain, where notarial wills are the standard form, Sweden does not require notarisation.

Swedish succession law includes important forced heirship protections: a surviving spouse generally inherits the full estate unless there are children from a prior relationship, in which case those children receive their statutory entitlement. Children have a right to a “legitimate portion” — half of the deceased’s estate — irrespective of what the will says. It is also important to note that an unmarried cohabitant has no automatic right to inherit unless expressly named as a beneficiary in the will.

Foreign nationals should be aware that their country of origin may also assert a claim over their estate. Consulting a Swedish lawyer with expertise in cross-border succession is strongly advisable, and it may be prudent to prepare separate, locally valid wills in each country where you hold significant assets.

What are the laws around euthanasia and assisted dying in Sweden?

All forms of assisted dying are currently prohibited throughout the Nordic countries, including Sweden. A physician who actively ends a patient’s life in Sweden could face a charge of manslaughter under Swedish criminal law. This is a critical point for expats who have relocated from countries — such as Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, or certain Australian states — where some form of assisted dying is lawfully available.

In relation to physician-assisted suicide, there is no specific Swedish statute that would be directly breached, but a well-publicised recent case in Sweden illustrated that it is regarded as a serious breach of professional conduct. Swedish healthcare law does, however, permit the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment — including mechanical ventilation, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and dialysis — either at the explicit request of a patient who has decision-making capacity, or where the treating physician determines that continued intervention would be futile.

The only avenue currently open to Swedish patients who wish to pursue an assisted death is to travel to Switzerland. This requires substantial preparation, including the provision of supporting medical documentation, and is not accessible to all patients. Whether Swedish physicians are willing to contribute the necessary documentation in such cases is a matter of active professional and ethical debate.

Discussion about whether to legalise assisted dying continues in Sweden. A 2020 survey conducted by the Swedish Medical Association found that 41% of physicians supported legalisation while 34% were opposed. The Swedish Council on Medical Ethics (SMER) regularly evaluates and publishes material on this subject — see smer.se for current analysis and positions. Given that this is a rapidly evolving policy debate in many countries, always verify the current legal situation in Sweden through official sources before making any decisions.

What happens to a foreign national’s body when they die in Sweden?

When a foreign national dies in Sweden, the family or next of kin must work through both Swedish administrative processes and, if the body is to be transported abroad, the documentary requirements of the receiving country. This can be a complex and emotionally draining experience, and it is strongly advisable to engage a licensed Swedish funeral director with international experience at the earliest opportunity.

Repatriation of remains
Returning a body to another country requires a specific set of official documents, typically including the Swedish death certificate, an embalming certificate (where required by the destination country), a freedom from contagious disease certificate, and an internationally recognised permit for transport of human remains issued by Swedish authorities. The receiving country will generally require these documents at the point of customs clearance before burial or cremation can proceed.

The home country embassy or consulate in Sweden plays an essential role in this process. Embassy staff can clarify the precise documentation required by the destination country, help coordinate communications with Swedish authorities, and in some instances assist in identifying an appropriate funeral director. Contact the relevant embassy as promptly as possible following the death. A directory of foreign embassies in Sweden can be found at swedenabroad.se.

Repatriation carries significant costs. The total expense depends on the destination country, the funeral director engaged, and the mode of transport — and can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of Swedish kronor (as of 2025). Some home country embassies may be able to offer emergency financial assistance for repatriation in cases of genuine hardship. Travel insurance that includes repatriation cover will typically meet a substantial share of these costs. Always obtain a written cost estimate directly from a licensed Swedish funeral director and verify any financial assistance options with the relevant embassy.

Burial or cremation in Sweden
Burial or cremation within Sweden is a legally straightforward and often less expensive alternative to repatriation. Sweden has a well-regulated funeral industry; interment generally takes place in a municipal or parish cemetery, and cremation facilities are widely available throughout the country. Funeral arrangements in Sweden are typically administered through the Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan) or via civil authorities, and this applies to non-members as well. Any specific religious or cultural requirements — for example, Islamic burial practices, which call for prompt burial without embalming — should be communicated clearly to the funeral director and the cemetery authority. Sweden’s major cities have facilities that can accommodate a variety of religious traditions, though provision may be more limited in rural areas.

What are the local customs and cultural practices around death in Sweden?

