Student blogs

Hey everyone! I’m back with one of the most common (and important) questions I’ve been asked: How do you access healthcare in Sweden? In this blog, I’ve covered the usual (and simplest) ways to get the non-emergency medical help you need without the stress.

I know it can feel a bit daunting at first—whether it’s figuring out where to go, dealing with long wait times, or realizing that not every medication is easily available. But trust me, once you understand how the system works and plan ahead, it becomes much easier.

Personnummer and BankID

If you’ve been in Sweden for even a minute, you’ve probably heard these two terms thrown around everywhere. And if you haven’t—oh, you will. From setting up a bank account to booking a doctor’s appointment, personnummer and BankID are at the center of everything.

So, what’s the deal? If you’re studying in Sweden for more than a year, you might be eligible for a personnummer, which makes accessing healthcare (and basically life) much smoother. If your studies are shorter, you’ll likely get a coordination number instead. And then there’s BankID—which you’ll soon realise is the magical key to everything digital in Sweden.

Do you need them to access healthcare? Not necessarily. But do they make life way easier? 100%. Therefore, get your personnummer or coordination number and BankID first thing when you are in Sweden.

1177.se – The digital health portal

When it comes to non-emergency healthcare in Sweden, 1177.se is your go-to platform. It’s basically the digital gateway to all things healthcare-related—booking doctor’s appointments, accessing medical records, getting prescriptions, and even receiving healthcare advice.

Now, how do you use it? Let’s walk through it step by step. Logging into 1177.se
To access 1177, you’ll need to log in using your BankID and social security number (personnummer). Here’s how:

Go to 1177.se.
Click on “Logga in” (Log in).

Choose BankID as your login method.
Open the BankID app on your phone.

Scan the QR code displayed on the screen or approve the login request.
Once you’re in, you’ll have access to various healthcare services, including booking an appointment, viewing past medical records, and renewing prescriptions.

Booking a Doctor’s Appointment (Non-Emergency Cases)
If you need to see a doctor or nurse for a general check-up or non-urgent medical issue, here’s what to do:

1. Choose Your Healthcare Center (Vårdcentral)

On 1177.se, go to “Välj/ändra vårdval” (Select or Change Care Options).
Find and register with a vårdcentral (your primary healthcare center).
I personally chose one based on proximity to where I live.

2. Book an appointment

Once registered, navigate to “Boka tid” (Book an appointment).
You can either view previously booked appointments or schedule a new one.
Fill in details about your symptoms or the reason for the visit.

3. Choose Your Preferences

Select the type of professional you’d like to see (doctor, nurse, etc.).
Pick preferred days and times that work best for you.
Note: The final appointment time will be assigned by the clinic based on availability.

4. Wait for confirmation

You’ll receive a response in your inbox message on 1177 with your appointment details.

The doctor’s visit – What to expect

When the appointment day finally arrives (which, trust me, can feel like forever), the visit itself is quite smooth. I waited a month for my first visit. However, Swedish healthcare professionals take their time, ask detailed questions, and make sure you feel heard.

If lab tests are needed, they’ll either be done the same day or scheduled separately. If medication is prescribed, don’t expect a paper prescription—everything is sent digitally to Apoteket.se, where you can access it and buy your medicine from any pharmacy. Of course, you need your BankID and personnumer for this too.

One thing to keep in mind is Sweden’s healthcare system is heavily tax-funded, which means visits are affordable but not entirely free. My first appointment last year cost me 200 SEK, and this year, it was 270 SEK, a minor contribution. Specialist visits usually cost more, but don’t expect huge out-of-pocket expenditure.

Checking your health records – Journalen

Something I find super convenient about Swedish healthcare is how everything is digital, including your medical history. Through 1177.se, you can log in and check your journal (your health record), which includes:

Doctor’s notes from past visits
Lab results and diagnoses
Medication history
Upcoming and past appointments, among others.

This is great for keeping track of your health, especially if you move between different clinics or need a summary of past treatments.

Final thoughts

Accessing healthcare in Sweden might seem a bit frustrating at first, especially if you’re used to a walk-in system. But once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty efficient and well-organised

The key takeaways?
Get your personnummer and BankID as soon as possible.
Register with a vårdcentral early and book appointments through 1177.se.
Expect some waiting time, but know that the care quality is excellent.
Keep track of your medical history through Journalen.
Healthcare isn’t completely free, but costs are affordable and capped annually.

I hope this guide makes things clearer for anyone seeking Sweden’s healthcare system for the first time! Read more.