Sweden has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation to victims
of violent or personal crime.

Eligibility Requirements
Report to Police: Yes; no time limit.
Filing Period: 2 years; exceptions are made.

Claimants

• Victims of crime
• Dependents of homicide victims
• Foreign citizens
• Citizens of Sweden victimized in a foreign country

Procedures

Application forms are available at the local police stations, district courts, the local enforcement service offices, and insurance companies. Applications can also be ordered from the Criminal Victim Compensation and Support Authority.

The application must be sent to the Criminal Victim Compensation and Support Authority which is a central agency covering criminal injuries throughout the country. The claimant is notified of the program's decision within a few days. It then takes another week or two to receive the award.

Benefits & Award Limits

The maximum awards in Kroners:
Personal Injuries: limited to twenty times the basic amount or SEK 704 000.
Property Damage: half of the above sum.

Compensable Costs

• Medical expenses
• Mental health
• Lost wages for disabled victims
• Lost support for dependents of deceased victims
• Funerals
• Travel
• Rehabilitation for disabled victims
• Services to replace work in the home previously performed by the victim
• Pain and suffering
• Violation of personal integrity
• Inconveniences resulting from the injury

Emergency Awards

When the victim is in urgent need of medical care, therapy, or has been infected by HIV, an emergency award can be made.

Funding Sources

The program is funded by tax revenue.

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