All children in Sweden have the same right to get health, medical and dental care. This includes children who are asylum-seekers or who are living in hiding. Adult asylum-seekers are entitled to some health and medical care services.
An asylum-seeker is a person who has applied for asylum in Sweden in accordance with the UN’s universal declaration of human rights and who is waiting for notification about whether he or she can stay in Sweden.
An asylum-seeker cannot be registered as a resident of any municipality. All asylum-seekers must be able to produce a valid LMA card. LMA is an abbreviation for the law governing the reception of asylum-seekers and an LMA card is a temporary document for asylum-seekers in Sweden. It is issued by the Swedish Migration Board.
Both child and adult asylum-seekers in Sweden are entitled to a health care consultation and a medical examination. These are free of charge.
Child asylum-seekers have the right to the same health and medical care as all other children in Sweden. Children who are living in hiding are also entitled to full care services.
Health and medical care is free for asylum-seeking children and young people under 18 years. Dental care is also free of charge for children and young people. However, a visit to an Accident and Emergency department at a hospital costs 120 kronor.
Children that are under school age get health care from nurses and doctors at child welfare centres.
Children that have started school get health care from the school health service’s nurses and doctors.
Children and young people can also go to other care providers, for instance, care centres/family doctor’s surgeries, paediatric wards or psychiatric clinics for children and young people.
Adults are entitled to care that is urgently required, e.g. in the event of acute illness, chronic disease, anxiety or pain. When you go for help, the doctor or other care personnel will assess whether you are in need of urgent treatment.
Pregnant women are entitled to free antenatal and maternity care. They are also entitled to have an abortion. Advice on contraception is free of charge.
Adult asylum-seekers are entitled to emergency dental care, i.e. care that is urgently needed.
Stockholm County Council has contracted a number of care centres to provide health care consultations and counselling. See the links at the top right under Mottagningar (Medical centres)
For other care services, you are free to make an appointment at any care centre of your choice. All care centres in the county of Stockholm accept asylum-seekers. At the care centre, you can see a doctor or nurse, get a referral to a specialist, a prescription for medicine etc.
If you are suddenly afflicted by illness or injury, you can go to a local emergency clinic or to the Accident and Emergency department at one of the hospitals.
If you need dental care, contact the national dental health service Folktandvården.
Most of the cost of the care you receive is paid for by the state. However there is a patient’s fee that you must pay yourself.
If you do not understand Swedish, you are entitled to the help of an interpreter when you go for a health or medical appointment or for dental care. This does not cost you anything. You or your lawyer must tell the care provider that you need an interpreter before your appointment. The interpreter can either be with you in person during the visit or can interpret over the telephone.
If you need advice about illnesses, health or where to go for care, call the medical care advisory service Vårdomsorg (Care Guide):