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.
If you are in Västerbotten County and have a temporary residence permit, you are entitled to receive healthcare on the same terms as Swedish citizens. The same thing applies if you are seeking asylum or if you are present in Sweden without a permit.
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).
Västerbotten
For children aged younger than 20 years, healthcare is free of charge.
Dental care is free of charge until the end of the year of your 23rd birthday.
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.
Health checks and vaccinations
When you have registered with the Swedish Migration Agency, you will be contacted by Region Västerbotten with an invitation to attend an appointment for a health check.
When attending the health check, you will meet with a nurse. Children aged up to, and including, 18 years will also be examined by a doctor. Adults may see a doctor if this is necessary.
You can also submit samples for testing – for example, to find out whether you might have an infectious disease. Children will be vaccinated against various diseases, in accordance with Sweden’s vaccination programme.
If you are an adult and have neither had measles, nor have received two doses of the vaccine, you will be offered vaccination against measles. You may also be offered vaccination against other diseases, depending on which vaccinations you have already received.
Everyone who is 12 years or older are also offered vaccination against COVID-19.
Vaccinations against COVID-19 and measles are free of charge, regardless of age. Adults aged 20 years or older must pay a fee for all other vaccinations.
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.