Swedish attitudes towards death tend to be characterised by measured restraint and a practical sensibility. Death is regarded primarily as a private family matter, and overt public expressions of grief are less typical than in many other cultural contexts. The prevailing historical framework is Lutheran Protestant, though Sweden is today a broadly secular society, and many customs surrounding death reflect civic rather than strictly religious values.

When a death occurs, it is customary to inform close family members first. The wider community is usually notified through a death announcement (dödsannons) placed in a local newspaper or, with increasing frequency, published online. Flowers and candles are commonly left at the location of the death or at the family home. Close friends and colleagues may send written condolences, and a moment of silence in workplaces is a familiar gesture.

Funerals in Sweden are generally modest and dignified and may be held in a church, a crematorium chapel, or a civil ceremony space. The service typically incorporates music, brief tributes, and readings. Viewing of the body (bisättning) before the funeral does take place but is neither as prevalent nor as elaborate as in some other traditions — for instance, the multi-day open-casket gatherings common in parts of Southern Europe or Latin America are rarely observed in Sweden. Cremation is the most widely chosen option, accounting for the majority of funerals across the country.

After the funeral, it is customary for family members and close friends to come together for a shared meal known as a minnesstund (remembrance gathering). Formal mourning periods marked by black dress or similar outward symbols are not customary; grief is treated as a deeply personal experience. Expats attending a Swedish funeral should dress modestly in dark or understated clothing and take their cues from the family regarding any ceremonial or religious elements.

Sweden is home to a significant Muslim minority and various other faith communities, each with their own distinctive traditions. In larger cities, arrangements for Islamic, Jewish, and other faith-based funerals are available. Regional variation exists but is limited; the indigenous Sámi community of the far north maintains its own traditions, and some rural areas may observe locally distinctive customs.

What must you do when someone dies in Sweden — the official steps?

The administrative process that follows a death in Sweden involves several authorities and must be handled carefully. The step-by-step guide below outlines the key requirements. Timeframes are indicative as of 2025 — confirm current requirements directly with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) and any relevant embassy.

1. Obtain a medical certificate of death (dödsbevis)
   A qualified doctor must certify the death and issue both a dödsbevis (death notice) and a dödsorsaksintyg (cause of death certificate). When a death occurs at home, the attending physician or emergency services doctor issues these documents. Deaths in a hospital or care facility are handled directly by the institution’s medical personnel. Where the cause of death is uncertain or the circumstances are unexpected, the matter may be referred to a forensic pathologist for a rättsmedicinsk undersökning (forensic examination).
2. Notify the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)
   In Sweden, death registration is the responsibility of Skatteverket rather than a separate civil registration body. The dödsbevis is ordinarily transmitted directly to Skatteverket by the healthcare institution. Once the death is registered, the deceased is removed from the Swedish Population Register (folkbokföring). Next of kin should confirm that this step has been completed and request a certified death certificate (dödsfallsintyg) from Skatteverket — this document is essential for estate administration and can be applied for online or by post.
3. Notify the relevant embassy or consulate
   If the deceased was a foreign national, their home country’s embassy or consulate in Sweden should be contacted without delay. Embassy staff can advise on the additional documentation required by the home country, assist in obtaining a death certificate in an officially recognised format, and provide guidance on consular services. They may also assist in locating next of kin or offer emergency support where needed.
4. Engage a funeral director
   A licensed Swedish funeral director (begravningsbyrå) will manage the practical aspects of the arrangements, including transport of the body, burial or cremation, and — where applicable — the documentation required for international repatriation. Funeral directors in Sweden are regulated professionals and must meet established standards. They will liaise directly with Skatteverket and the relevant cemetery or crematorium.
5. Open an estate inventory (bouppteckning)
   Swedish law requires an estate inventory to be finalised within three months of the date of death (as of 2025). This formal document records all of the deceased’s assets and liabilities and must be submitted to Skatteverket. Where the estate involves assets in more than one country, a Swedish lawyer experienced in cross-border succession should be engaged to assist with its preparation.
6. Notify financial institutions and other relevant parties
   Banks, pension providers, insurers, and landlords (where applicable) must be informed of the death. The estate’s administrator — or a court-appointed administrator in the absence of a will — bears responsibility for identifying, gathering, and safeguarding the estate’s assets during the administration period.
7. Obtain probate and distribute the estate (arvskifte)
   Once the bouppteckning has been completed and accepted, the estate can be formally divided among the heirs through the arvskifte process. Where heirs are unable to reach agreement, an application may be made to the District Court (tingsrätten) for the appointment of an estate administrator. In cases involving foreign nationals, the courts may need to determine which country’s succession law governs the estate.

