Healthcare
Understanding Swedish healthcare
Healthcare in Sweden is public, run by regions, and starts with a phone call to 1177 or a visit to your vårdcentral. It is cheap once you are registered — but not free, and not automatic before registration.
At a glance
- Emergency
- 112
- Advice, day and night
- 1177
- Fee cap (registered residents)
- Max SEK 1,450 for visits in 12 months
- Who pays full price
- Most non-EU visitors and people not yet registered
How it works
Healthcare is run by Sweden’s 21 regions. Fees, opening hours and some rules differ between regions — always check the 1177 page for your region.
| Where | For what |
|---|---|
| 1177 (phone or 1177.se) | Medical advice from a nurse, any time — they tell you where to go |
| Vårdcentral (health centre) | Most problems: fever, infections, rashes, long-term conditions, mental health, referrals |
| Närakut / jourmottagning | Urgent but not life-threatening, e.g. a suspected fracture, outside office hours |
| Akutmottagning (emergency department) | Serious and life-threatening conditions |
| Pharmacy (apotek) | Prescription and non-prescription medicines |
| Dentist (tandläkare) | Dental care — paid separately from healthcare |
Access, fees and insurance are four different things
| What it means for you | |
|---|---|
| Access to care | Everyone has the right to urgent care in Sweden. |
| Healthcare fees | Registered residents pay low, capped fees. Most people from outside the EU/EEA who are not registered pay the full cost. |
| Private insurance | Your own policy (e.g. the one for your residence permit, or Kammarkollegiet’s student insurance) may refund what you pay. |
| Social insurance (Försäkringskassan) | Benefits such as sickness benefit or parental benefit. Depends on living or working here, not on healthcare access. |
Official sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply or pay. Last checked 14 Oct 2026.