Healthcare in Sweden

National Health Advisory Helpline (1177)

If you need medical advice in Sweden, you can call 1177 (+46 771 11 77 00 if calling from abroad), which is available 24 hours a day. A nurse will assess your situation, advise you on self-care, and guide you on where to go if you need medical attention. You can also visit www.1177.se for detailed information about healthcare services, self-care advice, and regional healthcare centres.

Health insurance options for studies longer than 12 months

If you are studying at Karlstad University for longer than 12 months you should apply for a Swedish personal identity number “personnummer” to access the public healthcare system in Sweden and pay a subsidized fee. The processing time for receiving a Swedish personal identity number is normally up to five weeks. 

Learn more about how to obtain a Swedish personal identity number here (länka till sidan om personnummer)

If you need medical care before you have received the Swedish personal identity number: 

• Use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), if you're an EU/EEA citizen.
• Use your insurance through Karlstad University (FAS+ for tuition-paying students). Please note that FAS+ does not cover regular, non-urgent medical check-ups. 

Health insurance options for studies shorter than 12 months

If you are studying at Karlstad University for less than 12 months, you cannot register for a Swedish personal identity number (“personnummer”) and will therefore not be covered by the Swedish social security system. However, you will still be covered by student insurance provided by Karlstad university. Make sure to carefully read the information about your coverage and determine whether your student insurance is sufficient or if you need to arrange additional coverage for your stay.

Primary health care  

When you need to access medical or mental health care, the first choice is often a local healthcare centre (“vårdcentral”). Here you can see a doctor, counsellor, nurse and sometimes other health professionals. You can also get a referral for specialist care, such as a psychiatric care clinic, a speech and language pathologist or a dermatology clinic, depending on what is assessed to be necessary in your case.   

Some healthcare centres have drop-in hours but normally you need to book an appointment. You can do this by phone or on site. Some clinics have a digital booking system accessed by logging in on 1177.se, which requires some kind of e-identity (BankID, Freja+ or Foreign eID). Healthcare centres are open during the day on regular weekdays.  

You are free to make your choice among the different healthcare clinics in your region and, and you can change healthcare centre up to twice per year. 

Urgent care clinics 

An urgent care clinic (“jourmottagning”) provides medical care for non-life-threatening conditions that need attention outside regular primary healthcare hours. Examples include minor injuries, sudden illnesses, or infections.

If you need urgent care, you can:

• Call 1177 for advice on whether you should visit a clinic
• Visit the nearest urgent care clinic in Karlstad “Vårdcentralen Gripen”

For life-threatening emergencies, always call 112.

Emergency hospital care  

In the event of a serious or life-threatening illness or injury, you should go to an accident and emergency unit (“akutmottagning”), which is open 24 hours a day. You do not need an appointment.

• If your condition is life-threatening, call 112 for an ambulance.
• If you are unsure about the severity, call 1177 for medical advice and guidance to the nearest emergency hospital.

Urgent psychiatric care

If you need urgent psychiatric help, you can turn to psychiatric out-of-hours care centres or emergency psychiatric clinics.

• If your condition is severe or life-threatening, call 112 for an ambulance.
• If you are unsure where to go, call 1177 for advice and guidance to the nearest appropriate facility.

Sexual health clinics  

At the sexual health clinic, you can get support if you have concerns about sexuality, sexual health, or gender identity.

At the STI clinic, you can be tested for sexually transmitted infections free of charge, and get contraceptive advice, prescriptions, and insertion of contraceptives.

Clinics in Karlstad:

• STI-mottagningen (STI Clinic)
• Mottagningen för sexuell hälsa (Sexual Health Clinic)

Youth Centres  

If you are under 23 years old (or under 25 at some centres), you can visit a Youth Health Centre (“Ungdomsmottagning”) free of charge.

At the centre, you can receive support for:

• Counselling and guidance on sexual health, sexuality, or gender identity
• Contraceptives and pregnancy tests
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections

At some centres, you can also book free appointments with a psychologist or a gynecologist.

• Ungdomsmottagningen Druvan (Youth centre in Karlstad)

Student Health services

Karlstad University offers Student Health Services to support students’ physical, mental, and sexual health. The services are available to all students and are designed to help you stay healthy and succeed in your studies.

Appointments can be booked via the Student Health Services office or online through the university’s student portal.

Learn more about Student Health services

National helpline for mental health support 

In addition to regular healthcare services, Sweden has a confidential helpline offering support from trained counsellors for anyone experiencing emotional distress or difficult situations. You can call about issues such as anxiety, life crises, or suicidal thoughts.

The helpline is open 24/7 and free of charge.

• Call from Sweden: 90390
• Call from abroad: 020-290390

Dental care   

Dental care in Sweden can be expensive. If you have a Swedish personal identity number, you may be eligible for partial subsidies for certain dental treatments. Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland can access emergency dental care using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Ask your dentist or dental hygienist how much an examination or treatment will cost when you book the appointment. Call 1177 or visit 1177.se to find a dental care clinic.   

Dental care clinics in Karlstad