POSTAL SERVICES
Post Offices: Postal services in Sweden are now provided by supermarkets and kiosks marked with the blue and yellow post sign. Postal charges: International letters and postcards of up to 20 grams cost SEK 10; and SEK 5,50 within Sweden. Stamps and aerograms are on sale at supermarkets and kiosks, where there is a blue and yellow post sign, and also at most bookstalls and stationers.
TELEPHONE SERVICES
Payphones:
There are two types of payphone, using prepaid phone cards or credit cards. Phone cards are available from newsagents’ shops or kiosks (e.g. Pressbyrån). Credit-card phones (indicated by “CCC” or Tele2 sign) are also widely available.
Dialling Britain from Sweden:
Dial 0044 then the number required, omitting the first zero in the area code.
Dialling to Sweden from:
UK: Dial 0046GERMANY: 0046
USA: 01146
ITALY: 0046
CHINA: 0046
SCHWEIZ: 0046
(The country code is followed by area code (omitting initial zero) and the number required.)
Dialing from Sweden to:
GERMANY: 0049
FRANCE: 0033
USA: 001
ITALY: 0039
CHINA: 0086
SCHWEIZ: 0041
Mobile phones:
Coverage in southern Sweden is almost 100% and also on the main roads and along the coast in the north of the country, but not in the more sparsely populated areas.
CONSULAR SERVICES
UK
Consular section at the British Embassy in Sweden:
Skarpögatan 6-8
Box 27819
SE-115 93 Stockholm
Tel +46-8-671 30 00
fax +46-8-662 99 89 (opening hours 9am- 5pm)
www.britishembassy.se .
There is also a British General Consulate in Gothenburg:
Södra Hamngatan 23
SE-411 14 Göteborg
Tel +46-31- 339 33 00
fax +46-31-339 33 02
ITALY
Italienska konsulatet
Gibraltar Herrgård
Gibraltargatan 17
412 58 Göteborg
tel:+46 (0)31 711 03 81
fax: +46 (0)31 711 75 75
USAEmbassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31
115 89 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel: + 46 (0)8 783 53 00
GERMANY
Tysklands Honorärskonsul
Nils Ericsonsg. 17
404 21 Göteborg
tel: +46 (0)31 722 36 00
fax: +46 (0)31 722 37 00
CHINA
Folkrepubliken Kinas Ambassad
Konsulära avdelningen
Djurgårdsbrunnsv. 40
115 27 Stockholm
Tel: +46 (0) 8 579 362 48
FRANCE
Franska konsulatet
Kungstorget 2
411 17 Göteborg
tel: +46 (0)31 774 28 90
SWITZERLAND
Schweiz Ambassad
Valhallavägen 64
Box 26143
100 41 Stockholm
Tel:+46 (0) 8 676 79 00
EMERGENCY PHONE CALLS
Dial 112 for emergency assistance from police, fire brigade, ambulance etc. Emergency calls from payphones are free of charge.
MEDICAL AND DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Medical treatment: British citizens are entitled to the same medical services as the Swedes. Be sure to take the E111 form, available in the UK through Post Offices and Department for Work and Pensions offices (formerly Social Security offices). You will have to show this form if you need medical treatment in Sweden.
Medical system:
The general practitioner system does not apply in Sweden. Instead, you visit the nearest hospital clinic (“Akutmottagning” or “Vårdcentral”), taking your passport and E111 form with you. E111 can only be used when treatment is urgent. The fee for staying in a hospital overnight depends on the care you need. (Free for children under 16).
Medication:
Prescriptions are dispensed at pharmacies (“Apotek”), which are generally open during normal shop hours. A 24-hour service is available in the major cities. If you are already on medication make sure you have an adequate supply before leaving for Sweden.
Dental treatment:
Dental surgeries or clinics are indicated by “Tandläkare” or “Folktandvård” signs. An emergency service is available in major cities out of hours.
THE SHOPPER’S GUIDE
Shopping hours: Generally between 9am and 6pm on weekdays and until between 1pm and 4pm on Saturdays. In larger towns, department stores remain open until 8pm or 10pm and some are also open on Sundays between 12 noon and 4pm. Shops generally close early on the day before a public holiday.
Bargain hunting:
Special signs indicate sales or price cuts. “REA” denotes a sale; “Extrapris”, used along with red price labels, shows discounts of at least 10%; and “Fynd” shows special offers.
Handicrafts:
Everywhere in Sweden, even in small villages, you’ll find “hemslöjd” shops where you can buy traditional handicrafts like knitwear, needlework and wood carvings.
Markets and fairs: Many traditional markets and country fairs are held in Sweden throughout the year. Some are big events attracting thousands of visitors. Inquire at local tourist offices about markets in the area you are visiting.
