Sweden – Prescriptions and Medications

What are pharmacies called in Sweden, and how do I recognise one?

In Sweden, pharmacies go by the name Apotek. This word is displayed prominently on the signage outside every pharmacy outlet, making them easy to spot. Most locations show the word “Apotek” in bold lettering, typically alongside a green cross — the widely recognised pharmacy symbol common throughout much of continental Europe — which will be immediately familiar to anyone accustomed to pharmacy signage in countries such as France, Germany, or Spain.

Sweden has approximately 1,400 outpatient pharmacies in total, and the sector is dominated by five main chains. The most prominent include Apoteket (formerly a state monopoly), Apotek Hjärtat (the country’s largest private pharmacy chain, with around 400 locations), and LloydsApotek. While each chain maintains its own identity and branding, all are governed by the same national regulatory framework and all operate under the Apotek designation.

Beyond outpatient pharmacies, the system also includes hospital pharmacies, dose-dispensing facilities, and online distance pharmacies. Since 2010, the government has permitted non-prescription medicines to be stocked in everyday retail outlets such as supermarkets and petrol stations, meaning some basic over-the-counter products can now be purchased outside a dedicated pharmacy setting.

Swedish pharmacies are professionally run and strictly regulated. In city locations particularly, staff frequently speak English, which can offer considerable reassurance to newcomers who are still finding their footing with the Swedish language.

What are pharmacy opening hours in Sweden?

Most Swedish pharmacies are open Monday to Friday, generally from around 09:00 to 19:00. Weekend opening is common at many locations, though with shorter hours than on weekdays. Hours differ between chains and branches: pharmacies situated in shopping centres or busy city streets tend to operate more extended hours than those in smaller towns or quieter residential areas.

While the majority of pharmacies adhere to standard hours, round-the-clock pharmacies do exist for situations where supplies or prescriptions are needed outside normal times — these are concentrated mainly in larger urban centres such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. If you urgently need to find one, searching online for dygnet runt apotek (24-hour pharmacy) will point you to the nearest available option.

It is worth being aware that 24-hour pharmacies may apply a small surcharge for after-hours convenience. In addition, most major hospitals in Sweden have an on-site pharmacy capable of providing medicines when needed urgently — these hospital pharmacies typically keep longer hours than standard outlets and represent the most practical option for pressing medical needs late at night or during weekends.

For non-urgent out-of-hours healthcare queries, Sweden’s national telephone advice service operates around the clock and can help you decide whether to visit a doctor, an urgent care clinic, or an emergency department. This service is routinely available in Swedish and often in additional languages too.

Which medicines can I buy over the counter in Sweden, and which require a prescription?

Sweden takes a comparatively cautious stance on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines relative to a number of other nations. Products commonly available without a prescription include paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, cold and flu preparations, throat lozenges, and topical antiseptics. The combined oral contraceptive pill, however, remains prescription-only in Sweden — unlike in certain countries where it has been reclassified as an OTC product.

Swedish pharmacy standards are exceptionally high, and pharmacists are thoroughly trained. They may ask questions before selling certain medicines — including some OTC items — to confirm appropriate use. This means that even for products technically available without a prescription, the pharmacist may wish to check your dosing history or potential drug interactions before completing the transaction, which can come as a surprise to those accustomed to simply taking items from a shelf.

Preparations classified as narcotics, medicinal products, or hormonal preparations under Swedish law — even if they carry no such classification in another country, whether EU-based or not — are subject to Swedish legislation when brought into or handled within Sweden. This means that some medicines that are freely obtainable elsewhere may be controlled or prescription-only here. If you are uncertain about a particular product, it is advisable to consult the pharmacist or check with the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket).

Purchasing medicines online from Swedish-registered distance pharmacies is both legal and regulated. However, ordering prescription medicines from overseas online pharmacies and importing them to Sweden is subject to customs controls and is generally inadvisable, as neither quality nor legal compliance can be guaranteed.

Will my prescription from another country be accepted in Sweden?

