Important phone numbers to save in Sweden
A lost passport, a child with a high fever, or a road accident are situations where no one wants to start looking up numbers under stress. Therefore, it's wise to save important phone numbers in Sweden before they are needed. This applies whether you live in the country, study here, visit relatives, or plan a longer stay from the USA.
Sweden has short and clear numbers for many public services. But which number is appropriate depends on the urgency of the situation. Dialing the correct number from the start can save time and provide faster help.
Important phone numbers in Sweden for emergencies
The number most people need to know is 112. Call 112 when there is danger to life, health, property, or the environment and help is needed immediately. This number goes to SOS Alarm, which dispatches an ambulance, rescue services, police, or other community resources depending on the situation.
Examples of situations where 112 is the right choice include a traffic accident with injuries, an ongoing fire, a serious violent crime, acute illness with breathing difficulties, or when someone is unconscious. It is also the correct number if you suspect a person is in immediate danger.
When you call, try to speak calmly. First, explain what has happened and where you are. An exact address is best, but road numbers, bus stops, towns, or clear landmarks also help. Do not end the call until the operator tells you to do so.
112 should not be used for non-urgent questions, prescription renewals, minor injuries, or general information. Doing so risks delaying emergency help for someone else.
Information number 113 13 for major incidents
In the event of major accidents, storms, public disturbances, or other serious incidents, you can call 113 13. Here you will receive confirmed information about what is happening and what advice applies. This could involve, for example, water outages, evacuations, extensive traffic stoppages, or power supply disruptions.
However, 113 13 is not an emergency number. If you or someone else needs urgent help, always call 112.
Police, healthcare, and everyday safety
Not all police matters are urgent. For reports, tips, and questions that do not require immediate police intervention, the number is 114 14. This could involve a theft that has already occurred, an attempted fraud, vandalism, or a lost item.
If you are calling from the USA or another country, Swedish short numbers may work differently. For police matters from abroad, +46 77 114 14 00 is normally used. Keep in mind that an ongoing crime or an acute risk situation should still be handled locally where the event is taking place. If a relative in Sweden is in danger, try to reach the person, a neighbor, or another close contact on site while also contacting the appropriate authority.
For healthcare advice, call 1177. Nurses will help you assess symptoms and guide you to the appropriate level of care: self-care, a primary care center, an out-of-hours clinic, or an emergency department. This number is particularly useful when you are unsure if your symptoms are serious enough for emergency care.
1177 is not a substitute for 112. In cases of suspected stroke, heart attack, severe allergic reaction, heavy bleeding, or life-threatening conditions, do not wait for healthcare advice. Call 112 immediately. From abroad, you can often reach healthcare advice at +46 771 11 77 00, but advice is primarily given in Swedish and availability may vary.
In case of poisoning or suspected poisoning
Has someone ingested medication, chemicals, mushrooms, plants, or anything else that could be dangerous? If there are acute symptoms or if the situation feels serious, call 112 and ask to speak with the Poisons Information Centre.
For less urgent questions, the Poisons Information Centre can be reached at 010-456 67 00. Please have information ready about what the person ingested, approximately how much, and when it happened. Do not assume that milk, vomiting, or home remedies will help – the wrong action can sometimes make the situation worse.
Support when life feels difficult
Some calls are not about emergency services, but can be just as important. For children and young people, there is BRIS at 116 111. Children can call, chat, or write anonymously to talk about anything from family conflicts and bullying to anxiety and vulnerability.
The national helpline for people exposed to threats, violence, or sexual abuse is Kvinnofridslinjen 020-50 50 50. It is open 24/7 and the call does not show up on your phone bill. Despite the name, others besides women can also receive guidance on domestic violence.
For those with suicidal thoughts or who are worried about someone else, there is Mind's Suicide Helpline at 90 101. In immediate danger, always call 112. It can be difficult to determine the line, but it is better to call the emergency number once too often when someone's life may be in danger than to wait.
Travel, roads, and everyday disruptions
Sweden is large, and weather can quickly affect roads, trains, and ferries. For traffic information on the roads, you can call Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) at 0771-921 921. There you can get information about accidents, roadworks, queues, and difficult road conditions. This is practical before a long car journey, especially during winter when snow, ice, and strong winds can quickly change conditions.
In a car accident without personal injuries, you do not always need to call 112. If possible, move the vehicles out of the way, document the damage, and exchange contact and insurance details. But if there are injured persons, a risk of fire, hazardous goods, or a traffic hazard that cannot be safely resolved, you should call 112.
If your bank card has gone missing or you suspect fraud, you should block the card with your bank immediately. Swedish banks have different blocking numbers, so save your own bank's emergency number separately. Do not wait until the next weekday, especially if the card is linked to a mobile wallet or if you see unauthorized purchases.
Save the numbers in a way that works
It's not always enough to know the numbers by heart. Save them in your phone with clear names, for example, "EMERGENCY 112", "Healthcare Advice 1177", and "Police non-emergency 114 14". This will make them easy to find even if someone else needs to use your phone.
It's also smart to write down important information in your phone: allergies, medications, personal identity number if you have a Swedish one, insurance company, and contact persons. For families, it's good if children who are old enough know their name, address, and at least one phone number for an adult.
For those who live in the USA but have family, a summer house, or business in Sweden, there's an extra detail to remember: Swedish numbers are often written with a leading zero within the country. When calling from the USA, the country code +46 is used, and the first zero is usually removed. A Swedish number starting with 08 thus becomes +46 8 when calling from abroad. Short public service numbers like 112, 1177, and 114 14 do not always follow the same pattern, so check the international calling option before an urgent situation arises.
Have the right number at hand
The most important numbers are easy to remember: 112 for acute danger, 114 14 for non-emergency police matters, 1177 for healthcare advice, and 113 13 for information during major disturbances. The rest depends on your daily life, your family, and where in Sweden you are.
Take two minutes to save the numbers now and please tell your family where they can be found. When something unexpected happens, it's a small preparation that can make a big difference.