Internal coordination of social security in Sweden
| Date | 01 June 2019 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1388262719847844 |
| Author | Jaan Paju |
| Published date | 01 June 2019 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Internal coordination of
social security in Sweden
Jaan Paju
Faculty of Law, Stockholm University, Sweden
Abstract
This article begins with an overview of the structure of local governance in Sweden. It then
examines the division of competences between municipalities and county councils, and the pop-
ulation register that determines the applicable law. Following this, the article focuses on health care
schemes and the possibility for the competent county council to determine substantive health care.
The municipalities’ responsibility for long term social care is then considered. Finally, the muni-
cipalities’ room for manoeuvre in relation to the social assistance scheme is reviewed. The con-
cluding section discusses Sweden’s decentralised approach to social security.
Keywords
Sweden, decentralisation, municipalities, county councils, health care, long-term social care, social
assistance, internal coordination
Introduction
The Swedish social security schemes are mainly administered on a central level.
Fo¨rsa¨ kringskassan (the Swedish Social Security Agency) is responsible for the ‘classical’ social
security benefits, compensation and allowances for families with children as well as people with
disabilities or illnesses. Pensionsmyndigheten (the Swedish Pensions Agency) manages pensions
for the elderly.
Family allowances and social assistance schemes covered by the EU regulation 883/2004
1
such as special non-contributory benefits, are administered by Fo
¨rsa
¨kringskassan at central
level.
Corresponding author:
Dr. Jaan Paju, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
E-mail: jaan.paju@juridicum.su.se
1. Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination
of social security systems [2004] OJ L166/1.
European Journal of Social Security
2019, Vol. 21(2) 174–182
ªThe Author(s) 2019
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DOI: 10.1177/1388262719847844
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