Electricity & gasSV
Electricity & gas · Sweden
Checked 2026-10-26

🩺 I depend on medical equipment or I am vulnerable: is there extra protection in Sweden?

The short answer

People who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, older people and people on a low income often get extra protection. You usually have to register or tell your supplier and grid operator.

📜 The rules in Sweden

Vulnerable and medical customers

Swedish law has no separate register of households that depend on electricity for medical equipment. Your protection is the general disconnection rule: electricity may not be cut off for an unpaid bill where there is reason to fear an injury that is not trivial or extensive damage, the company must notify your municipality's social services, which can take over the debt, and a disputed bill may not lead to a cut-off. If you cannot pay, apply for income support (försörjningsstöd) at the social services in your municipality: on top of the national standard amount it covers reasonable actual costs for household electricity.

  • From 1 January 2027 the Elmarknadslag (2026:1281) defines a vulnerable customer (utsatt kund) as a person who permanently lacks the ability to pay for the electricity delivered to them for private use. Its disconnection chapter (16) keeps the demand served on you with three weeks to pay, the notice to social services and the ban on a cut-off where an injury that is not trivial is to be feared, and requires the company to tell you in good time about ways to avoid a cut. (riksdagen.se)
  • Income support: besides the national standard amount (riksnormen) it covers reasonable actual costs for housing, household electricity, home insurance, travel to work, union and unemployment-fund fees. Apply at your municipality's social services; you always have the right to apply and to get a decision. (socialstyrelsen.se)
  • Before a cut-off the company must serve the demand on you and at the same time notify the social services in the municipality where your installation is; if neither you pay nor social services take over the debt, the supply is cut. A larger part payment can sometimes mean the cut may no longer go ahead, and the company's information may include debt advice or energy advice services. (energimarknadsbyran.se)
Socialtjänsten i din kommunDecides on income support (försörjningsstöd), which covers household electricity, and can take over an electricity debt before a cut-off; contact details are on your municipality's website.🔗 socialstyrelsen.se
Konsumenternas EnergimarknadsbyråFree, independent guidance on demands, cut-offs and your rights towards the electricity company.🔗 energimarknadsbyran.se
Official source: energimarknadsbyran.se · Checked 2026-10-26

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check who counts as vulnerableSee below who is protected in Sweden and what the protection covers.
  2. Register or inform your supplierAsk your supplier and grid operator how to register. A doctor's certificate may be needed.
  3. Plan for a power cutProtection against cut-offs for debt does not stop faults. Keep a backup plan for your equipment.
  4. Keep your details up to dateTell your supplier when your situation changes, and renew any certificate in time.

📇 Who to contact

Socialtjänsten i din kommunDecides on income support (försörjningsstöd), which covers household electricity, and can take over an electricity debt before a cut-off; contact details are on your municipality's website.🔗 www.socialstyrelsen.se/kunskapsstod-och-regler/omraden/ekonomiskt-bistand/ekonomiskt-bistand-for-privatpersoner
Konsumenternas EnergimarknadsbyråFree, independent guidance on demands, cut-offs and your rights towards the electricity company.🔗 www.energimarknadsbyran.se/el/konsumentratt/krav-och-frankoppling
Allmänna reklamationsnämnden (ARN)Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 08-508 860 00🔗 www.arn.se
Energimarknadsinspektionen (Ei)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 016-16 27 00🔗 ei.se

❓ Questions

Can I be cut off for debt if I am registered?

Many countries forbid or limit cut-offs for protected customers. The rules for Sweden are on this page.

Will I be warned before planned works?

Registered customers are often told about planned interruptions in advance. Ask your grid operator.

Is there help with the costs?

Many countries have a social tariff or support scheme. Ask your supplier and your municipality.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-10-26

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

💸Can’t pay the bill→🤝Help with energy costs→🔌Power cut→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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