New in Uppsala? Where to find help and important contacts

Last fact-checked:: October 8, 2026
Published:: October 8, 2026

This guide is a translation of the Swedish original. It has been checked against the original but has not yet been reviewed by a native speaker. If anything is unclear, the Swedish text and the authority’s own information apply.

The Fyris river in central Uppsala on a summer day, with leafy trees, a red bridge in the background and people sitting on the quay. — Photo: Szilas · Licence: Public domain (released by the author) · Image source

Summary

Being new in a country and a city is not easy. Letters can be hard to understand and it can be unclear who to talk to. This guide shows the first places to turn to in Uppsala. It does not replace advice about your own case – that comes from the right authority.

Start here: Vägvisaren

Vägvisaren (“the Guide”) is Uppsala municipality’s support for people who are new in Sweden and in Uppsala. They help you understand letters, notices and information, and tell you where to go or who to talk to. The staff speak several languages and can book an interpreter.

You can find Vägvisaren in three places in Uppsala:

Utbildnings- och jobbcenter (education and job centre), Bolandsgatan 4
Utbildnings- och jobbcenter, Gottsunda centrum (floor 3)
Kontaktcenter (contact centre) in Stadshuset (City Hall), Stadshusgatan 2

Opening hours differ between the places and change. Check them on the municipality’s page before you go. You can also email vagvisaren@uppsala.se.

Help with letters and authority contacts: Samhällsguiden

The Red Cross Samhällsguiden (“Community Guide”) in Uppsala supports you with administrative matters. For example, you can get help to understand letters, contact authorities and healthcare, or fill in applications. The support is given in a conversation with a volunteer and is free. If you do not speak Swedish they can arrange for an interpreter to join.

Important: Samhällsguiden cannot give legal help in migration cases. Book an appointment by phone on 018-13 55 10 or by email.

Healthcare and health

1177 – call 1177 for health advice and help finding the right care. Say when you book that you need an interpreter.
Migrationshälsan Cosmos offers a free, voluntary health examination for people who are asylum seekers, undocumented or newly arrived in Uppsala County. You receive a letter with an appointment.
112 is the number to call in a life-threatening emergency or if you need an ambulance.

Information from the municipality

Uppsala municipality collects information about refugee reception, school and preschool for newly arrived children, and activities for integration and job seeking on its Integration page.

If you have applied for asylum

Questions about your asylum case, housing and daily allowance are for the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Use My page (Min sida) or the contact options on the Migration Agency’s website. Read our guide on how the asylum process works.

Interpreters

In many situations you have the right to an interpreter, for example with authorities and in healthcare. Read more in the guide How do I get help from an interpreter?

Important phone numbers

112 – immediate danger to life, a crime in progress or an accident
114 14 – the police, when it is not an emergency
1177 – health advice

More contacts are listed under Important contacts below and on the page with all authority contacts.

Important contacts

External organisation

Vägvisaren (Uppsala kommun)

Helps people who are new in Sweden and Uppsala to understand letters, notices and information, and shows where to turn. Staff speak several languages and can book an interpreter.

Phone: Phone number and opening hours are on the official website.
Email: vagvisaren@uppsala.se
Official website: uppsala.se/vagvisaren