112 – Emergencies

Call 112 in case of emergencies, such as urgent medical conditions, active crimes or fire. Only call 112 in emergency situations.

114 14 – Non-urgent police matters

Call 114 14 for all non-urgent police matters, such as providing information or reporting crimes that are not ongoing. If calling from abroad or from foreign mobile phones, please call +46 77 114 14 00.

113 13 – Information in case of accidents and crisis

Call 113 13 for information about major accidents and crisis in Sweden. If calling from abroad or from foreign mobile phones, please call +46 77 33 113 13.

1177 – Non-urgent healthcare issues

Call 1177 for non-urgent healthcare issues. Calls are answered by registered nurses 24 hours a day. If you are calling from abroad or from a foreign mobile in Sweden, call +46 771 1177 00.

Important public announcement (IPA)

Important public announcement, IPA, is the system used to alert the public in case of accidents, serious events, or disruptions of important services.

Important public announcements (”Viktigt meddelande till allmänheten” or ”VMA” in Swedish) are broadcasted through different channels:
– via radio and television
– from Krisinformation.se via their website, app and social media
– as voice messages to landlines in the affected area
– as text messages to your mobile phone, if it is registered or used in the affected area
– via outdoor warning signal

Note that information about IPAs is primarily broadcasted in Swedish. This means that information in English will initially be limited. Use translation tools to keep updated on information and directions from authorities.

IPA signal

In most Swedish towns and cities, IPAs may be issued via the outdoor warning signal. If you hear the IPA signal, it means there is an imminent threat to life or health. Go indoor immediately, shut windows, doors, and ventilation. Listen to Sveriges Radio P4 for more information (in Swedish).

Test of the IPA warning system

The outdoor warning system is tested at 15.00 (3 pm) on the first non-public holiday Monday in March, June, September, and December.

The signal will sound for 7 seconds, with 14 second breaks, for a total of 6 times. Afterwards, the “danger over” signal is also tested, which is an uninterrupted 30-second signal.

Weather warnings from SMHI

In Sweden, the government weather agency, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), provides weather forecasts and issues weather warnings. When a weather warning is issued, it means that the weather may pose a risk to people and cause societal disruptions, such as traffic disruptions or power outages.

Weather warnings may be issued for storms, heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and lightning. SMHI also issues warnings regarding high water levels, which may result in flooding.

Except from these weather warnings, SMHI might also issue warnings for potential forest or brush fires, and for high temperatures that are expected to affect people’s health.

Warnings are published in English on the website of SMHI no later than 24 hours before the warning goes into effect. Swedish media usually provide information about weather warnings when severe disruptions are expected.

Warning classifications

Weather warning class 1 is the lowest class of warning. This kind of warning means that the weather could lead to risks to public safety and disruption of some public services.

Weather warning class 2 is the second highest class of warning. This kind of warning means that the weather could be dangerous to people, cause considerable structural damage, and significant disruption of important public services, such as electricity, phone service and transportation. The public is urged to monitor new information via internet, radio or TV.

Weather warning class 3 is the most serious class of warning. This kind of warning means that there is a risk of extreme weather that could be very dangerous to the general public and cause major disruptions to important public services. The public is urged to monitor new information via internet, radio or TV.