Student blogs

Hej everyone! In my last blog, I covered how to book regular doctor appointments and navigate the basics of Sweden’s healthcare system as a student. But what happens when you need emergency and special health services in Sweden like pregnancy care, children’s healthcare, or mental health support?

I know many of us, especially international students, can find this part confusing or even intimidating. So in this blog, I’m walking you through how emergency care works, where to turn for special services, and how to make sure you’re not left in the dark when you need help the most. Let’s break it down — student to student.

When it’s an emergency – call 112

If you or another student ever find yourself in a life-threatening situation—like severe injury, chest pain, trouble breathing, or anything that needs urgent attention—you call 112. This is Sweden’s national emergency number, just like 911 or 999 in other countries.

The operators speak English, so don’t worry if your Swedish isn’t perfect. They’ll ask you a few quick questions, and based on your answers, they’ll send an ambulance (I usually see air ambulances at Karolinska Hospital too), police, or fire services if needed.

Pro tip: Save 112 in your phone, even if you hope to never use it.

Cost: You’ll be billed around 400-500 SEK if you need an ambulance. Not cheap, but worth it when you need it.

Emergency room (Jourmottagning, Akutmottagning)

If it’s urgent but not life-threatening, for example, a broken bone or severe infection, you can go directly to the emergency room (Akutmottagning/Akuten or Jourmottagning).

In Stockholm, the main hospitals with ERs are Karolinska University Hospital (Solna and Huddinge), Södersjukhuset, and Danderyds Hospital. And there are various places for Jourmottagning or speciality Akuten like Ortho, Gyn, or surgery and more.

You’ll be seen based on how serious your condition is, not on who came first (triage system). If your case isn’t super urgent, be prepared to wait several hours. Bring snacks, your charger, and patience.

Cost: ER visits cost around 400-500 SEK if you have a personnummer. If you don’t, it’s more expensive, so having health insurance is a must if you’re still waiting on your registration.

Urgent care (Närakut) – Faster than the ER

For same-day care that’s urgent but not severe enough for the ER, your best bet is a Närakut (Urgent Care Center). They handle things like:

• Bad infections
• Sprains and minor fractures
• Severe allergic reactions
• Cuts needing stitches

These are faster than full ERs but can still have wait times during busy hours.

Cost: Around 300-400 SEK. You can always find your nearest Närakut on 1177.se — just search for “Närakut” and your city.

Care for women and maternity services

There are three basic centers for women. The midwifery clinics (barnmorskemottagning), maternity centres (mödravårdscentral) or women’s clinics (kvinnohälsovård).

If you’re pregnant or planning to be, congratulations! Sweden offers amazing prenatal care, and it’s free if you have a personnummer. You’ll be linked to a Barnmorskemottagning (Midwife Clinic) for all your regular check-ups. You will then follow up in a special digital healthcare service called Alttid Oppet.

Here’s what you get:

• Regular check-ups to monitor you and your baby’s health
• Free prenatal screenings and ultrasounds
• Parental classes (sometimes even in English)
• Access to midwives and doctors if complications arise

The other centers provide various services, like contraceptives or testing for diseases.

Healthcare for children

There are two centers for children too. Child health centres (barnavårdscentraler) until 6 years of age, and a youth guidance centre (ungdomsmottagning) (13-25 years olds). Therefore, if you have kids in Sweden, you’ll get a free service that tracks your child’s growth, vaccinations, and general health until they start school.

They also provide:

• Parenting advice
• Routine check-ups
• Vaccinations covered under Sweden’s national program

Mental health support

Being a student is amazing but can also be stressful, especially if you’re far from home. Mental health support in Sweden is available, and I encourage you to reach out if you ever need it.

Here’s where to start:

• The Student Wellbeing Center at KI offers free counseling and mental health support.
• You can also contact your Vårdcentral for a referral to a psychologist or counselor. This may take time, so be patient.
• For more urgent mental health support, some hospitals have psychiatric emergency units (Psykiatrisk Akutmottagning) where you can walk in without an appointment.
• Websites like Mind also offer helpful resources and helplines in English.

Now, you’re probably wondering about dental care. Well, unless it’s an acute emergency, you’re pretty much on your own. Your private insurance might cover part of it, but let’s be honest, it is expensive. When I went for a consultation about an impacted root, the cost estimate was around 20,000 SEK. Since I can still smile just fine, I decided to happily postpone that visit!

Finally, Sweden’s healthcare system might feel confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll appreciate how organised and accessible it is — even for international students. Whether it’s a small health concern or something urgent, you’ll always have options.

And if you’re ever unsure, just call 1177 — they’re always there to help you figure out where to go and what to do next.

Hope this guide helps! If you have any questions or your own experiences to share, drop a comment — let’s help each other out.