Care if you are an asylum seeker or do not have a permit to be in Sweden

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.

Read more about how healthcare works in Sweden.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.