Health- and medical care
A personal identity number (personnummer) is given to all persons who have a residence permit valid for one year or more. The number gives you access to reduced costs in the Swedish health- and medical care system. All you have to do is to give your number whenever you visit a clinic or hospital. If you have a residence permit valid for less than a year, you will be given a coordination number (samordningsnummer). Please note that a coordination number does not entitle you to any health care benefits and you will have to pay for medical care.
Health centres
If you fall ill or need medical care or advice, you should contact your local health centre, (husläkarmottagning/vårdcentral). Each residential area has one or more health centres. To find out which one you are affiliated to, call the Stockholm Healthcare Guide Hotline, “Vårdguiden”, and choose the alternative general information (allmäninformation), the phone number is 08-320100. If you have any questions about health check-ups for children or about parental care, you can ask your health centre. Doctors there can also refer you to a specialist, if necessary.
Local Emergency Ward
Local emergency ward (Närakut) provides immediate treatment for “minor” injuries and illnesses. Open daily 08.00–22.00 hours. Call before a visit. For more information, call Vårdguiden on
08-320100.
Emergency hospitals
In a major emergency, dial 112 and ask for the police, ambulance, fire brigade or poison information. In emergencies you can visit one of the major hospitals:
- Karolinska University Hospital, Solna; 08-51770000
- Astrid Lindgrens Children’s Hospital: 08-51777102
- Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge: 08-58580000
- Danderyd Hospital: 08-6555000
- Söder Hospital: 08-6161000
- St Erik’s Eye Hospital, Polhemsgatan 50: 08-6723100
- St Göran’s Hospital, S:t Göransplan 1: 08- 58701000
A doctor’s visit costs around SEK 140, while a visit to a specialist or to the emergency clinics at the hospitals costs around SEK 260. These costs are subsidised by the Swedish State, the actual cost for a normal visit being SEK 1,700–2,000. If you don’t have a Swedish personal identity number or an EU Health Insurance Card, you must pay the full cost yourself.
Pharmacies
A doctor’s prescription is generally needed to obtain drugs at Swedish pharmacies, except for common OTC medicines such as aspirin. You can get advice on treatment for minor illnesses such
as headache, cold and cough, allergic reactions, fever and stomach problems. The pharmacies “Apoteket” are generally open from Monday to Friday 09.00–18.00 hours,
Saturday 09.00–13.00 hours. The C.W. Scheele pharmacy at Klarabergsgatan 64 (underground T-Centralen) is open round the clock.
Dental care
If you are staying for more than a year, have a Swedish personal identity number and pay taxes in Sweden, you have access to reduced dental care costs. EU/EEA citizens are entitled to use the emergency dental care services on the same basis as Swedish citizens, provided they are covered by health insurance in their home country and can produce an EU Health Insurance Card. Remember
that the cost of dental care is not fixed, so you should always ask your dentist how much the treatment will cost before it starts.
For an ordinary check-up, you can contact the Dental Public Service (Folktandvården) or a dentist of your choice.
Dental Public Service (Folktandvården)
Emergency dental care is available at St Erik’s Hospital, Polhemsgatan 48, phone 08-545 512 20.