The vast majority of dispensing in Sweden relies on prescriptions issued within the Swedish healthcare system. A prescription from abroad is generally not accepted for dispensing purposes — you should bring your documentation and arrange an appointment with a Swedish clinician to obtain a renewal or equivalent prescription locally.

A partial exception applies to other Nordic countries. If your prescription has been issued in another Nordic country, the format, quantity, strength, and dosage of the medicine must be clearly specified to allow the product to be identified. The prescription must also include direct contact details for the prescriber — such as an email address, telephone number, or fax number with the appropriate international dialling prefix and country code.

High-cost protection is a legally regulated benefit, and it operates in such a way that those entitled to it pay reduced prices for their medicines when they hold a prescription issued in Sweden. This means that even in the limited circumstances where a foreign prescription might be accepted, you are unlikely to benefit from subsidised pricing unless your prescription originates from within the Swedish system.

EU citizens visiting Sweden on a temporary basis may use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access necessary treatment, which can extend to prescription medicines during a short stay. This does not, however, replace the need for a locally issued prescription once you are resident. New arrivals should make it a priority to see a Swedish doctor promptly so that any ongoing medication requirements can be covered by local prescriptions.

How do I get a prescription in Sweden?

Obtaining a prescription in Sweden follows a clearly defined process built around the primary care network. The main point of entry is the vårdcentral (health centre or GP clinic), with both public and private options available throughout the country.

1. Register with a health centre: Contact a local vårdcentral and request an appointment. Unlike some countries — for example the UK, where you must register with a specific GP — you can attend any public vårdcentral in your region without being assigned to a particular doctor.
2. Bring your medical documentation: Come prepared with a list of your current medications including active ingredients and dosages, along with any relevant medical records. This is particularly important if you are managing a long-term condition and require continuity of an existing treatment.
3. Receive an e-prescription: If deemed appropriate, the clinician will issue an electronic prescription. Sweden’s system is almost entirely paperless — all prescriptions are held electronically within the national prescription database.
4. Collect at any pharmacy: You can collect your medication from any pharmacy in the country. Because the prescription is stored electronically, you are not limited to a particular branch or chain — you can also opt for home delivery via an online pharmacy.
5. Show valid ID: Present a valid form of identification (such as your passport or Swedish ID card) and ask the pharmacist to retrieve your prescription from the national electronic system.

For urgent situations, healthcare providers can issue emergency prescriptions that are typically valid for up to 72 hours. Standard prescriptions are generally valid for one year, with multiple dispensing episodes permitted within that window — though the precise terms depend on the medication and the prescriber’s instructions.

How much do prescriptions cost in Sweden, and is there a subsidised medicines scheme?

Sweden’s high-cost protection scheme (högkostnadsskydd) ensures that individuals pay a reduced price for healthcare, dental treatment, medical travel, and medicines once their expenditure exceeds a certain threshold. This is the foundation of Sweden’s approach to keeping medicines affordable and is broadly analogous in principle to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or the UK’s prescription prepayment certificate — though the mechanics work differently.

Rather than charging a flat fee per prescription (as is the case in the UK), Sweden applies a sliding scale. You pay the actual cost of your medicines up to SEK 2,000, after which the high-cost protection scheme activates and a discounted rate applies. The total amount you will ever pay within a twelve-month period for medicines and other eligible products covered by the scheme is capped at SEK 3,800 (as of July 2025).

From 1 July 2025, the upper limit of the high-cost threshold for medicines was increased from SEK 2,900 to SEK 3,800, following an amendment to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Act. The government also revised how the discount is applied, so that the initial threshold now triggers a discount of only 25% rather than the previous 50%. These changes mean that patients will generally face higher out-of-pocket costs before the subsidy fully takes effect, and it is worth factoring this into your budget during your first year in the country.

You are entitled to high-cost protection if you are resident in Sweden. People from EEA countries and Switzerland may also be entitled to high-cost protection under certain circumstances when in Sweden. Those who work in Sweden but are not resident here are similarly entitled to most elements of the high-cost protection scheme.

