Healthcare in Sweden
As an international student you are entitled to use the Swedish healthcare system. On this page you can learn how to get access to the Swedish healthcare system, and how to seek healthcare.
About healthcare in Sweden
Healthcare in Sweden is largely subsidised by the government making it affordable for citizens and residents with a Swedish personal identity number. With a Swedish personal identity number you are entitled to healthcare at the same standard patient fees as Swedes.
Apply for a Swedish personal identity number for access to subsidised healthcare
You can register for a Swedish personal identity number if you are admitted to a study programme that will last longer than 12 months. Keep in mind that the process of applying for a Swedish personal identity number can take some time.
EU students with an EHIC-card Nordic, EU/EEA, UK, or Swiss citizens
As the EHIC-card or equivalent only covers emergency and medically necessary healthcare, you should still apply for a Swedish personal number to get access to standard patient fees for regular healthcare.
Medically necessary healthcare is medical care that cannot wait until you return to your home country and can therefore vary depending on the length of your stay.
Fee-paying students on a 1 year programme
If you are a fee-paying student on a programme lasting less than 12 months, you will not be able to apply for a Swedish personal identity number and will not be entitled to the standard patient fees. Your FAS+ insurance will cover emergency healthcare, but you need to take out your own private health insurance to avoid high fees for regular healthcare.
How to seek healthcare
If you need medical care, you can usually get help at a healthcare centre (Vårdcentral), but depending on your illness there may be other ways.
The healthcare centre (Vårdcentral) is the primary care facility for non-urgent medical treatment in Sweden. You can also get psychological/psychiatric care here.
You need to make an appointment before going. You can make an appointment with any healthcare centre, for example the one nearest to your home.
If you need medical advice you can dial 1177 (+46 771-11 77 00 if you have a foreign number), which is open round the clock. The nurse who takes your call can assess your need for care and give you advice on what you can do yourself and where to turn if you need medical attention.
- Please contact 1177 for consultation before visiting an local emergency unit or emergency clinic.
- Local emergency units (Närakut) are available for urgent, but non life-threatening medical treatment.
- Accident and emergency clinics (Akutmottagning) at a hospital are available for sudden, serious illnesses and injuries.
- Call 112 if the matter is very urgent, or if your or someone else’s life is in danger. This is the free public service emergency telephone number in Sweden, as well as in the whole EU. It is available free of cost from mobile, landline and public telephones.
Dental care is expensive, even for Swedish citizens. If you have obtained a Swedish personal identity number you are eligible for benefits for some dental care procedures. EU/EEA-citizens are entitled to use the emergency dental care services on the same basis as Swedes, provided they are covered by health insurance in their home country and can present an European Health Insurance Card.
The cost of dental care is not fixed, so you should always ask your dentist how much the treatment will cost before it starts.
If you need specialist care you need to book an appointment with a doctor at a healthcare centre to receive a referral.
In Sweden, everyone can get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That includes HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis and it is always free of charge. This is also applicable if you come from a different country or if your stay in Sweden is of a short duration.
Support at KI
The Student Wellbeing Centre at KI offers advice and support for any study-related health issues. The service offers both individual support and group activities free of charge. Student Wellbeing Centre operates as a complement to public healthcare and thus does not offer any psychological or medical treatment.
This service is available around the clock for KI students through Falck. A social worker is on hand to provide direct initial advice regarding any psychosocial issue. The student support includes both study-related and private matters. The service assists with matters concerning, for example, emotional or relationship problems, addiction issues and personal crises.
If needed, further telephone counselling (up till 3 sessions) will be provided by a specialist.
When contacting Falck please state that you are a student at KI
Falck Health Care counselling: 0200-21 63 00
Pharmacy
There are several pharmacy (apotek) chains in Sweden, where you can ask for medical advice and buy medication to treat minor illnesses such as headache, cold and cough, allergic reactions, fever and stomach problems. For most other medication a doctor's prescription is needed. In most pharmacy outlets there are two departments: one for self-medication and one for prescribed medication.
Most pharmacies are open 10-18, but two are open longer: