Emergency Assistance

Who may we help?

According to Swedish law (2003:491), we may legally assist:

• Swedish citizens living in Sweden
• refugees and stateless persons living in Sweden

and also, in certain circumstances and to varying degrees:

• Swedish citizens living abroad
• foreign citizens living in Sweden

What may we help you with?

• advice on how to transfer money from Sweden (helping you help yourself)
• issuing of new passports
• contact with family and relatives, via the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in a disaster or emergency
• solving practical problems in case of illness, accident, death or other emergency
• contact with SOS-International or Euro-Alarm
• assignment of a public defense attorney in case of arrest or indictment
• advice and assistance to victims of violent crimes
• referrals to attorneys, physicians or interpreters
• information about evacuation in case of war or other major crisis

What may we not help you with?

• banking transactions
• payment of debts, fines or bail
• release from jail or prison
• social services
• travel agency duties

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends that you:

• do not leave Sweden without valid insurance
• use as little cash as possible and look into the option of using debit cards and traveler's checks
• keep passports, tickets and money in a safe place at all times
• bring along names and phone numbers of immediate family or other contact persons
• pay attention to risks pertaining to alcohol, drugs and sexually transmitted diseases
• stay in touch with people at home on a regular basis

Addresses and phone numbers of embassies and consulates are normally listed in local telephone books or directories. 

In countries or places where Sweden has neither an embassy or consulate, you may contact to another Nordic embassy or another European embassy for advice.

Remember that, as a guest in a foreign country, you are expected to adhere to local laws, rules and customs.