Contraceptives are provided free of charge to individuals under 21 years of age. The Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (Tandvårds- och läkemedelsförmånsverket, TLV) determines which pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and dental procedures qualify for government subsidy. Not every medicine is automatically included — check with your pharmacist or through the E-hälsomyndigheten (eHealth Agency) to confirm whether a specific product is covered. Always verify current fee thresholds through official sources, as these figures are reviewed periodically.

Are brand-name and generic medicines both available in Sweden?

Both branded and generic medicines are readily obtainable in Sweden, and the system is deliberately structured to encourage generic use in order to reduce costs for patients and the state alike. The guiding principle for substitution is that products sharing the same active substance in the same quantity, and which are otherwise medically equivalent, should be replaced with the least expensive reimbursed pharmaceutical available.

Pharmacies are obliged to dispense the cheapest available generic equivalent, regardless of the product stated on the prescription, unless the prescribing clinician has formally opposed substitution in writing on medical grounds, or the dispensing pharmacist has objected to the substitution. In practice, if your doctor prescribes a branded medicine for which a cheaper equivalent exists, the pharmacist will routinely offer the generic as the default option.

Patients also have the right to decline the substitution if they are prepared to pay the price difference between the prescribed branded product and the generic alternative. If you have a clinical reason for preferring a particular brand — for instance, because of different excipients that may affect how well you tolerate the medicine — this can be discussed with your prescriber, who may document the preference on your prescription.

Swedish doctors typically prescribe using the active ingredient name (generic name) rather than a brand name, which simplifies the substitution process for pharmacists. This approach mirrors prescribing practice in many publicly funded healthcare systems across Europe.

What should expats know about bringing medications into Sweden from abroad?

You are permitted to bring medicines purchased in another country into Sweden provided they are intended solely for your own personal use and serve a medical purpose. It is not permitted to bring in medicines intended for anyone other than yourself. The person importing the medicines must be in a position to demonstrate that they are for personal use — for example by presenting a prescription, a pharmacy label, or a letter from a doctor.

When travelling from EU/EEA countries, you may bring both prescription and over-the-counter medicines for personal use up to a maximum quantity equivalent to one year’s supply. For those arriving from outside the EU/EEA, the permitted quantities may differ, and you are advised to check with Swedish Customs (Tullverket) or the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) before you travel.

Stricter rules apply to medicines classified as narcotics and performance-enhancing substances. When travelling to or from Sweden with such medicines, you are required to carry a certificate listing the medicines in your possession — this requirement applies to both OTC and prescription medicines in these categories. In Sweden, a certificate can be obtained free of charge from a pharmacy. Each certificate is valid for the duration of the journey but for no longer than 30 days. Where several different types of medicine are involved, a separate certificate is required for each type.

Preparations classified as narcotics, medicinal products, or hormonal preparations under Swedish law — even if they hold no equivalent classification in another country — are subject to Swedish legislation when brought into or handled within Sweden. No customs duties, VAT, or other taxes are payable on medicines imported for personal medical use. However, for controlled substances the rules are considerably stricter: you may bring a 90-day supply of regular medications but only a five-day supply of controlled substances, and Swedish customs does not accept foreign prescriptions for narcotics.

Rules in this area are subject to change. Always confirm the current requirements with Tullverket (Swedish Customs) or the Swedish embassy in your home country before travelling, particularly if you take any controlled, narcotic, or otherwise restricted substance.

How do private health insurance and public healthcare affect prescription costs in Sweden?

Sweden’s healthcare system operates across both public and private sectors. The public side is funded primarily through local income taxes, supplemented by central government grants and modest patient fees that account for only a small proportion of the total cost of a healthcare visit. This broadly resembles the structure of publicly funded systems such as France’s Assurance Maladie or Australia’s Medicare, though the administrative arrangements differ.

To access the public healthcare system and benefit from the högkostnadsskydd medicines subsidy, expats generally need to be formally registered as residents in Sweden and hold a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer). Until this number has been issued, your integration into the healthcare system may be incomplete, and you may find yourself paying the full costs of appointments and medicines out of pocket before seeking reimbursement where applicable.

