General Information

Electricity
In Sweden the current given from wall outlets is 220 volts, 50 cycles (Hz).  If the wall outlets are different from those in your home country, you will need an adapter/converter to use your computer, electric razor, hairdryer, mobile phone charger, etc.

LADOK
SLU’s registration database (LADOK) contains specific information about you as a student obtained from your application.  It also includes details about what programme and courses you have been admitted to, which courses you are currently registered in, which courses you have completed and what grades you have received. Regulations about how information is registered in LADOK are detailed in a special statute and are governed by the Data Inspection Board.  According to data security law, these details are public, and each person has the right to acquire an official transcript of records.  You can read more about LADOK through the Student Portal and University Admissions.

Personal Identity Number
The Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) is given to all Swedish citizens.  Numbers are issued by the Swedish Taxation Office (Skatteverket) as part of the population register.  The number is used by authorities, health care services, schools and universities, banks and insurance companies, etc.  The personal identification number consists of ten digits and a hyphen.  The first six correspond to the person's birthday (YYMMDD), followed by a hyphen, three digit serial number and a checksum.  An odd ninth number is assigned to males and an even ninth number to females.  Personal identification numbers are public information in Sweden.

Pharmacy
A pharmacy in Sweden is called ‘Apotek’.  Pharmacies are located in all Swedish cities and towns and are open during regular business hours and often on weekends.  There is also a 24 hour pharmacy consultation hotline, the number is: 0771-450 450.

Post Office
The postal service in Sweden is called Posten AB.  In 2001, the decision was made to close all public post offices throughout Sweden.  Sweden now has Postal Service Points, which are most commonly maintained in grocery stores and petrol stations.  Yellow mailboxes are positioned throughout Sweden and can be used to post small mail items, such as letters.  The Swedish postal service is regarded as being very reliable.

Systembolaget
Systembolaget (commonly called System) is the government-owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden, and is the only retail store allowed to sell beverages with more than 3.5% alcohol.  To buy drinks at Systembolaget you need to be at least 20 years old.  Systembolaget is generally open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, and between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.  Always remember to carry photo I.D. with you when purchasing alcohol in Sweden.

Telephone
The telephone country code for Sweden is +46.  When making international calls always dial 00 followed by the country code.  The local area code is 018 for Uppsala, 090 for Umeå and 040 for Alnarp/Malmö.  The area code must be dialled before the local telephone number when ringing from a mobile telephone.
Mobile phones are easily purchased in Sweden, and mobile phone prepaid cards (kontantkort) can be purchased at grocery stores, tobacco stores and online.  Please note that the majority of students in Sweden, both international students and Swedish students, use a mobile phone instead of a fixed telephone.