Legal Framework
- Act (1972:119) concerning Recognition of Legal Gender in Certain Cases
- Will be replaced by new legislation in July 2025
Competent Authority
National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelse)
Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have felt belonging to a different gender for a long time – Must be assumed they will continue to live with this gender in future
- In practice requires:
- Diagnosis of transsexualism
- Medical contact of at least two years
- No sterilization requirement (abolished 2013)
For children:
- Custodians may submit applications
- Children over 12 must provide consent
- For gonad removal: must be 23+ unless extraordinary reasons exist
Procedure
- Can apply for both gender affirmative surgery and legal gender change in same form
- Surgery not possible without prior legal gender change
Decision Type
Administrative decision