Where privately funded healthcare is concerned, costs are borne mainly by patients themselves. Private health insurance plays a relatively modest role in the Swedish system and is most commonly offered as an employee benefit by employers. If you hold international or private health insurance, it is worthwhile confirming with your insurer whether outpatient prescriptions and pharmacy costs in Sweden fall within your policy’s scope. Many international expat health plans provide some level of prescription coverage, but the terms can differ considerably between policies.

Sweden’s national subsidy scheme places a ceiling on what registered residents pay for eligible prescription medicines within any 12-month period. The specific thresholds are subject to revision, so it is important to check current figures through official channels. If you are concerned about costs, ask your clinic or pharmacy to clarify how high-cost protection eligibility applies to your circumstances. The 1177 Vårdguiden website is the official national patient information portal and a valuable first resource for understanding your entitlements.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I run out of medication in a medical emergency in Sweden?

Most major hospitals in Sweden have an on-site pharmacy capable of providing medicines in urgent situations — these hospital pharmacies typically operate longer hours than standard outlets and are your most reliable option if you have a pressing medical need late at night or over the weekend. You can also contact Sweden’s national healthcare advice line (1177) at any hour for guidance on whether to go to an emergency department, an out-of-hours clinic, or another facility.

How do I find a pharmacist who can help me in a language other than Swedish?

Swedish pharmacies are generally straightforward to use in languages other than Swedish, and staff at branches in city centres and larger towns commonly speak English. If language assistance is important to you, visiting a central branch of one of the major chains is your best bet. The 1177 healthcare advice line also provides multilingual support, and your employer’s HR department may be able to recommend a clinic with staff experienced in serving international patients.

How do I manage a chronic condition during the transition period before I have a Swedish personnummer?

Prior to receiving your personnummer, you may not yet be fully enrolled in the healthcare system and will likely need to cover the costs of consultations and medicines yourself. It is advisable to arrive with a sufficient supply of your regular medication from your home country — up to a 90-day supply for non-controlled medicines, in line with current guidance — as well as a detailed letter from your doctor specifying active ingredients, dosages, and the medical reason for each prescription. Make an appointment at a vårdcentral as soon as possible after arriving in Sweden so you can begin the process of obtaining local prescriptions without delay.

Can I order my prescription medicines online from a Swedish pharmacy?

Yes. The major pharmacy chains offer digital services accessible around the clock via their websites and apps, with a range of delivery options available. To use these services, you will need your Swedish personal identity number and a valid e-prescription recorded in the national system. Be aware that importing prescription medicines ordered from pharmacies outside Sweden is subject to customs controls and is not recommended.

Are children’s medicines and vaccines treated differently in Sweden?

The standard prescription and subsidy arrangements apply to children’s medicines in the same way as for adults. Contraceptives are available free of charge to those under 21 years of age. Childhood vaccinations forming part of the national immunisation programme are delivered at no cost through the public healthcare system. If your child requires a particular medicine that a pharmacy does not have in stock, it can usually be ordered for collection the following day.

Will my EHIC card cover prescription costs in Sweden?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles holders from EEA countries to receive necessary medical care in Sweden on the same basis as Swedish residents — this can include access to subsidised prescription medicines during a temporary visit. However, the EHIC is not intended as a replacement for residency registration and is not designed for people living abroad on a long-term basis. Once you are resident in Sweden, you should register within the local healthcare system to gain full access to the högkostnadsskydd scheme.

What happens to my high-cost protection record if I move to a different part of Sweden?

Through the e-service “Läkemedelskollen”, you can view your high-cost benefit status and track how much you have spent during your current high-cost period. Since the system is both national and entirely electronic, your prescription and expenditure records remain with you regardless of where in Sweden you are based. Relocating to a different region does not reset your high-cost counter — your cumulative spend over a 12-month window is tracked centrally and is unaffected by which pharmacy you use.

Which authority should I contact if I have concerns about a medicine’s quality or safety in Sweden?

The Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) is the national body responsible for approving, supervising, and monitoring the safety of medicines in Sweden. If you suspect you have experienced an adverse reaction to a medicine, you can submit a report directly through their website. For questions about reimbursement eligibility and which medicines are included in the subsidy scheme, the relevant authority is TLV (Tandvårds- och läkemedelsförmånsverket).