https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Sweden in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed What can you buy over-the-counter and what do you need a prescription for? And how do you get a prescription? Here's a guide to how to get the medication you need in Sweden. https://www.thelocal.se/20210811/explained-how-do-i-get-prescription-medicine-in-sweden Wed, 11 Aug 2021 17:03:09 +0200 explained-how-do-i-get-prescription-medicine-in-sweden Pollen season has made its way to Sweden, as allergy sufferers no doubt have noticed. To make your life easier, The Local has some handy tips for how to make it through the ordeal. https://www.thelocal.se/20180321/how-to-survive-the-pollen-allergy-season-in-sweden Wed, 21 Mar 2018 10:10:33 +0100 how-to-survive-the-pollen-allergy-season-in-sweden Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.se/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.se/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Set yourself the New Year's resolution of getting fit this year? Many Swedish companies offer their employees 'friskvårdsbidrag', a tax-free lump sum for "activities which incorporate some form of exercise" (like a gym membership) or "de-stressing" activities, such as a massage. https://www.thelocal.se/20230113/how-you-can-get-your-company-in-sweden-to-pay-for-you-to-get-a-massage Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:45:56 +0100 how-you-can-get-your-company-in-sweden-to-pay-for-you-to-get-a-massage Sweden is often cited as one of the best countries in the world for raising children, but what do international parents need to know when planning a move here? And can your children access healthcare without a Swedish personal number? https://www.thelocal.se/20211028/healthcare-what-you-need-to-know-when-moving-to-sweden-with-children Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:04:53 +0200 healthcare-what-you-need-to-know-when-moving-to-sweden-with-children Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure. https://www.thelocal.se/20260106/nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:35:35 +0100 nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries A new report by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) has highlighted the growing role of immigrant workers in delivering health and other welfare services, with more than half of all nursing assistants being immigrants. https://www.thelocal.se/20251208/more-than-half-swedens-assistant-nurses-are-now-immigrants Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:24:41 +0100 more-than-half-swedens-assistant-nurses-are-now-immigrants Authorities in Denmark have issued a warning over potential harmful chemicals in fake Labubu dolls after authorities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark confiscated almost 9,000 of the counterfeit toys. https://www.thelocal.se/20251204/nordic-countries-seize-thousands-of-potentially-harmful-fake-labubu-dolls Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:19:39 +0100 nordic-countries-seize-thousands-of-potentially-harmful-fake-labubu-dolls Residents of the Nordic countries ‒ Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Finland ‒ are eating more meat and less fruit and veg, moving less and getting heavier, a new report on lifestyles in the region has shown. https://www.thelocal.se/20251202/grim-reading-new-report-shows-nordic-countries-eating-worse-and-moving-less Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:31:58 +0100 grim-reading-new-report-shows-nordic-countries-eating-worse-and-moving-less It’s not pleasant but over the next few weeks and months many people will be falling victim to traditional winter illnesses, from a slight cold to a nasty dose of the flu. So if you are feeling poorly, here’s the Swedish words you need to get help. https://www.thelocal.se/20221005/coughs-colds-and-flu-what-to-say-and-do-if-you-fall-sick-in-sweden Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:58:00 +0200 coughs-colds-and-flu-what-to-say-and-do-if-you-fall-sick-in-sweden Sasan Kazemian, the Iranian doctor whose 'talent deportation' case has become national news in Sweden, has been refused a new work permit after leaving Sweden to apply from Iran, with the Migration Agency writing that he is "a threat to public order". https://www.thelocal.se/20251120/threat-to-public-order-doctors-swedish-blue-card-application-rejected Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:07:30 +0100 threat-to-public-order-doctors-swedish-blue-card-application-rejected Sweden's influenza vaccine programme is underway. How much does the flu vaccine cost in Sweden, and how can you book your jab? https://www.thelocal.se/20211021/explained-how-to-get-the-flu-vaccine-in-sweden Thu, 21 Oct 2021 13:27:41 +0200 explained-how-to-get-the-flu-vaccine-in-sweden Getting ill in a new or unfamiliar country is always an upsetting experience, but if you can't escape the pesky bugs that crop up around this time of year, you can at least use it as a Swedish-learning opportunity. https://www.thelocal.se/20181003/the-swedish-words-you-need-to-learn-as-flu-season-begins Wed, 03 Oct 2018 09:09:59 +0200 the-swedish-words-you-need-to-learn-as-flu-season-begins Shorter days make it much harder to get enough vitamin D during the colder months of the year in Sweden. Is it worth taking supplements during the winter? https://www.thelocal.se/20240913/should-you-take-vitamin-d-supplements-if-you-live-in-sweden Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:03:28 +0200 should-you-take-vitamin-d-supplements-if-you-live-in-sweden The Swedish Public Health Agency wants a total ban on snus in schools – not only for students but for teachers as well. The question now is whether the government will act on the proposal. https://www.thelocal.se/20250922/health-agency-calls-for-ban-on-teachers-snussing Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:22:54 +0200 health-agency-calls-for-ban-on-teachers-snussing New rules on the products used in nail salons came into effect across the EU on September 1st - here's what that means for manicure fans in Europe. https://www.thelocal.se/20250902/mythbuster-has-the-eu-really-banned-gel-manicures Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:15:58 +0200 mythbuster-has-the-eu-really-banned-gel-manicures Sweden's government will next year bring in a new subsidy for dental care which will more than halve the average annual cost for people over the pension age of 67 years old. https://www.thelocal.se/20250813/swedens-government-to-more-than-halve-dental-costs-for-pensioners Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:52:00 +0200 swedens-government-to-more-than-halve-dental-costs-for-pensioners It's something you would hope to avoid, but if you are in Sweden on holiday you may fall sick or be injured, in which case you will need to access healthcare. Here's how that works for tourists and visitors. https://www.thelocal.se/20250804/how-to-get-healthcare-in-sweden-as-a-tourist Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:20:09 +0200 how-to-get-healthcare-in-sweden-as-a-tourist You know about elk and bears, but in Sweden one of the most dangerous creatures is one of the smallest: the tick. https://www.thelocal.se/20200714/ticks-how-to-protect-yourself-against-ticks-vaccine-treatment-tbe-lyme-disease-sweden-2-2 Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:44:03 +0200 ticks-how-to-protect-yourself-against-ticks-vaccine-treatment-tbe-lyme-disease-sweden-2-2