Healthcare in Sweden: 1177 and your health centre

Who this guide is for

This guide is for adults living in Sweden who need to contact healthcare. It explains 1177 and choosing a health centre (vårdcentral).

Call 112 if someone is seriously ill or injured and needs help immediately. For healthcare advice, call 1177. For routine care, contact a health centre.

When should I call 1177?

Nurses answer 1177 day and night. They assess your need for care and explain where to seek help. Use this service if you are unsure where to turn, including when your health centre is closed.

With a foreign phone number, or from abroad, call +46 771-11 77 00. English and other-language help is available in some regions, according to 1177’s English introduction.

The current calling instructions let you stay on the line without entering a personal identity number. You do not have to identify yourself digitally to make the call.

Contact a health centre

A health centre is usually the first place to contact for routine care. Some are called hälsocentral or husläkarmottagning.

Use 1177’s Find care directory to find a clinic’s telephone number and opening hours. The directory is in Swedish. Choose your region on 1177 to see local information.

Call the clinic about an appointment. Usually, you need to book before visiting. Follow the clinic’s instructions, including how to cancel if you cannot attend.

Many clinics also offer booking or contact through 1177’s online services. The available services differ between clinics. Logging in requires electronic identification and a Swedish personal identity number. If you cannot log in, contact the clinic by phone.

Choose your regular health centre

Choosing to belong to a health centre is called listing (lista sig). The national guide to choosing a clinic explains the options. Check your region’s instructions before making a choice.

Automatic listing differs. In Skåne, people who make no choice are listed at their nearest centre. Newcomers to Stockholm must choose a centre themselves.

There are paper options as well as online services. Skåne’s instructions allow a form to be sent or handed in. Stockholm’s instructions explain handing in a form with identification. Ask your chosen clinic which process applies.

Listing does not prevent you from temporarily seeking care at another health centre. Contact that centre about the care you need.

Language and communication support

Tell the clinic when booking if you need an interpreter, and name the language. 1177’s interpreter guidance explains how interpretation works.

For calls to 1177, its communication support instructions describe video-phone interpretation in sign language and Teletal support.

Check fees with the clinic

Healthcare charges vary by region, type of care and personal circumstances. Ask the clinic what applies to your visit. Choosing a clinic does not establish which fees or healthcare rights apply to you.