How does inheritance and estate law work in Sweden for expats?

Swedish inheritance law is primarily set out in the Inheritance Code (Ärvdabalken). Its provisions apply to all individuals who die while residing in Sweden, regardless of their nationality, and also to those who inherit assets situated in Sweden.

No inheritance tax
Sweden abolished inheritance and estate taxes in 2005. No tax is levied on assets transferred on death in Sweden, whatever the size of the estate or the nature of the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. This represents a meaningful benefit compared with many other countries. It is worth noting, however, that heirs who are resident elsewhere may be subject to inheritance tax in their own country of residence — this should be confirmed with a tax professional in the relevant jurisdiction.

Forced heirship and spousal rights
Under Swedish law, a surviving spouse generally inherits the entire estate, unless the deceased had children from a previous relationship — in which case those children are entitled to receive their statutory share directly. Children are guaranteed a “legitimate portion” amounting to half of the deceased’s total estate, and this entitlement cannot be overridden by the terms of a will. Unmarried partners in a cohabiting relationship have no automatic right of inheritance unless they are expressly named as beneficiaries in a will. These forced heirship provisions may significantly affect the outcome of estate planning carried out under a different legal system, making specialist legal advice essential for expats.

EU Succession Regulation
Sweden participates in the EU Succession Regulation (EU No 650/2012), under which the succession law of the country where the deceased was habitually resident at the time of death generally governs the entire estate. For expats who are habitually resident in Sweden at the time of death, this means Swedish succession law will typically apply to their worldwide assets — though exceptions exist and the interplay with other countries’ laws can be intricate. Professional legal advice from a specialist in cross-border succession is strongly recommended.

For questions about Swedish estate administration, Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) handles estate inventories and related filings. For information on succession law procedures, Sveriges domstolar (the Swedish Courts) can provide guidance. Always verify current rules and requirements directly with these authorities, as the relevant legislation may be subject to change.

What practical steps should expats take to prepare for end of life in Sweden?

Putting end of life arrangements in order is not a gloomy exercise — it is a thoughtful and responsible act that protects both yourself and the people who matter most to you. As an expat, you face additional layers of complexity because your life, assets, and legal connections may extend across more than one country. The steps below provide a solid starting point.

• Draft or update a will that is valid under Swedish law. A will prepared in your home country may or may not be enforceable in Sweden. Have it assessed by a Swedish lawyer and consider preparing a separate Swedish will that covers your Swedish assets. Make sure it is properly executed — written, signed, and witnessed simultaneously by two adults as required by Swedish law.
• Familiarise yourself with Sweden’s forced heirship rules. The statutory entitlements of children and spouses under Swedish law may substantially affect how your estate is distributed, particularly if you have children from more than one relationship or are living with a partner outside of marriage. Seek professional legal advice on how these rules interact with any estate planning you have already undertaken.
• Set out your medical preferences in an advance healthcare directive. Although not legally binding in Sweden, a clearly written advance directive is treated seriously by healthcare professionals and will generally be taken into account. Talk through your wishes with your doctor and make sure the directive is included in your medical record.
• Put a durable power of attorney in place. Designate a trusted person to manage your financial affairs and healthcare decisions if you lose the capacity to do so yourself. If you already hold a POA from another country, have a Swedish lawyer confirm whether it will be effective within the Swedish legal system.
• Review your insurance arrangements. Ensure your life insurance policy covers deaths occurring outside your home country and that benefit payments can be made straightforwardly to beneficiaries living abroad. Also verify whether your health insurance extends to palliative and end of life care in Sweden, as private policy terms vary considerably.
• Register with your home country’s embassy or consulate in Sweden. Most governments maintain voluntary registration services for citizens living abroad. Registration means that in an emergency — including a death — the embassy can reach your family and offer consular assistance. Your government’s foreign affairs website will provide details of how to register.
• Make sure trusted people know where your key documents are. At least one family member or close friend should know how to locate your will, passport, insurance documents, property records, bank details, and advance directive. A secure document storage service may be worth considering.
• Engage the right professionals. The advisers most relevant to end of life preparation in Sweden include: a Swedish-qualified lawyer or notary for wills, powers of attorney, and succession planning; a financial adviser for insurance and investment review; a tax professional for cross-border inheritance questions; and a licensed funeral director for practical planning, including repatriation options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a will I made in my home country valid in Sweden?

