Healthcare
As an international student, you may need to access healthcare in Sweden at some point during your studies. Find out where to turn to and what applies to you if you need to seek healthcare.
Shortcuts to page contents:
- The Swedish healthcare system
- Accessing general healthcare – health centres
- Out-of-hours help
- Emergencies
- Sexual health, identity and contraception
- The Student Health Centre
The Swedish healthcare system
In Sweden, healthcare is largely subsidised by the government, but isn't entirely for free for citizens and residents. The quality of healthcare is generally high.
The Swedish healthcare system is decentralised and there are both public and private healthcare providers. Both types of healthcare providers need to adhere to the same regulations.
Accessing general health care – health centres
To see a doctor or nurse regarding a non-urgent medical issue, you turn to a public or private health centre ('vårdcentral') in Lund, Malmö or Helsingborg (or any other municipality you live in).
It's up to you to decide which local health centre you choose. You can find the health centres closest to you using the link below.
*If you wish to see the results for a specific municipality, for example Lund, you can type in the name of that municipality in the first search field, 'Var vill du söka?' and click 'Sök'.
Health centers are open daytime during weekdays for guidance, advice and visits. Some are also open in the early evenings. You can book an appointment by calling the reception. You will usually hear a voice in Swedish first, followed by a voice in English, saying "for English, press X", or similar. In some cases, you may be instructed to leave your phone number on the health centre's voicemail and they will call you back. Medical staff usually speak good English.
After your appointment, the health centre can refer you to a specialist if necessary. Note that waiting times for specialist consultations can vary depending on a number of factors.
When visiting a health centre
Always bring your identity card with you when you visit a health centre. If you're a student from the EU/EEA, you should also bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Out-of-hours help
Out-of-hours clinics
If you need a doctor in your municipality after 17:00 or during the weekend, you can call the following out-of-hours clinics depending on where you live:
- Lund, telephone: +46 (0)771 625 000
- Malmö, telephone: +46 (0)771 890 911
- Helsingborg, telephone: +46 (0)424 068 030
Free medical advice telephone service (open 24/7)
You can also call the free 1177 Healthcare Advice Line ('1177 Vårdguiden'), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 1177 (+46 771 1177 00 if you're using a foreign phone number) to get:
- medical advice from a registered nurse
- advice on how to take care of yourself
- information on where you can go if your condition calls for care by a physician.
Emergencies
For emergencies or life-threatening situations – dial 112.
It is also possible to go to the emergency department at a hospital directly, 24 hours a day.
Emergency departments at hospitals in Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg
The emergency department is called 'Akutmottagningen' or 'Akuten' in Swedish.
The hospital is called 'sjukhuset', 'universitetssjukhuset' or 'lasarettet' in Swedish.
- Universitetssjukhuset Lund. Address: Klinikgatan 15, Lund
- Universitetssjukhuset Malmö. Address: Ruth Lundskogs gata 5, Malmö
- Lasarett Helsingborg. Address: Karolina Widerströms gata 12, Helsingborg
Emergency psychiatric clinics in Lund, Malmö and Helsingborg
If you are experiencing acute psychological distress, such as thoughts about taking your life or harming yourself or others, we recommend that you contact your closest emergency psychiatric clinic.
- Lund, telephone: +46 (0)46 17 41 00. The clinic is at Baravägen 1, Lund.
- Malmö, telephone: +46 (0)40 33 80 00. The clinic is at Carl-Bertil Laurells gata 7, first floor.
- Helsingborg, telephone: +46 (0)42 406 27 30. The clinic is at Karolina Widerströms gata 10.
Sexual health, identity and contraception
If you have questions or issues related to sexual health and/or gender identity, or need information about pregnancy tests or contraception, see below:
The Student Health Centre
You can turn to the Student Health Centre if you are stressed, feeling low, experiencing sleep disorders or having difficulty adjusting to life in Sweden. Issues could also be related to your drinking or gambling habits, feelings of anxiety or something else that is affecting your mental well-being and which is linked to your study situation.
The Student Health Centres works with welfare officers, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists that have a duty of confidentiality. Their services are free of charge.
On their webpages, you will find tips and advice on how to address such problems. You can also book individual counselling sessions and take part in courses, lectures and support groups. Moreover, the Student Health Centre refer to a host of external parties offering counselling services that may be relevant to you and your situation.
More healthcare-related information on Canvas
Your Orientation Guide to Lund University on Canvas has detailed information regarding healthcare, local healthcare clinics, dentists and pharmacies.
Related links
- New students – pre-arrival information on health and insurance
- Healthcare in Sweden if you come from another country – 1177.se
- Country-specific information about health insurance – studyinsweden.se
- Medical insurance and claim forms
- Youmo.se – a website about the body, sex and health for young adults
- The student chaplains' counselling services