Fritt vårdval in Engish means free choice of care. This means that you are free to go to any health centre in Sweden you want. The only restriction is that the health centre must be run by, or have an agreement with a Swedish county council or region.

Quick guide to What is fritt vårdval in English in Sweden (updated for 2025).

The regulation of fritt vårdval covers medical treatments provided by:

• health centres – vårdcentral
• child welfare centres – barnavårdscentral
• midwife’s clinics – barnmorskemottagning
• youth clinics – ungdomsmottagning
• outpatient specialist clinics – specialist

Note: you generally need a referral in order to receive specialist treatment in Sweden.

Your county council will assign you a health centre, unless you actively choose one. You are however free to switch to another health centre whenever and for whatever reason that might be. Learn more about Sweden’s free choice of care -fritt vårdval at Vårdguiden.

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Further reading

• Work in Sweden guides
• Learn Swedish

FAQs

Healthcare Fees & High‑Cost Protection

Regions set patient fees. A national högkostnadsskydd caps your outpatient costs over a 12‑month period. After reaching the cap, further visits are free for the remainder of that period.

Official sources

• 1177 – Patient fees
• 1177 – High‑cost protection

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