Health Care and Medical Prescriptions

As an international student, you may need to access health care in Sweden at some point during your studies. Via the link below, you can find general information on how the health care system in Sweden works. Information on pharmacies and how to book a doctor's appointment is also found here.

Health Care, by Lund University

Prescriptions written by Swedish doctors and over- the-counter medicine are available at local pharmacies (Apotek). The most common over-the-counter medicines can also be found in grocery stores near the cashiers.

If you regularly take prescription medication, check if your prescription medication is allowed through customs in Sweden (and Denmark if you fly into Copenhagen airport). Follow the instructions from the Swedish Medical Products Agency regarding what you are allowed to bring and how much.

Bring prescriptions and documents that confirm that the medicine is for you (in English if possible). Bring as much prescribed medicine as possible (according to the guidelines in the link below) since it may be difficult to get the same type of medicine in Sweden. If you’re not able to bring enough medicine to Sweden, please contact a doctor early on during your stay, so you can make sure you have the help you need. The medicine you take in your home country may not be allowed in Sweden and it may take a long time to try out a type of medicine that works for you.

Travelling with medicines - Läkemedelsverket.se

If you have transits on your way to Sweden, or you travel via Denmark, please remember to check the regulations regarding traveling with medicines for the specific country/countries that you might travel via or through”.

Weather in Sweden

It is winter in Sweden from mid-November to the end of February. Snow is expected in most parts of the country, but in the southern parts there will probably be rain mixed with snow. The temperature varies between -10 to +5 degrees Celsius.

Spring arrives in March and lasts throughout April and May. The temperature will rise to almost 20 degrees Celsius. The wonderful summer comes to Lund in June and stays until mid-September. Summer temperature lies approximately between +17 to 30 degrees Celsius.

In the Autumn, September - November, rain starts to fall and the temperature decreases to around. + 5 degrees but can go below 0 degree Celsius. In December winter arrives again and snow might start to fall. Since Skåne, the very southern part of Sweden, is very flat and windy, it is a good idea to bring windproof- and warm clothes.

Telephones

Students, with a SIM card from a country in the European Union can normally use their SIM card in Sweden for a limit period of time. Contact your phone company back home or read more on the website below.

Roaming: Using a mobile phone in the EU, by Europa.eu

International students, from outside the EU, generally use a Swedish prepaid SIM-cards for their cell phones while living in Sweden. Free, unloaded, SIM- cards will be provided at the Arrival Day but SIM-cards can also be bought in food stores and convenience stores. Students studying in Sweden for less than 12 month will encounter problems getting a monthly telephone subscriptions since this requires a personal number.

When you have access to internet you can use different apps och social media accounts to communicate with friends and family. This is the cheapest option, especially for long distance calls. Note that collect calls from Sweden are expensive.

Electricity

The electricity in Sweden is 220 volts and 50 cycles/sec (Hz). As British and American outlets differ from Swedish, you may need to bring a transformer and/or adapter for your electrical appliances from your home country.

Internet access

As a student you have access to internet via student computers and the wireless network all over the university by using your student account details. Lund University is connected to Eduroam and there are also several hot spots in Lund City. Most student accommodations with LU Accommodation and AF Bostäder include wired internet access. However, in some cases you need to make your own internet arrangements and buy your own router.

Swedish date and time notation

In Sweden dates are generally and officially written for example ”2020-04-31” (YYYY-MM-DD) but the older forms ”31/4 2020” or ”31/4-20” are frequently seen informally. Week numbers are frequently used to refer to certain day spans.

Time is written without notable exceptions with the 24-hour clock where the day runs from midnight to midnight into 24 hours, indicated by the hours passed since midnight, from 0 to 23. The day begins at midnight 00:00 and the last minute of the day begins at 23:59. As an example of this system, 6am is written 06:00 while 6pm is written 18:00. The 24-hour notation is popularly referred to as military time or astronomical time in the US and Canada.

Daylight saving time

Like most countries in Europe, Sweden temporarily adjusts time to enjoy longer daylight during the summer period. Winter time: the clock is adjusted backward one hour on the last Sunday in October. Summer time: the clock is adjusted forward one hour on the last Sunday in March.

Emergency numbers

The emergency phone number in Sweden is 112 (ambulance, police and fire department). Emergency calls are always free of charge. If you need to make a report to the police the national number is 114 14. This number applies to all non-urgent police matters. The campus security number at Lund University is 046-222 07 00.

Narcotics

All types of illegal drugs are strictly forbidden in Sweden. There are severe penalties against using or selling illegal substances. Driving under the influence of narcotics or alcohol is prohibited by law.

Tap water

Tap water in Sweden is of very good quality and safe to drink. It is often available free of charge at cafes and restaurants. There is also possibilities to refill water bottles at university buildings and no need to buy a new bottle.

Getting around

In Lund the most convenient mode of transportation is by bike. You can get everywhere in Lund within 20 minutes by bike, so it is the superior choice of transportation. If you would like to visit other areas of the Skåne region, you can travel by bus or train. The region has a very refined public transport system. It is convenient to travel to Malmö, Helsingborg or any location in Skåne with the help of public transport. Some trains and buses also offer the possibility to bring your bike with you onboard. Although, make sure to check availability and if complementary ticket is needed.