A will drawn up in another country may be recognised in Sweden provided it satisfies the formal requirements of either Swedish law or the law of the country in which it was executed. However, Sweden’s forced heirship rules — guaranteeing children a mandatory share of the estate — will apply regardless of what the will provides. You should always have a foreign will reviewed by a Swedish lawyer to establish whether it is valid and effective for assets held in Sweden. Under the EU Succession Regulation, Swedish succession law will generally govern your estate if Sweden was your habitual residence at the time of death.

What happens if someone dies in Sweden without a will?

Where a person dies without a valid will (intestate), their estate is allocated according to the statutory succession rules in Sweden’s Inheritance Code (Ärvdabalken). As a general rule, a surviving spouse inherits first, followed by children, then parents and siblings in descending order. An unmarried cohabiting partner has no automatic entitlement to inherit. An estate inventory must still be prepared and submitted to Skatteverket within three months of the death, regardless of whether a will exists.

How do I arrange for the repatriation of a family member’s remains from Sweden?

Engage a licensed Swedish funeral director (begravningsbyrå) as early as possible — they will manage the repatriation process and obtain the required Swedish documentation, including the death certificate, international transport permit, and any embalming or freedom-from-infection certificates. In parallel, contact the deceased’s home country embassy or consulate in Sweden to establish what the receiving country requires and to access any available consular support. If the deceased held travel insurance with repatriation cover, notify the insurer immediately. Costs depend on the destination and circumstances, so request a written quotation from the funeral director at the outset.

Can expats access Sweden’s public palliative care services?

Yes — expats who are formally registered as residents in Sweden and enrolled in the Swedish healthcare system (folkbokförda) have the same entitlement to publicly funded healthcare, including palliative care, as Swedish nationals. Standard patient co-payments apply. Those who are not registered residents, or who are in Sweden on a short-term visa, should rely on private health insurance and check their policy carefully for palliative care coverage. Your regional health authority (region) can provide information on accessing palliative services in your area.

What should I do if a family member dies abroad and I am based in Sweden?

Contact the embassy or consulate of the country where the death occurred and request consular assistance. They will advise on local death registration requirements, the documentation needed, and the repatriation process. You may also need to notify Skatteverket if the deceased was registered in Sweden, so that they can be removed from the Swedish Population Register and any Swedish estate administration can be initiated. Engage a funeral director in the country where the death took place, and where possible consult a lawyer with expertise in the succession laws of both countries involved.

Is there an inheritance tax in Sweden?

Sweden abolished inheritance and estate taxes in 2005. No Swedish tax is payable on assets transferred on death, irrespective of the value of the estate or the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. However, if you or your beneficiaries are tax-resident in another country, that country’s own inheritance tax rules may apply to assets received — seek advice from a tax professional in the relevant jurisdiction.

Are advance directives (living wills) legally binding in Sweden?

Advance directives do not have binding legal force in Sweden in the strict sense. Sweden’s State Medical Ethics Council has recommended that they be given greater weight and respected in a broader range of clinical circumstances — not solely when a patient is irreversibly dying or permanently unconscious. In practice, Swedish healthcare providers take written directives seriously as a statement of the patient’s wishes and will generally endeavour to honour them. Discuss your preferences with your treating physician and ensure your directive is clearly documented in your medical records.

Is assisted dying or euthanasia available to expats in Sweden?

Assisted dying in any form is currently prohibited throughout the Nordic countries, Sweden included. There are no exceptions for residents or for foreign nationals. The only legal option currently available to Swedish patients who wish to pursue an assisted death is to travel to Switzerland, which requires meeting specific eligibility criteria and obtaining supporting medical documentation well in advance. Expats coming from a jurisdiction where assisted dying is legally available should be aware that Swedish law does not permit the practice and that Swedish physicians are subject to professional conduct obligations in this area. Always verify the current legal position with SMER (the Swedish Council on Medical Ethics) and take advice from qualified legal and medical professionals.