The recent years of economic crisis and unemployment within the European Union has lead to an increased mobility among EU citizens seeking work outside the country of origin. From 2012 to 2015 the number of EU citizens coming to Sweden to make their living by begging on the streets and without a right of residence in Sweden rose sharply. This group is sometimes referred to as “vulnerable” EU citizens as many of them are homeless and has far less chance of gaining access to welfare. Some of them have brought their children with them in the hope of a better future. These children live with their families in poverty without stable housing and access to school and are many times exposed to unhealthy and unsafe situations. In addition to this, most of these children coming to Sweden together with their families to support themselves in street environments are not covered by a European Health Insurance. Vulnerable EU citizen children therefore belong to an already vulnerable group and it is essential to investigate their possibilities of gaining access to healthcare, as a vital part of their welfare.

The aim of this article is therefore to give an overview of vulnerable EU citizen children’s right to healthcare in Sweden. The purpose is to describe and discuss the relevant national regulation and map out areas of concern.