Healthcare in Sweden in other languages

In English: Summary of Swedish healthcare

• Swedish healthcare is available to all residents and is largely financed through taxes.
• The health centre (”vårdcentral”) is your first point of contact for most health problems and can help you with a wide range of ailments.
• Meliva offers primary health care, specialised health care, and digital healthcare services, on behalf of the Swedish public regions. You can contact a Meliva health centre to get help.

How do I see a doctor in Sweden?

To see a doctor in Sweden, ”vårdcentralen”, the health centre, is your first stop. Here, general practitioners and nurses work who can assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and provide treatment.

You can book an appointment by calling your health centre, using their website, or via digital healthcare apps like Meliva’s app.

Can I visit any health centre?

In Sweden, you have the freedom to choose which health centre you want to belong to. This is called ”listing yourself”. You can list yourself at a health centre near your home or work, or one you trust.

Changing health centres is free of charge and easily done via 1177.se. Meliva has several health centres where you can list yourself, read more about listing here.

How do I see a specific type of specialist?

If your ailments require more specialised health care, your general practitioner at the health centre can write a referral to a specialist. In some cases, for example in private healthcare, you can seek a specialist directly without a referral. Meliva offers specialised health care in several areas, both with and without a referral.

In the Stockholm region there is an exception for gynecology, which you as a patient can contact directly.

Healthcare for those coming from another country

The rules for healthcare in Sweden vary depending on your citizenship and residency status. It is important to know what applies to you. In urgent cases, you always have the right to care that cannot wait.

EU/EEA citizens and Swiss citizens

If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and are temporarily visiting Sweden, you are entitled to necessary care. You receive this care at the same cost as Swedish residents. For this, you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You order this card from your home country.

If you plan to seek care in Sweden, you may need a special certificate from your home country. Without a certificate, you pay the full cost yourself. You can then apply for reimbursement in your home country.

Non-EU/EEA citizens with a coordination number or temporary stay

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and have a coordination number, or are temporarily staying in Sweden, you usually pay the full cost of care yourself. However, Sweden has agreements with certain countries, such as Australia and Turkey. These agreements may entitle you to certain care at the same cost as Swedish residents. Contact Försäkringskassan for more information on what applies to you.

Non-EU/EEA citizens without a coordination number

If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and do not have a coordination number, in most cases you pay the full cost for all care. This applies to immediate, necessary, and planned healthcare. However, in acute and immediate care needs, you always receive care.

Interpretation and information

If you have difficulty understanding or speaking Swedish, you are entitled to interpreter assistance. Contact the healthcare provider in advance to inform them that you need an interpreter. More detailed information is available on 1177.se and Försäkringskassan’s website.

Meliva’s role in Swedish healthcare

Meliva is part of the Swedish health and medical care system and offers primary health care, child health care (BVC), specialised health care, and occupational health care. We strive to offer high-quality and accessible care. Our digital services, such as the Meliva app, make it easy to receive care and advice regardless of your location.

Guidance to Meliva’s services

If you have health problems or need advice, you are welcome to contact Meliva. We can help you with everything from acute ailments to long-term healthcare. Our experienced teams are here to provide you with safe and effective care.

In general, the best place to start for all non-urgent medical needs is the vårdcentral (health care centre).

Revised April 7th 2026