🇸🇪 Sweden Healthcare Guide
Sweden's healthcare system is excellent and English is universally spoken by medical staff, but it's designed around the principle of triage — non-urgent issues are genuinely deprioritised, and wait times of several weeks for a GP appointment are normal even for residents. The national health advice line 1177 triages by phone and can direct you to the right level of care, which is worth knowing before you need it.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: universal-public
- Average GP visit: $75 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: Yes
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
Sweden’s public healthcare is high-quality but marked by long wait times, particularly for specialist referrals. Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm and Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg are world-class facilities. EHIC holders pay the same fees as Swedish residents: SEK 200–350 (€18–30) per GP visit. Walk-in access is through vårdcentraler (primary care centres), which can have waits of several days for non-urgent issues. The 1177 Vårdguiden helpline triages around the clock.
1177 medical helpline
Call 1177 for medical advice and help finding the right level of care. Available 24/7 across all regions.
Specialist wait times
Public specialist referrals can take weeks to months. For faster access, Sophiahemmet in Stockholm offers private specialist bookings.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Swedish pharmacies (apotek) are well-stocked and regulated. Medications are dispensed at standardised prices set by TLV (the dental and pharmaceutical benefits agency). Many medications OTC elsewhere in Europe require a prescription in Sweden. Carry your full supply and bring prescriptions with the international nonproprietary name.
Standardised medication prices
Sweden sets medication prices centrally through TLV. Prices are consistent across all pharmacies.
Tips for travellers
Karolinska in Stockholm and Sahlgrenska in Gothenburg are Sweden’s leading specialist referral centres. Public specialist wait times are Sweden’s main frustration, often exceeding the government’s 90-day waiting guarantee. Private options like Sophiahemmet or Capio specialist clinics offer faster access. Having your treatment history saved and accessible in English or Swedish helps specialists continue your care.
Private specialist alternatives
Sophiahemmet in Stockholm and Capio clinics across Sweden offer specialist appointments without the public queue.