A healthcare centre is a clinic that is usually close to where you live. It may also be called a health centre (hälsocentral), a GP surgery (husläkarmottagning) or a doctor’s office (familjeläkarmottagning).

A healthcare centre is staffed by doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They can help if you or someone in your family is sick or depressed.

The healthcare centre is open on weekdays

The healthcare centre is always open during the day from Monday to Friday. Some healthcare centres may also be open at other times.

You usually need to make an appointment before you come.

You can search for a healthcare centre near you here. The page is in Swedish.

If you need to seek care when the healthcare centre is closed, you can turn to an urgent care centre. These are open evenings and weekends.

You can search for an urgent care centre here. The page is in Swedish.

If you are seriously injured or become very ill, seek care at an emergency department of a hospital. They are open 24 hours a day. You do not need to make an appointment beforehand.

In an emergency department, the sickest people get help first. This means that if you are not seriously ill, you may have to wait to receive care.

Call 112 if the matter is very urgent, or if your or someone else’s life is in danger.

The person who answers can speak Swedish and English, but can get help from an interpreter if needed. An ambulance will be sent if you or someone who is ill needs urgent care at an emergency department.

There are special centres for children up to the age of six. These are called child health centres (barnavårdscentraler). A child may go there regularly, and will also receive their vaccinations there. You can search for a child health centre here. The page is in Swedish.

In some places, there are special hospitals and emergency departments for children.

A youth guidance centre (ungdomsmottagning) is for young people between the ages of 13 and 25. There, you can get help with things like contraception, pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted diseases, counselling and advice.

Read more at youmo.se.

You can find a youth guidance centre here. The page is in Swedish.

There are special centres for women. These are called midwifery clinics (barnmorskemottagning), maternity centres (mödravårdscentral) or women’s clinics (kvinnohälsovård). At these centres, you can get advice, and help with contraception and testing for various diseases, for example. You can also come for check-ups if you are pregnant.

When you are due to give birth, you may go to a maternity ward. They are open 24 hours a day.

You can search for a midwifery clinic here. The page is in Swedish.

You may sometimes need care at another clinic, such as a dermatology clinic for your skin, a psychiatric clinic for mental health or an eye clinic for your eyes.

For such a visit, you may need what is known as a referral. A referral contains information about the examination or treatment you require. The healthcare professional you see at the healthcare centre can send the referral.

You may have to wait for some time for an appointment at one of these clinics.

Dental care is often more expensive than other care. Ask about the cost before you visit. Children and young people usually get dental care for free.

You can find a dental care centre here. The page is in Swedish.

The amount you pay when seeking healthcare in Sweden varies. For example, it costs more to seek care at an emergency department than at a healthcare centre.

The cost also varies depending on your age, and whether you live in Sweden or come from another country.

There is often no charge for children and young people.

You may be entitled to an interpreter if you do not speak Swedish. The interpreter is sworn to secrecy. 

You will not have to pay for assistance by an interpreter. Contact your healthcare clinic before you go to get help in your language.

Read more about interpretation into your language here. 

All staff are sworn to secrecy. This means that staff are not allowed to tell anyone outside of healthcare anything about you. This secrecy applies to all healthcare staff you meet, including interpreters and pharmacy staff.

When you seek care, you need to say your name and who you are. If you have any documents that prove your identity, it is a good idea to take them with you.

The site youmo.se contains information on secrecy and confidentiality for young people. The text is available in several languages.