Health care information for exchange students
Sweden's health and medical care generally holds to a high standard. On this page, you find basic information about health care in Sweden relevant for exchange students. Visit the official website 1177.se for more detailed information about Swedish health care.
Urgent emergencies
112 is Sweden's and the EU's national emergency number. You should call 112 when you or someone else needs urgent help that poses an immediate risk to health, life, or property.
The number connects you to SOS Alarm for ambulance, police, the fire department or mountain and sea rescue.
Other resources such as acute poisoning information, emergency social services, on-call priests and environmental rescue services at sea can also be reached through 112.
If you fall ill
You can call the official medical advice number Sjukvårdsrådgivningen 1177 twenty-four hours a day, all year-round health care advice over the phone.
A trained nurse will answer your questions, determine the need for further care and recommend which, if any, health care agency you should visit.
Telephone: +46 771 11 77 00.
The service is free of charge.
Uppsala University's emergency number
In the event of a serious incident at Uppsala University and/or when in need of a security officer due to difficult situations, call the University's emergency number.
Telephone: +46 18 471 25 00 (open 24 hours)
A serious incident can be one of the following:
- Death
- Burglary
- Risk of serious personal injury or damage to the environment or property
- Threats and/or violence
- Accidents
- Fire
- Other events with the risk of serious impact
Cost
For holders of a Swedish personal identity number or a European Health Insurance Card healthcare is largely tax-funded. However, there is a fee for most visits to a doctor, nurse, and other healthcare professional. The cost varies; it is higher at an emergency department than a healthcare centre.
If you are not a holder of a Swedish personal identity number or a European Health Insurance Card, there is no tax funding. You will have to pay the total cost upfront. If insured, you may later claim from your insurance.
The university insures all exchange students. But in some cases, supplementary insurance is still needed. Read what is included carefully in the insurance and decide whether you need additional coverage.
For more information regarding insurance please see the page about insurance for exchange students.
Medication
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are available at local pharmacies. Over-the-counter medicine can also be found at larger grocery stores near the cashiers. Pharmacies are open during regular shopping hours, although some may be closed on weekends. The pharmacy at the University Hospital in Uppsala is open after hours.
If you use prescription medicine, make sure to look over your needs well before travelling to Sweden. Some medicines may not be available in Sweden, although they have been prescribed to you in your home country. Note that the use of antibiotics is strictly monitored in Sweden.
If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number or a European Health Insurance Card, we recommend bringing any medication you use. Note that strict rules apply to medicinal products containing, e.g., narcotic or doping substances. Make sure your medication is not classed as an illegal substance in Sweden before bringing it.
You can read more about travelling with medicines on the Swedish Medical Products Agency's website.
Dental care
Dental Care is not tax-funded in the same way as health care in Sweden and is, therefore, more costly.
If you are from an EU country, EEA country, Switzerland or the UK and are studying in Sweden, you will pay the same price as people insured in Sweden if you bring your European Health Insurance Card.
Students who are not included in the group above a covered for emergency dental care by the Student IN insurance. But the compensation is limited.
For more information regarding insurance please see the page about insurance for exchange students.
Student Health Services
The Student Health Service helps you with issues associated with life as a student. It may concern issues caused by stress, sleep problems, low self-confidence, performance anxiety, speech anxiety, too much alcohol or other things that make student life complicated.
A team of counsellors and health pedagogues offer courses, workshops and individual counselling. They also have a light room.
The services are free of charge for Uppsala University students, including exchange students.
For more information please visit the page of the Student Health Services.