How to find pharmacies, medical help and emergency assistance
The countries you’ll be visiting on your Scandinavian adventure are all famously safe for travellers. That being said, we’ve listed some useful information below, just in case of an emergency.
Emergency services
In each country, you can call 112 to reach the emergency services. If you need to visit an emergency room in Denmark (the locations of some are listed below) then you’ll need to call 1813 before you go, or ask someone at your accommodation to call for you.
Urgent care
(For minor, non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses)
All of the Scandinavian destinations have a high standard of healthcare. You’ll be able to find medical clinics and general practitioners throughout the country for regular doctor appointments or non-emergency treatments.
- In Tallinn, there’s the East Tallinn Central Hospital, located at Ravi 18 (tel: +3726661900) or the North Estonia Medical Centre, located at J.Sütiste tee 19 (tel: +3726171049).
- In Helsinki, there are the Helsinki University Hospitals (“Helsingin Yliopistollinen sairaala HUS”) in several locations (tel: +358 9 471 72432).
- In Stockholm, there are many healthcare centres called “Vårdcentralen” which you can visit. One central option is Capio Vårdcentral Södermalm, at Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 25, 4tr, 118 50 (tel: +46855510400).
- In Copenhagen, there’s the Amager Hospital, at Italiensvej 1, 2300 (tel: +45 38628282) or the Bisperbjerg Hospital, at Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 (tel: +45 38635000).
- In Oslo, there’s the Norwegian Medical Center (“Norsk Legesenter”), at Pilestredet Park 7 (tel: +47 22 98 05 00) or the Volvat Medisinske Senter, at Borgenveien 2A (tel: +47 22 95 75 00).
- In Bergen, there’s the Volvat Medisinske Senter-Bergen, at Laguneveien 9 (tel: +47 55 11 20 00).
In any location, you can also ask the front desk staff at your accommodation to recommend doctors in the area.
Emergency room
(For life-threatening injuries or illnesses)
Below, we’ve listed some emergency rooms by city. They are all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- In Tallinn, there’s an emergency room at the West Tallinn Central Hospital Emergency Medicine Department, at Paldiski mnt 68, 10617 (tel: +372 650 7233).
- In Helsinki, there are emergency departments at two locations: Meilahti Tower Hospital (“Meilahden tornisairaala”) at Haartmaninkatu 4 rakennus 1, 00290 (tel: +35894711) and Haartman Hospital (“Haartmanin sairaala”) at Haartmaninkatu 4 Rakennus 12, 00290 (tel: +35894711).
- In Stockholm, the emergency room is Södersjukhuset at Sjukhusbacken 10 (tel: +46 8 616 10 00).
- In Copenhagen, there are emergency rooms at the two main hospitals: Amager Hospital, at Italiensvej 1, 2300 (tel: +45 38628282) or the Bisperbjerg Hospital, at Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 (tel: +45 38635000). They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but you’ll need to call the helpline at 1813 before going.
- In Oslo, the “legevakt” (emergency room) is located at Storgaten 40 (tel: +47 22 93 22 93).
- In Bergen, there is an emergency room at the Haukeland Hospital at Haukelandsveien 22, 5009 (tel: +47 55 97 50 00).
Dentists
(For emergency treatment)
Each of the main cities in Scandinavia have dental surgeries offering emergency treatment. If you need urgent dental care, we recommend asking at the front desk of your accommodation. They’ll be happy to help you find a dentist nearby.
Pharmacies/chemists
All of the pharmacies listed below sell general medicines like painkillers and allergy relief. Their staff can also offer advice on minor medical issues. They are all generally open Monday-Saturday between 9 AM - 5PM and closed on Sundays.
- In Norway and Sweden, pharmacies are called “Apotek” and have green “a” signs.
- In Denmark, pharmacies are called “Apotek” and usually have black signs showing this word.
- In Finland, pharmacies are called “Apteekki” and have a bright green “+” sign.
- In Estonia, pharmacies are called “Apotheka” and have red or orange “a” signs.
Health insurance
To be totally relaxed on your Scandinavia adventure, you should purchase comprehensive travel insurance before your trip. Insurance is not available through Nordic Visitor. Scandinavian citizens must show their passport in the event of a medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or else the patient will be charged in full.
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