How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Sweden?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Europe
1The Quick Answer
The main emergency number is 112 (police, fire, ambulance); 114 14 reaches non-emergency police; 1177 is the 24/7 healthcare advice line.
2What You Need to Know
Sweden uses 112 as the single universal emergency number for police, fire brigade, and ambulance — it works from any phone including without a SIM card. For non-urgent police matters such as reporting theft or filing a report, 114 14 is the correct number and avoids tying up emergency lines. The 1177 healthcare line is staffed 24 hours by registered nurses who provide medical advice and direct callers to appropriate care, including in English. All emergency operators in Sweden speak English and are trained to handle calls from international visitors.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Call 1177 for any medical question before going to an emergency room — nurses assess urgency and can save you hours of waiting for a non-emergency issue
- 2Save 114 14 in your phone for non-emergency police contact such as theft reports — 112 is for genuine life-threatening emergencies only
- 3112 works even without a SIM card or mobile data and will connect to the nearest emergency service — the operator will speak English
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