Care if you are an asylum seeker or do not have a permit to be in Sweden
Vård om du är asylsökande eller inte har tillstånd att vara i Sverige - engelskaIf you are an adult asylum seeker, you have a right to receive medical and dental care that is deemed as urgent. This also applies if you are in Sweden without a permit. If you are under the age of 18, you always have the right to medical and dental care.
Care that is deemed as urgent includes, for example, being fitted with a plaster cast if you break your leg.
Right to care in Gävleborg Region
If you need treatment, prescriptions or medication, go to your nearest health centre. Call 112 in an emergency and if someone's life is in danger. This could be if you are having trouble breathing, are badly injured, have chest pains or if someone is unconscious. The emergency centre will know if an ambulance is needed.
If you are aged 20 or over and are seeking asylum, staying in Sweden without a permit or have a temporary permit, you are always entitled to emergency care or care that cannot be delayed.
If you have lived in Gävleborg County for a long time, you are also entitled to care that can be delayed. This could be care you need if you get an infection, have high blood pressure or have other long-term illnesses. This means that you can seek care when you need it, whether it is urgent or not.
Children under the age of 20 are entitled to free health care on the same terms as all other children registered in Sweden.
Care guidance
If you need care and do not know where to turn to, or if you do not speak Swedish, you can call the care guides on telephone +46 650 925 35.
The care guides are nurses who can speak English. They will help you contact a health center to book an appointment. Tell them if you need an interpreter.
How do I seek care?
If you or someone in your family needs medical care, you can usually get help at a healthcare centre (vårdcentral). It may also be called a health centre (hälsocentral), a GP surgery (husläkarmottagning) or a doctor’s office (familjeläkarmottagning).
If you are unsure where to seek care
You can always call 1177 if you are unsure where to seek care. You can choose to speak Swedish or English.
The nurse who answers the 1177 helpline can also give you advice on what you can do to make yourself feel better.
LMA card if you are an asylum seeker
When you seek asylum, you will receive a special card from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). This is called an LMA card. You must present the card when you seek care.
Children also receive an LMA card when they seek asylum.
What should I do if I come from Ukraine?
Register with the Swedish Migration Agency if you are a refugee from Ukraine. You will then get the same medical and dental care as people seeking asylum.
You will also be offered a health check.
Present your UT card when you seek care
You will receive a special card when you register with the Swedish Migration Agency. This is called a UT card. You must present the card when you seek care. This applies to both children and adults.
Everyone over the age of 12 is offered free vaccination against COVID-19.
If you are not registered with the Swedish Migration Agency
If you are not registered with the Swedish Migration Agency, you can receive emergency care, but will have to pay for it yourself.
How much does healthcare cost?
There is no charge for healthcare for children up to the age of 18. This applies to both children seeking asylum and children who do not have a permit to be in Sweden. There may sometimes be a charge for children seeking care at an emergency department.
Adults pay for care
If you are aged 18 or older, you pay a fee for medical and dental care.
Examples of healthcare costs
- Visiting a doctor at a healthcare centre costs a maximum of SEK 50.
- Visiting a dentist costs SEK 50. This applies to dental care that is urgent.
- Prescription medicines cost a maximum of SEK 50. However, some medicines, such as cough medicines, cost the full price.
Examples of healthcare that is free of charge
- Visits to a midwifery clinic.
- Maternity care.
- Visits to a children's healthcare centre (BVC).
Free health check for adults and children
All adults and children seeking asylum in Sweden are offered a health check. This is free of charge.
If you are in Sweden without a permit, you will be offered a health check when you seek healthcare. You will not have to pay for this.
Ask for an interpreter to get help in your language
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 to arrange help in your language before your visit.