Getting your EU National Health Card

1POSTS

5 years ago

So i am both American and German, with citizenship in both countries. I grew up in the USA, but moved to Sweden to study. I tried to get my personal number, but the Swedish government does not accept my American insurance as being sufficient for a personal number. I have never lived in Germany and therefore, have never gotten the EU national health insurance card. If i have the card, I will be able to get my personal number here in Sweden. Has anyone experienced this problem? Are there any loop holes as to how I can get the the EU insurance card or my personal number?

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guestposter15352 Guest

0POSTS

5 years ago

Hello welcome to the forum!

If I were you I would start my mission from the German side first because of the citizenship. Good Luck!

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

8157POSTS

5 years ago

Hi all.

For what it's worth, my 2 cents worth. Within the EU, medical "cover" seems to be residence based as opposed to nationality. For example, here in the UK we have the NHS which is free to everyone at the point of use, but if a UK citizen choses to live in Sweden and becomes resident there, then he has no right to come back to use the NHS or to use a UK issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). I strongly suspect the Germans will be the same and will only issue the EHIC to their own residents who qualify (so pay health insurance); in fact I just asked an old colleague who lives there and he told me that he now uses a German EHIC.

From what you've said, if you're resident in Sweden on a student visa, then these don't generally entitle you to any "benefits" except a 1st class education. Perhaps try asking at the university, I doubt it you are the first person in this position.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team